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 Welcomes Students at Orientation Day 2019
Published: June 14, 2019
Ohio Christian University was pleased to welcome 69 students to Orientation
Day 2019 on June 14. Incoming students started the morning doing activities
together where they had the opportunity to meet their fellow classmates.
After the students settled down, OCU Provost, Dr. Bradford Sample and Dr.
Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department Chair, encouraged the new
students to pursue academic excellence and to, above all, grow in Christ.
Jones also gave a warm welcome to the students saying, “We here are family,
and your faculty members here truly care about you the student and
Ohio Christian University was pleased to welcome 69 students to Orientation
Day 2019 on June 14. Incoming students started the morning doing activities
together where they had the opportunity to meet their fellow classmates.
After the students settled down, OCU Provost, Dr. Bradford Sample and Dr.
Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department Chair, encouraged the new
students to pursue
Ohio Christian University was pleased to welcome 69 students to Orientation
Day 2019 on June 14. Incoming students started the morning doing activities
together where they had the opportunity to
Remembering D-Day 75 Years Later
Published: June 6, 2019
On June 6th 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the shores of
Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the
operation as a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full
victory.” The bravery and strength shown on this day allowed soldiers to
infiltrate Europe and work to combat Adolf Hitler. D-Day commemorates the
first day of the Normandy landings and is still honored and remembered 75
years later.
Still the largest seaborne invasion in history, D-Day serves as a solemn
reminder of the sacrifices of soldiers and the international
On June 6th 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the shores of
Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the
operation as a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full
victory.” The bravery and strength shown on this day allowed soldiers to
infiltrate Europe and work to combat Adolf Hitler. D-Day commemorates the
first day of the Normandy
On June 6th 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the shores of
Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the
operation as a crusade in which “we will accept
Memorial Day
Published: May 22, 2019
By Dave Hirschler, Director of Brand Identity
Ohio Christian University is grateful for those who paid the ultimate price
for our freedom. It is with appreciation that we celebrate with our fellow
Americans in observing Memorial Day. Previously known as Decoration Day,
Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering and honoring persons who
have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
On a personal level, I love history and all things patriotic, as does my
wife. As such, our family has developed a tradition of attending a Memorial
Day service each year. We generally
By Dave Hirschler, Director of Brand Identity
Ohio Christian University is grateful for those who paid the ultimate price
for our freedom. It is with appreciation that we celebrate with our fellow
Americans in observing Memorial Day. Previously known as Decoration Day,
Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering and honoring persons who
have died while serving in the United States
By Dave Hirschler, Director of Brand Identity
Ohio Christian University is grateful for those who paid the ultimate price
for our freedom. It is with appreciation that we celebrate with our fellow
Remembering Sarah Dorsey
Published: May 10, 2019
The wife of Rev. Morton Dorsey, Ohio Christian University’s 5th president,
Sarah Dorsey, passed away at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, Ohio on Monday, May
6th, 2019. Rev. Dorsey served as the president from 1959-1964. During
Dorsey's years at Ohio Christian University, the Ohio Board of Education
awarded the University its first State Charter.
Sarah became very involved with the University while her husband was
president. She taught music and was the choir director during their time
here. We are grateful for everything Sarah and Rev. Morton Dorsey did for
Ohio Christian University. Our
The wife of Rev. Morton Dorsey, Ohio Christian University’s 5th president,
Sarah Dorsey, passed away at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, Ohio on Monday, May
6th, 2019. Rev. Dorsey served as the president from 1959-1964. During
Dorsey's years at Ohio Christian University, the Ohio Board of Education
awarded the University its first State Charter.
Sarah became very involved with the University while
The wife of Rev. Morton Dorsey, Ohio Christian University’s 5th president,
Sarah Dorsey, passed away at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, Ohio on Monday, May
6th, 2019. Rev. Dorsey served as the president
2019 Graduates Celebrate Commencement
Published: May 5, 2019
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Ohio Christian University held its 70th-year
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. There were 664 associate, bachelor, and master level graduates invited
to the Ohio ceremony that earned their degrees.
Kristen Muzzy was the 2019 Commencement Address speaker. Muzzy is the
President and co-founder of the World Alliance for the Volunteer Economy or
WAVE. As a survivor of human trafficking, Muzzy spoke about God’s love and
the plan He had for her trials in bringing her closer to Him. In her early
life, she felt like the
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Ohio Christian University held its 70th-year
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. There were 664 associate, bachelor, and master level graduates invited
to the Ohio ceremony that earned their degrees.
