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
Archived Articles of Interest
First 2018 Orientation Day Biggest Ever!
Published: May 21, 2018
Seventy-eight newly enrolled Ohio Christian University students, including
nine transferring in from other schools, attended the day-long initial
orientation with luncheon and campus tours.
This day was the first of OCU’s several annual spring and summer
orientation days. The next days are scheduled for June 8 and 29.
Many students were accompanied by parents who appeared as eager to learn
about the University experience as their daughters and sons.
The day began at 8:30 am with a continental breakfast and concluded after
walking tours of campus facilities. Cool-to-warm sunny
Seventy-eight newly enrolled Ohio Christian University students, including
nine transferring in from other schools, attended the day-long initial
orientation with luncheon and campus tours.
This day was the first of OCU’s several annual spring and summer
orientation days. The next days are scheduled for June 8 and 29.
Many students were accompanied by parents who appeared as eager to learn
Seventy-eight newly enrolled Ohio Christian University students, including
nine transferring in from other schools, attended the day-long initial
orientation with luncheon and campus tours.
This
Experience Spring Semester 2019 in Italy!
Published: March 29, 2018
OCUOnline Plus is partnering with Saints Bible Institute (SBI) to provide
students an opportunity to spend a semester in Italy. In the spring of 2019,
the semester-long trip will enable students to achieve personal growth,
mission training, and intensive learning as they study and explore with a
community of learners.
“This semester of study in Italy will expand students’ horizons as they
interact with Italians, SBI’s faith-filled faculty, and fellow students
from across the United States. Participants will be able to walk the same
paths as Apostle Paul, sit in Leonardo da Vinci’s
OCUOnline Plus is partnering with Saints Bible Institute (SBI) to provide
students an opportunity to spend a semester in Italy. In the spring of 2019,
the semester-long trip will enable students to achieve personal growth,
mission training, and intensive learning as they study and explore with a
community of learners.
“This semester of study in Italy will expand students’ horizons as they
OCUOnline Plus is partnering with Saints Bible Institute (SBI) to provide
students an opportunity to spend a semester in Italy. In the spring of 2019,
the semester-long trip will enable students to
OCU Online BA in English Ranked #1 for Affordability
Published: March 22, 2018
SR Education Group has ranked Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor
of Arts in English the #1 program most affordable for a yearly tuition of
only $5,940.
Courses include History and Nature of the English Language, Literary
Criticism, and Studies in Shakespeare.
Learn more about SR Education Group and view its methodology.
SR Education Group has ranked Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor
of Arts in English the #1 program most affordable for a yearly tuition of
only $5,940.
Courses include History and Nature of the English Language, Literary
Criticism, and Studies in Shakespeare.
Learn more about SR Education Group and view its methodology.
SR Education Group has ranked Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor
of Arts in English the #1 program most affordable for a yearly tuition of
only $5,940.
Courses include History and Nature
Serving the Great Commission
Published: February 7, 2018
The Great Commission is a directive that Ohio Christian University and World
Gospel Mission take seriously. Through OCU’s Student Center in 2018, World
Gospel Mission Student Involvement Director Natasha Grimmett will be leading
three separate teams of OCU students around the world to join in the
long-term work that God is doing.
The first trip is schedule for March 2-9 to Choluteca, Honduras. A team of
nine students will be serving alongside long-term missionaries there to
complete a variety work projects and support the children’s ministry.
The second team will be serving in
The Great Commission is a directive that Ohio Christian University and World
Gospel Mission take seriously. Through OCU’s Student Center in 2018, World
Gospel Mission Student Involvement Director Natasha Grimmett will be leading
three separate teams of OCU students around the world to join in the
long-term work that God is doing.
The first trip is schedule for March 2-9 to Choluteca,
The Great Commission is a directive that Ohio Christian University and World
Gospel Mission take seriously. Through OCU’s Student Center in 2018, World
Gospel Mission Student Involvement
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
