Ohio Christian University Professor of Substance Abuse Counseling Dr. Jim Smith contributed two chapters for the recently published collaborative work Nelson's Church Leader's Manual for Congregational Care, available from Thomas Nelson Publishers. The two chapters are on lay ministry care for those with substance abuse issues and mental disorders. Smith is well qualified to write on these topics as he holds three graduate degrees and is a licensed counselor as well as an ordained minister. Smith states, "The connection to be part of this collaboration was brought about by God." OCU President Mark Smith congratulated Dr. Smith on his recent publication, saying, "We are proud of Dr. Smith's efforts to provide resources for those in lay ministry." Dr. Smith joined the Ohio Christian University faculty full-time in 2003, and he teaches psychology, substance abuse counseling/chemical dependency, and pastoral counseling courses in the traditional and AIM adult undergraduate programs and the Master of Arts in Ministry program. He was awarded OCU Faculty Person of the Year in 2007 and promoted to the academic rank of full professor in 2009. Dr. Smith and his wife Diane live in South Bloomfield with two adult daughters, Kelly and Samantha. Ohio Christian University is one of the fastest growing universities in Ohio. Over the past five years enrollment has grown 400 percent. With a heritage dating back to 1948, Ohio Christian University offers a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally and spiritually. OCU offers degree programs designed to equip students to become leaders in their careers, communities, families and in the world. Students enrolled in OCU's traditional undergraduate program attend classes at its main campus in Circleville, Ohio. OCU's AIM Adult Program offers 12 campus locations in the surrounding region as well as online degree programs.
Articles of Interest
Two Scholars Win Full-Ride Scholarship to University
Published: February 14, 2023
Ohio Christian University’s Scholars Day competition for the first
Commitment to Excellence full-ride scholarships has successfully concluded,
and we are proud to announce that Mike Conway and Hannah Skaggs have been
selected as the scholarship recipients.
After three rounds of interviews, these two outstanding students received the
highest marks and were personally awarded by Phil Hooks, the Vice President
of Enrollment, with their scholarship certificate and an official scholarship
award letter from President Smith. The Scholars Day panelists were thoroughly
impressed by all of the
Ohio Christian University’s Scholars Day competition for the first
Commitment to Excellence full-ride scholarships has successfully concluded,
and we are proud to announce that Mike Conway and Hannah Skaggs have been
selected as the scholarship recipients.
After three rounds of interviews, these two outstanding students received the
highest marks and were personally awarded by Phil Hooks,
Ohio Christian University’s Scholars Day competition for the first
Commitment to Excellence full-ride scholarships has successfully concluded,
and we are proud to announce that Mike Conway and
OCU School of Education Earns 7 Year CAEP Accreditation
Published: January 18, 2023
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has granted 7 years
of accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Ohio Christian
University, the highest award the organization allows. The current
Accreditation has been granted at the initial-licensure level for all major
concentrations OCU offers at the undergraduate level for Teacher Education
Preparation.
CAEP Accreditation is granted when the Accreditation Council determines that
an Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) meets all CAEP Standards, even if
areas for improvement (AFIs) are identified in the final
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has granted 7 years
of accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Ohio Christian
University, the highest award the organization allows. The current
Accreditation has been granted at the initial-licensure level for all major
concentrations OCU offers at the undergraduate level for Teacher Education
Preparation.
CAEP
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has granted 7 years
of accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Ohio Christian
University, the highest award the organization
Archived Articles of Interest
New K-12 Needs Intervention Specialist Degree Program Open for Enrollment
Published: July 17, 2018
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department chair explains, “We train
teachers who have a Christ-like calling to educate all children, including
those with special needs. With the opioid and poverty crises
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of
School of Business & Government Israel Tour Creates Lasting Impressions
Published: June 20, 2018
Ohio Christian University’s School of Business and Government traveled to
Israel May 23 through June 3, 2018.
Thirteen students toured the Holy Land with Passages Israel, a program
sponsored by Philos Project and the Museum of the Bible Foundation.
Passages specialize in providing Christian college students with leadership
potential a fresh and innovative approach to experiencing the Holy Land.
The OCU students encountered the historic landscape of their Christian faith
and modern-day Israel. Significant sites visited were Jerusalem, the Sea of
Galilee, the Dead Sea, Nazareth,
Ohio Christian University’s School of Business and Government traveled to
Israel May 23 through June 3, 2018.
Thirteen students toured the Holy Land with Passages Israel, a program
sponsored by Philos Project and the Museum of the Bible Foundation.
Passages specialize in providing Christian college students with leadership
potential a fresh and innovative approach to experiencing the
Ohio Christian University’s School of Business and Government traveled to
Israel May 23 through June 3, 2018.
Thirteen students toured the Holy Land with Passages Israel, a program
sponsored by
Trauma Informed Care Training Hits Needs Head-On
Published: June 20, 2018
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well as area
educators, pastors, administrators, and social workers listened to
informative sessions covering topics ranging from classroom teaching to
social work case management. They engaged in dynamic discussions, break-out
activities and tasks that raised questions and prompted fresh thinking by
even the most inquisitive participants.
Hosted by social workers Amanda Knotts and Bryston
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well as area
educators, pastors, administrators, and social workers listened to
informative sessions covering topics ranging from classroom teaching to
social work case management. They engaged in
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well
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
New Digital Marketing Micro-Credential Program
Published: May 8, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is partnering with education and technology
leader Accelerated Retention Institute (ARI) to provide a first-to-market
digital marketing and e-commerce micro-credentialing course designed to
address training for the overwhelming demand for digital marketing jobs in
the US and abroad. For more on ARI's educational products, click ARI.
ARI’s digital marketing and w-commerce micro-certification course is
designed to be a complete immersive program offering 20 days of intense
study. The firm deploys advanced learning, video-based technology giving
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is partnering with education and technology
leader Accelerated Retention Institute (ARI) to provide a first-to-market
digital marketing and e-commerce micro-credentialing course designed to
address training for the overwhelming demand for digital marketing jobs in
the US and abroad. For more on ARI's educational products, click ARI.
ARI’s digital marketing
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is partnering with education and technology
leader Accelerated Retention Institute (ARI) to provide a first-to-market
digital marketing and e-commerce micro-