Ohio Christian University has participated in the Higher Learning Commission’s Persistence and Completion Academy for the past two years. This group of around 20 institutions collaborate on ideas to improve retention and graduation rates. Through this collaboration, Ohio Christian has worked on several initiatives for both the Adult & Graduate Studies (AGS) and Traditional programs to improve first to second-year retention rates.
As part of this effort, the university enacted programs to intentionally reach students at greater academic risk through coaching and tutoring. One example of a program meant to improve student retention is the recently launched personalized coaching program aimed at providing hands-on assistance to students within the AGS program. Since its inception in 2018, the program has seen a 6% increase in first course persistence of new students and a 7% increase in second course pass rate.
As a result of efforts like the personalized coaching program, retention rates have increased 13%. The current retention rate from first to second-year is 70%, which is similar to peer institutions who offer open-enrollment for online classes.
The university is committed to building on this positive trend through the introduction of new orientations for AGS and traditional students, as well as, the creation of an Early Alert System to notify advisors when students are at risk of failing a course.
Ohio Christian will continue to review existing retention programs, improve or restructure them as needed, and initiate new strategies to help students succeed and persist. By developing better programs that equip students for success, OCU seeks to continue its mission to prepare students to impact the world for Christ.
Articles of Interest
2021 Refer-A-Friend Program Announced
Published: February 2, 2021
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is pleased to announce an ongoing
Refer-A-Friend Program where individuals can invite a friend to learn more
about OCU. A monthly drawing for referrers and a scholarship for prospective
students make this an excellent opportunity to refer a friend.
The referrer should enter his or her friend’s information at
ohiochristian.edu/referafriend. This will automatically qualify the referrer
to enter that month’s drawing for a $50 e-gift card of the winner’s
choice and qualify the referred student for a Refer-A-Friend Scholarship.
Refer A Friend
Program
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is pleased to announce an ongoing
Refer-A-Friend Program where individuals can invite a friend to learn more
about OCU. A monthly drawing for referrers and a scholarship for prospective
students make this an excellent opportunity to refer a friend.
The referrer should enter his or her friend’s information at
ohiochristian.edu/referafriend. This will
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is pleased to announce an ongoing
Refer-A-Friend Program where individuals can invite a friend to learn more
about OCU. A monthly drawing for referrers and a
Incoming Campus Students Attend Summer Orientation
Published: July 13, 2020
On July 10th, Ohio Christian University welcomed 62 incoming students to
campus for the first Orientation Day of the summer. Orientation Days are
for incoming students to the Undergraduate Campus Program to register for
classes and prepare for their first semester on campus.
OCU had several COVID-19 procedures in place including taking temperatures,
requiring masks, social distancing guidelines, and hand sanitizing stations
to help ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
OCU President Dr. Jon S. Kulaga welcomed the students and encouraged them to
be part of God’s story. Students and
On July 10th, Ohio Christian University welcomed 62 incoming students to
campus for the first Orientation Day of the summer. Orientation Days are
for incoming students to the Undergraduate Campus Program to register for
classes and prepare for their first semester on campus.
OCU had several COVID-19 procedures in place including taking temperatures,
requiring masks, social distancing
On July 10th, Ohio Christian University welcomed 62 incoming students to
campus for the first Orientation Day of the summer. Orientation Days are
for incoming students to the Undergraduate Campus
Dr. Melvin Maxwell Graduates to Glory
Published: July 4, 2020
Melvin Maxwell was known as a powerful man of God and prayer warrior by those
who knew him. On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Dr. Maxwell graduated from this life
to his eternal home and was united with his Savior whom he loved. He was born
in Georgetown, Ohio, on November 15, 1921, and grew up during the Great
Depression. Though his mother died at an early age, his father was a godly
man and raised him and his brother Millard to follow Christ no matter how
hard the situation.
On August 25, 1942, Maxwell married his wife, Laura. They had three children
together: Lawrence (Larry), John, and
Melvin Maxwell was known as a powerful man of God and prayer warrior by those
who knew him. On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Dr. Maxwell graduated from this life
to his eternal home and was united with his Savior whom he loved. He was born
in Georgetown, Ohio, on November 15, 1921, and grew up during the Great
Depression. Though his mother died at an early age, his father was a godly
man and
Melvin Maxwell was known as a powerful man of God and prayer warrior by those
who knew him. On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Dr. Maxwell graduated from this life
to his eternal home and was united with
Prospective Students Have Many Options to Experience Campus this Summer
Published: June 4, 2020
Ohio Christian University is excited to offer several options to connect with
prospective students of our Undergraduate Campus Program over the summer
and help them experience OCU:
Option 1: Individual Campus Visits
Ohio Christian University is now open for prospective students to visit
campus. The university has social distancing procedures in place to help
everyone on campus stay safe. Learn more.
Option 2: Virtual Preview Day
Join us for a Virtual Preview Day on Friday, June 26th! Learn why students
choose OCU, ask our panelists questions, virtually tour campus, win prizes,
Ohio Christian University is excited to offer several options to connect with
prospective students of our Undergraduate Campus Program over the summer
and help them experience OCU:
Option 1: Individual Campus Visits
Ohio Christian University is now open for prospective students to visit
campus. The university has social distancing procedures in place to help
everyone on campus stay safe.
