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
Ohio Christian Ranked Among Best Online Logistics Management Programs
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide, OSR uses student
satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers
online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from
that program, how many
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report
Ohio Christian Partners to Serve Community
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of Circleville and the
surrounding area to serve those in need. This year, Ohio Christian has
partnered with United Way of Pickaway County to expand the reach and scope by
coordinating and bringing together the organizations individual efforts to
serve the community.
Ohio Christian has traditionally held Community Action Day in the spring but
switched to fall this year so the day would coincide with
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of Circleville and the
surrounding area to serve those in need. This year, Ohio Christian has
partnered with United Way of Pickaway County to expand the reach and scope by
coordinating and bringing
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of
Dr. Izzard Serves Georgia
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University strives to have faculty members who not only serve
their students with excellence, but also serve their community in big ways.
Dr. Laklieshia Izzard, an affiliate professor for the Social Science
Department at the Ohio Christian University Atlanta site, exemplifies this
goal for Christian service to the community. Her newest role as President of
the American Counseling Association of Georgia (ACA of Georgia), will allow
her to serve counselors across the entire state.
Izzard is a licensed counselor and clinical supervisor with a doctorate in
counselor
Ohio Christian University strives to have faculty members who not only serve
their students with excellence, but also serve their community in big ways.
Dr. Laklieshia Izzard, an affiliate professor for the Social Science
Department at the Ohio Christian University Atlanta site, exemplifies this
goal for Christian service to the community. Her newest role as President of
the American
Ohio Christian University strives to have faculty members who not only serve
their students with excellence, but also serve their community in big ways.
Dr. Laklieshia Izzard, an affiliate
Ohio Christian Welcomes the Abiding Class
Published: August 17, 2019
Ohio Christian University campus welcomed the class of 2023 to campus on
Saturday, August 17. Over 100 students and their parents converged on campus,
organizing dorm rooms, attending meetings and hugging farewells.
As the students were occupied, Ohio Christian President Dr. Jon Kulaga and
his wife, Lena, met with the parents over coffee. The Kulagas advised them on
how to effectively support their student as they transition to college life
and assured the parents that their students would be well cared for.
“When I’m on campus, I’m looking at the students as a mom,” Lena
said. “We
Ohio Christian University campus welcomed the class of 2023 to campus on
Saturday, August 17. Over 100 students and their parents converged on campus,
organizing dorm rooms, attending meetings and hugging farewells.
As the students were occupied, Ohio Christian President Dr. Jon Kulaga and
his wife, Lena, met with the parents over coffee. The Kulagas advised them on
how to effectively
Ohio Christian University campus welcomed the class of 2023 to campus on
Saturday, August 17. Over 100 students and their parents converged on campus,
organizing dorm rooms, attending meetings and
Ohio Christian Prepares for Students Return
Published: August 8, 2019
With just three days before athletes move in to the dorms and the remainder
of students coming a week later, resident assistants (RA) had an active first
day on campus. The RA’s moved back into the dorms on Aug 7 and immediately
got to know one another through team building activities.
For the male RAs this began with a “Wild West” name learning game
complete with finger six-shooters. After demonstrating who had the fastest
name learning skills in the west, Resident Director Kasey Summerer led them
to the disc golf course for a friendly game. The group of guys bonded as they
“brushed
With just three days before athletes move in to the dorms and the remainder
of students coming a week later, resident assistants (RA) had an active first
day on campus. The RA’s moved back into the dorms on Aug 7 and immediately
got to know one another through team building activities.
For the male RAs this began with a “Wild West” name learning game
complete with finger six-shooters. After
With just three days before athletes move in to the dorms and the remainder
of students coming a week later, resident assistants (RA) had an active first
day on campus. The RA’s moved back into the
Archived Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian University Celebrates Circleville's 115th Pumpkin Show
Published: October 22, 2018
Billed as the ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth’, the 115-year-old Circleville
Pumpkin Show drew over 300,000 participants on October 16 through 19.
Recognized as Ohio’s oldest festival, the show is a ‘standout’ event
that features everything pumpkin, including a 1,607-pound pumpkin and the
‘World’s largest pumpkin pie,’ along with popular
pumpkin-foodstuffs—from candy to donuts to burgers to ice cream, and much
more.
Each day, Ohio Christian University (OCU) faculty, staff, and students
participated in the floats parade on an OCU-designed float featuring its “A
Future with a History”
Billed as the ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth’, the 115-year-old Circleville
Pumpkin Show drew over 300,000 participants on October 16 through 19.
Recognized as Ohio’s oldest festival, the show is a ‘standout’ event
that features everything pumpkin, including a 1,607-pound pumpkin and the
‘World’s largest pumpkin pie,’ along with popular
pumpkin-foodstuffs—from candy to donuts to burgers to ice
Billed as the ‘Greatest Free Show on Earth’, the 115-year-old Circleville
Pumpkin Show drew over 300,000 participants on October 16 through 19.
Recognized as Ohio’s oldest festival, the show is a ‘
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Opens!
Published: October 11, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and the College of Adult
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and the College of Adult
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and the College of Adult
October Preview Day – A Compelling Experience
Published: October 9, 2018
Nearly one hundred prospective students and parents visited Ohio Christian
University during Homecoming Weekend on the University's main Circleville,
Ohio, campus for October Preview Day.
The visitors received guided tours of the campus decorated for Homecoming
festivities. They attended a chapel service, met with future professors and
athletics coaches, and dined in the cafeteria, experiencing a Residential
Undergraduate Program.
In the afternoon, faculty conducted sample classes featuring their
disciplines. They included Criminal Investigations for Criminal Justice,
English
Nearly one hundred prospective students and parents visited Ohio Christian
University during Homecoming Weekend on the University's main Circleville,
Ohio, campus for October Preview Day.
The visitors received guided tours of the campus decorated for Homecoming
festivities. They attended a chapel service, met with future professors and
athletics coaches, and dined in the cafeteria,
Nearly one hundred prospective students and parents visited Ohio Christian
University during Homecoming Weekend on the University's main Circleville,
Ohio, campus for October Preview Day.
The
AGS Insights: Interview with Recruiter Janice Chilcote
Published: October 5, 2018
Q: How does OCU’s Adult
Q: How does OCU’s Adult
Q: How does OCU’s Adult
AGS Student Testimonial: Ludmilla Akpa
Published: October 5, 2018
I migrated from Africa with my three children to the United States in 2016.
We settled in Chicago. Other than my native African language, I spoke only
French. So, to acquire English quickly, I enrolled in English as a Second
Language class.
After becoming relatively fluent in speaking and writing in English, I found
I was not satisfied with the education offered at the community college near
where I live. I felt I could better advance myself elsewhere where I could
enroll in higher-level studies. I wanted to integrate a valuable university
education with my religious values.
I sought
I migrated from Africa with my three children to the United States in 2016.
We settled in Chicago. Other than my native African language, I spoke only
French. So, to acquire English quickly, I enrolled in English as a Second
Language class.
After becoming relatively fluent in speaking and writing in English, I found
I was not satisfied with the education offered at the community college near
I migrated from Africa with my three children to the United States in 2016.
We settled in Chicago. Other than my native African language, I spoke only
French. So, to acquire English quickly, I
