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
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.
Archived Articles of Interest
Hollyn Concert Fills MPAC To Capacity
Published: December 19, 2017
Ohio Christian University hosted a capacity crowd that came to see Christian
music artist Hollyn in their new Ministry
Ohio Christian University hosted a capacity crowd that came to see Christian
music artist Hollyn in their new Ministry
Ohio Christian University hosted a capacity crowd that came to see Christian
music artist Hollyn in their new Ministry
A Christ-Centered Education
Published: December 15, 2017
Ohio Christian University has adopted a list of what it declares are its
“Core Values”. These values are meant to succinctly describe who we
are–at a glance–and can be found above our guest parking signs on campus,
on the banners hanging from light poles, even on the walls over some of our
drinking fountains. The list is not long and includes such values as
Bible-based, Ministry Motivated, Student Oriented, and so on. And, while
all these values are important, none is more important than
Christ-Centered.
But what does it mean to offer a Christ-centered education?
In the 17th
Ohio Christian University has adopted a list of what it declares are its
“Core Values”. These values are meant to succinctly describe who we
are–at a glance–and can be found above our guest parking signs on campus,
on the banners hanging from light poles, even on the walls over some of our
drinking fountains. The list is not long and includes such values as
Bible-based, Ministry Motivated
Ohio Christian University has adopted a list of what it declares are its
“Core Values”. These values are meant to succinctly describe who we
are–at a glance–and can be found above our guest
Discover Service above Self in Criminal Justice
Published: November 28, 2017
By Professor Sean Lovell
When hearing the words ‘criminal justice’, most of us think of uniformed
men and women policing streets in our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year! Such may be true. However, there are many specialized careers in the
U.S. criminal justice service that students may pursue.
The U.S. criminal justice system comprises three parts: Law enforcement,
courts, and corrections. OCU’s Criminal Justice Program covers these and
much more. The program provides knowledge across the spectrum of criminal
justice system operations. It uniquely integrates classroom
By Professor Sean Lovell
When hearing the words ‘criminal justice’, most of us think of uniformed
men and women policing streets in our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year! Such may be true. However, there are many specialized careers in the
U.S. criminal justice service that students may pursue.
The U.S. criminal justice system comprises three parts: Law enforcement,
courts, and
By Professor Sean Lovell
When hearing the words ‘criminal justice’, most of us think of uniformed
men and women policing streets in our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year! Such may be
The Best Schools Ranks OCU #11 of 30 Best Online Christian Colleges!
Published: October 26, 2017
The Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University 11th of 30 best online
Christian colleges. The Best Schools list of online Christian colleges is
compiled from reports published by U.S. News
The Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University 11th of 30 best online
Christian colleges. The Best Schools list of online Christian colleges is
compiled from reports published by U.S. News
The Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University 11th of 30 best online
Christian colleges. The Best Schools list of online Christian colleges is
compiled from reports published by U.S. News
Student Profile: Amber Ginter on “What No One Tells You About Coming to OCU”
Published: August 27, 2019
As a senior, I often hear excited, uncertain freshmen asking: "Excuse me, do
you know where Room CE201 is?”, "Have you ever had Professor X?", "Is she
as intimidating as everyone says?", "How do I know what to major in?", "Why
doesn't this guy who seems perfect for me text me back?" My answers,
respectively, are: “Yes, yes, and yes. But, she's awesome. Don't worry.
You will figure it out. I am not one to give ‘guy advice’, but maybe God
is telling you he isn't ‘the one’?”
Such questions go on and on. One thing remains: No matter what your class at
the start of a new school year,
As a senior, I often hear excited, uncertain freshmen asking: "Excuse me, do
you know where Room CE201 is?”, "Have you ever had Professor X?", "Is she
as intimidating as everyone says?", "How do I know what to major in?", "Why
doesn't this guy who seems perfect for me text me back?" My answers,
respectively, are: “Yes, yes, and yes. But, she's awesome. Don't worry.
You will figure it out. I
As a senior, I often hear excited, uncertain freshmen asking: "Excuse me, do
you know where Room CE201 is?”, "Have you ever had Professor X?", "Is she
as intimidating as everyone says?", "How do I
