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
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
How to Become a Successful Online Learner
Published: October 1, 2018
By Dr. Hank Kelly, Provost, and Dr. Scott Marsee, Dean, College of Adult and
Graduate Studies
Managing Time
Work on your class work every day. Don’t try to do everything on the
weekend. Life will get in the way. You want to improve your thinking every
day. Your subconscious mind will continue thinking.
When Hank was an online student, on Monday through Thursday he worked on
homework, studied, read, participated in discussions 6:00-7:00 am, noon-1:00
pm, 5:00-6:00 pm, and 7:00-10:00 pm. On Friday evenings, he didn’t always
work, but he was back at it on Saturdays. Sometimes he took
By Dr. Hank Kelly, Provost, and Dr. Scott Marsee, Dean, College of Adult and
Graduate Studies
Managing Time
Work on your class work every day. Don’t try to do everything on the
weekend. Life will get in the way. You want to improve your thinking every
day. Your subconscious mind will continue thinking.
When Hank was an online student, on Monday through Thursday he worked on
homework,
By Dr. Hank Kelly, Provost, and Dr. Scott Marsee, Dean, College of Adult and
Graduate Studies
Managing Time
Work on your class work every day. Don’t try to do everything on the
weekend. Life will
Calling Harrison College Students!
Published: September 19, 2018
Welcome, Harrison College Students! Let Ohio Christian University help you
finish what you started at Harrison College!
Ohio Christian University’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies offers
degree programs at its sites or entirely online.
Harrison College students at its Grove City, Ohio’s campus may apply to
enroll and to transfer credit hours so their studies are not interrupted by
Harrison College’s closing. Up to $500 Partnership Discount per semester
is being offered to transferring Harrison College students.
Contact an Ohio Christian University recruiter today! Our
Welcome, Harrison College Students! Let Ohio Christian University help you
finish what you started at Harrison College!
Ohio Christian University’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies offers
degree programs at its sites or entirely online.
Harrison College students at its Grove City, Ohio’s campus may apply to
enroll and to transfer credit hours so their studies are not interrupted by
Welcome, Harrison College Students! Let Ohio Christian University help you
finish what you started at Harrison College!
Ohio Christian University’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies offers
OCU Celebrates Becoming a Purple Heart University
Published: September 11, 2018
On Tuesday evening, September 11, Ohio Christian University (OCU) celebrated
becoming a Purple Heart University in conjunction with a community event,
"Lest We Forget," a service remembering the events of 9/11/2001. An honor
guard posted colors, Dr. Jon Kulaga shared a proclamation with those in
attendance, and the honor guard concluded their portion of the program with
taps.
Other highlights of the evening were performances by Dr. Dione Bennett, the
University Chamber Singers, the Circleville Men's Barbershop Chorus, and the
Pumpkin Show Band of Circleville, Ohio. Pastor Carter
On Tuesday evening, September 11, Ohio Christian University (OCU) celebrated
becoming a Purple Heart University in conjunction with a community event,
"Lest We Forget," a service remembering the events of 9/11/2001. An honor
guard posted colors, Dr. Jon Kulaga shared a proclamation with those in
attendance, and the honor guard concluded their portion of the program with
taps.
Other
On Tuesday evening, September 11, Ohio Christian University (OCU) celebrated
becoming a Purple Heart University in conjunction with a community event,
"Lest We Forget," a service remembering the
Secretary of State Husted Shares Plan to Innovate and Invest
Published: September 10, 2018
Secretary of State Jon A. Husted met with Ohio Christian University (OCU),
Circleville, and Pickaway County officials at the Robert W. Plaster Free
Enterprise Center to discuss Attorney General Mike DeWine’s and his “Ohio
Prosperity Plan” that they will implement if elected Ohio Governor and Lt.
Governor.
The Plan provides for training to give Ohioans 21st-century technology job
skills through funding completion of 10,000 training certificates for skills
such as basic computer software coding and data analytics. Short courses will
cost around $600 each, offered by the likes of the
Secretary of State Jon A. Husted met with Ohio Christian University (OCU),
Circleville, and Pickaway County officials at the Robert W. Plaster Free
Enterprise Center to discuss Attorney General Mike DeWine’s and his “Ohio
Prosperity Plan” that they will implement if elected Ohio Governor and Lt.
Governor.
The Plan provides for training to give Ohioans 21st-century technology job
skills
Secretary of State Jon A. Husted met with Ohio Christian University (OCU),
Circleville, and Pickaway County officials at the Robert W. Plaster Free
Enterprise Center to discuss Attorney General