Ohio Christian University is excited to offer several options to connect with
prospective students of our Undergraduate Campus Program over the summer
and help them experience OCU:
Option 1:
Summer Institute to Offer New Online Courses and Certificates
Published: May 5, 2020
Ohio Christian University’s Summer Institute provides the opportunity for
professionals, K-12 teachers, professors, university students, and high
school students to complete online graduate or undergraduate level courses at
a reduced rate.
OCU is also introducing ten new stand-alone certificate programs as part of
the Summer Institute for anyone interested in furthering his or her skills in
an area. Most courses begin June 1, 2020.
Graduate Level Courses for Teachers and Professors
These courses are designed to help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work
towards a graduate degree.
Ohio Christian University’s Summer Institute provides the opportunity for
professionals, K-12 teachers, professors, university students, and high
school students to complete online graduate or undergraduate level courses at
a reduced rate.
OCU is also introducing ten new stand-alone certificate programs as part of
the Summer Institute for anyone interested in furthering his or her skills in
Ohio Christian University’s Summer Institute provides the opportunity for
professionals, K-12 teachers, professors, university students, and high
school students to complete online graduate or
Archived Articles of Interest
Community Action Day - It was a GREAT Day!
Published: April 18, 2019
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service attitude taught at OCU.
With help from Volunteer Economy and RPHF Solid Waste District, students were
equipped to effectively serve and feel prepared to do so. Students served in
various capacities
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400
OCU Scholars Day 2019 Has Big Winners!
Published: March 22, 2019
Each year Ohio Christian University conducts a Scholars Day where applicants
compete for over $300,000 worth of scholarships.
Scholars Day provides an opportunity to compete for the Creative Communities
Scholarship, the Ohio's Future Scholarship and the Homeschool Excellence
Scholarship, which are each worth $50,000 and guarantee a coveted internship
position. Also awarded is OCU’s highest scholarship, the Distinguished
Trailblazer Scholarship, which covers all tuition costs for a four year
degree.
During Scholars Day, students compete for the full-ride tuition scholarship
to OCU
Each year Ohio Christian University conducts a Scholars Day where applicants
compete for over $300,000 worth of scholarships.
Scholars Day provides an opportunity to compete for the Creative Communities
Scholarship, the Ohio's Future Scholarship and the Homeschool Excellence
Scholarship, which are each worth $50,000 and guarantee a coveted internship
position. Also awarded is OCU’s highest
Each year Ohio Christian University conducts a Scholars Day where applicants
compete for over $300,000 worth of scholarships.
Scholars Day provides an opportunity to compete for the Creative
State Representative Rick Carfagna Visits Campus
Published: March 11, 2019
On Friday, March 8th, State Representative Rick Carfagna (Chair, Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education) visited Ohio Christian University (OCU). He
was welcomed to the president’s office by Dr. Jon Kulaga (President), Ted
Perry (Chief Financial Officer) and Craig Brown (Chief Relationship
Officer) where the group discussed multiple partnerships related to
micro-credentialing, entrepreneurship and workforce development for regional
incumbent industry.
Rep. Carfagna received a campus tour from OCU students, then ended his time
on campus with a meeting in the Robert W. Plaster Free
On Friday, March 8th, State Representative Rick Carfagna (Chair, Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education) visited Ohio Christian University (OCU). He
was welcomed to the president’s office by Dr. Jon Kulaga (President), Ted
Perry (Chief Financial Officer) and Craig Brown (Chief Relationship
Officer) where the group discussed multiple partnerships related to
micro-credentialing,
On Friday, March 8th, State Representative Rick Carfagna (Chair, Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education) visited Ohio Christian University (OCU). He
was welcomed to the president’s office by Dr.
Survey Results: Online Offers Community
Published: February 27, 2019
Ohio Christian University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness
recently participated in a national assessment called “The Thriving
Survey.” Respondents to this online survey included
126 Traditional Undergraduate students and 275 students in the College of
Adult and Graduate Studies. One of the most interesting findings
was the high level of community in OCU’s adult and online classes.
83% of adult and online students agree there is a “strong sense of
community among students in this program.”
What is it about OCU’s adult and online programs that create this sense of
Ohio Christian University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness
recently participated in a national assessment called “The Thriving
Survey.” Respondents to this online survey included
126 Traditional Undergraduate students and 275 students in the College of
Adult and Graduate Studies. One of the most interesting findings
was the high level of community in OCU’s adult and online classes
Ohio Christian University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness
recently participated in a national assessment called “The Thriving
Survey.” Respondents to this online survey included
126
Information Technology & Data Analytics Degrees Open Doors to World-Changing Jobs
Published: February 5, 2019
Ohio Christian University’s Information Technology and Data Analytics
degrees train students for high-tech careers in today’s ever-changing
environment. By offering both a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
and a Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics, OCU prepares students to meet
all the challenges in these continually growing and evolving fields.
The Information Technology major teaches students to integrate information
technology with business management and equips them to plan, implement, and
support information systems. With a Data Analytics degree, students learn to
Ohio Christian University’s Information Technology and Data Analytics
degrees train students for high-tech careers in today’s ever-changing
environment. By offering both a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
and a Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics, OCU prepares students to meet
all the challenges in these continually growing and evolving fields.
The Information Technology major
Ohio Christian University’s Information Technology and Data Analytics
degrees train students for high-tech careers in today’s ever-changing
environment. By offering both a Bachelor of Science in