Kristen Muzzy was the 2019 Commencement Address speaker. Muzzy is the
President and co-founder of the World Alliance for the
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Ohio Christian University held its 70th-year
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. There were 664 associate, bachelor, and master
Archived Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian University Ranks #3 of Online Emergency Management Programs!
Published: August 6, 2018
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and
reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead
during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster
management and recovery, including providing immediate relief and rebuilding
and redeveloping communities.
Student Lesli Holt, Operations Manager for Warren County Ohio's Office of
Emergency Management, comments that “
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and
reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead
during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster
management and
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other
Importance of Strategic Planning at OCU
Published: July 30, 2018
By Dr. Hank Kelly, Provost
If you want to go to Los Angeles, California, you must decide how to get
there: by driving, taking the bus or train, flying, hitchhiking, or
walking. You must decide also when to go, what you will bring, and what to
do when you get there. In other words, you must make a plan, or you might
not ever get to Los Angeles.
Sometimes organizations spend too much time ‘putting out fires’ or
‘fighting alligators’ instead of ‘draining the swamp.’ We need to
spend more time on what is important, to spend more time on the dream than
the routine.
In the life cycle
By Dr. Hank Kelly, Provost
If you want to go to Los Angeles, California, you must decide how to get
there: by driving, taking the bus or train, flying, hitchhiking, or
walking. You must decide also when to go, what you will bring, and what to
do when you get there. In other words, you must make a plan, or you might
not ever get to Los Angeles.
Sometimes organizations spend too much time ‘
By Dr. Hank Kelly, Provost
If you want to go to Los Angeles, California, you must decide how to get
there: by driving, taking the bus or train, flying, hitchhiking, or
walking. You must decide
OCU Accepts Classic Learning Test and Offers Testing Site
Published: July 30, 2018
Ohio Christian University now accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an
admissions test alternative to the ACT and SAT for both the on-campus and
OCUOnline Plus undergraduate programs.
OCU is also a newly-added testing site offering the CLT on its main campus in
Circleville, Ohio. OCU has long offered scholarships based on ACT and SAT
scores and now offers those same scholarships based on CLT scores.
“As we continue to offer innovative programs to attract and serve more
students, we see the need to offer an innovative admissions path that better
serves our overall student
Ohio Christian University now accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an
admissions test alternative to the ACT and SAT for both the on-campus and
OCUOnline Plus undergraduate programs.
OCU is also a newly-added testing site offering the CLT on its main campus in
Circleville, Ohio. OCU has long offered scholarships based on ACT and SAT
scores and now offers those same scholarships based
Ohio Christian University now accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an
admissions test alternative to the ACT and SAT for both the on-campus and
OCUOnline Plus undergraduate programs.
OCU is
#14 Best Organizational Leadership Program Nationwide
Published: July 30, 2018
Ohio Christian University has been ranked as offering among the best
Organizational Leadership programs in the country.
This ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and
university rankings and resources, puts Ohio Christian University in 14th
place for Best Organizational Leadership Degrees. The complete ranking list
is available here.
According to College Choice, the rankings are based on institutional
reputation, graduation rates, selectivity, and faculty resources. Data for
ranking comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS
database, U.S.
Ohio Christian University has been ranked as offering among the best
Organizational Leadership programs in the country.
This ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and
university rankings and resources, puts Ohio Christian University in 14th
place for Best Organizational Leadership Degrees. The complete ranking list
is available here.
According to College Choice, the
Ohio Christian University has been ranked as offering among the best
Organizational Leadership programs in the country.
This ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and
Orientation Day Added Anticipating Enrollment Growth
Published: July 6, 2018
On Friday, June 29th, 2018 Ohio Christian University held its third
Orientation Day for students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year. Fifty
new students learned about the fellowship, education, and activities offered
at the university.
Fully prepared to ensure incoming students succeed, faculty and staff showed
their exceptional level of care and servant leadership in preparing them for
the upcoming school year. Joe Wuest, Assistant Vice President of Student
Development, explained that “God created our uniqueness and individuality
to impact the world for His Kingdom.” He shared
On Friday, June 29th, 2018 Ohio Christian University held its third
Orientation Day for students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year. Fifty
new students learned about the fellowship, education, and activities offered
at the university.
Fully prepared to ensure incoming students succeed, faculty and staff showed
their exceptional level of care and servant leadership in preparing them
On Friday, June 29th, 2018 Ohio Christian University held its third
Orientation Day for students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year. Fifty
new students learned about the fellowship, education
