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
OCU Boasts Mighty Network with OARnet
Published: August 5, 2019
Ohio Christian University now boasts a mighty network thanks to recent
upgrades and optimization by John Bocook; Assistant Vice President of
Information Technology and Jared Bader, Director of Network Operations. With
over 3,600 students – 80% of which are remote – a stable network
connection is crucial for students and professors.
"There have been issues in the past where we have had to shut down our
internet connection, which, in turn, shuts down our user authentication,"
Bocook said. "Our remote students couldn't login in to the learning
management system. Because of this new
Ohio Christian University now boasts a mighty network thanks to recent
upgrades and optimization by John Bocook; Assistant Vice President of
Information Technology and Jared Bader, Director of Network Operations. With
over 3,600 students – 80% of which are remote – a stable network
connection is crucial for students and professors.
"There have been issues in the past where we have had to
Ohio Christian University now boasts a mighty network thanks to recent
upgrades and optimization by John Bocook; Assistant Vice President of
Information Technology and Jared Bader, Director of
Ohio Christian to Host Fifth Annual Forge Leadership Summit
Published: July 19, 2019
Ohio Christian University will host the fifth annual Forge Leadership Summit
on July 23-27. The five-day conference is the Forge Leadership Network’s
foundational event that on-ramps students into their yearlong mentorship
academy to develop the next generation of conservative leaders. Forge will
welcome 75-80 young adults to the summit where they will participate in
dynamic trainings, professional development programs and listen to over two
dozen renowned speakers on current issues.
“Forge is raising up a farm system for the conservative movement in the
state [of Ohio],” said Co-
Ohio Christian University will host the fifth annual Forge Leadership Summit
on July 23-27. The five-day conference is the Forge Leadership Network’s
foundational event that on-ramps students into their yearlong mentorship
academy to develop the next generation of conservative leaders. Forge will
welcome 75-80 young adults to the summit where they will participate in
dynamic trainings,
Ohio Christian University will host the fifth annual Forge Leadership Summit
on July 23-27. The five-day conference is the Forge Leadership Network’s
foundational event that on-ramps students into
Ohio Christian Offers New Concentrations for Online Business Program
Published: July 18, 2019
Ohio Christian University recently announced two new concentrations in the
Bachelor of Arts in Business degree for students in the Adult
Ohio Christian University recently announced two new concentrations in the
Bachelor of Arts in Business degree for students in the Adult
Ohio Christian University recently announced two new concentrations in the
Bachelor of Arts in Business degree for students in the Adult
Atlanta Site Honored by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce
Published: July 16, 2019
Last week, Ohio Christian University’s Atlanta site in Georgia was awarded
Member of the Week by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce for outstanding
commitment and service to the community. President of the Chamber Monica
Colbert presented the award with two other members of the chamber to the
campus. The Atlanta site has been a member of the Chamber for four years and
has worked hard to impact the surrounding community, which boast over 6000
businesses.
In an effort serve their community, the Atlanta site has opened up their
chapel for community events, including several job fairs
Last week, Ohio Christian University’s Atlanta site in Georgia was awarded
Member of the Week by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce for outstanding
commitment and service to the community. President of the Chamber Monica
Colbert presented the award with two other members of the chamber to the
campus. The Atlanta site has been a member of the Chamber for four years and
has worked hard to
Last week, Ohio Christian University’s Atlanta site in Georgia was awarded
Member of the Week by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce for outstanding
commitment and service to the community.
Emergency Management Degree Now Offered Online
Published: June 17, 2019
A bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management is now available
through Ohio Christian University's Adult
A bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management is now available
through Ohio Christian University's Adult
A bachelor’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management is now available
through Ohio Christian University's Adult
Archived Articles of Interest
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
Criminal Justice Program Keeps Students Current
Published: September 7, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Criminal Justice Program students
participated in several learning enrichment events recently that included
attending expert advisory council discussions, touring an Ohio penal
institution, and observing canine-assisted narcotics crime apprehension.
Criminal Justice Advisory Council Meeting
OCU’s Criminal Justice Department held its annual Criminal Justice
Advisory Council meeting. The Council collaborates with the Criminal Justice
Program director to ensure students receive a current and comprehensive
curriculum that prepares them to succeed in
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Criminal Justice Program students
participated in several learning enrichment events recently that included
attending expert advisory council discussions, touring an Ohio penal
institution, and observing canine-assisted narcotics crime apprehension.
Criminal Justice Advisory Council Meeting
OCU’s Criminal Justice Department held its annual Criminal Justice
Ohio Christian University (OCU) Criminal Justice Program students
participated in several learning enrichment events recently that included
attending expert advisory council discussions, touring an
