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
Importance of a Christian Education
Published: November 8, 2016
A college or university education is more than just learning information.
There is no neutral, nonformative education (i.e., there is no such thing as
a “secular” education). Colleges and universities are forming students
into something. The question is: what?
Education is formative in that not only does it impact the mind but also the
heart. All the practices of a college or university form the imagination and
hearts of its students—whether designed or not. If drinking and partying
are accepted and even expected to “fit in,” then many students will
succumb to their callings. It may
A college or university education is more than just learning information.
There is no neutral, nonformative education (i.e., there is no such thing as
a “secular” education). Colleges and universities are forming students
into something. The question is: what?
Education is formative in that not only does it impact the mind but also the
heart. All the practices of a college or university form
A college or university education is more than just learning information.
There is no neutral, nonformative education (i.e., there is no such thing as
a “secular” education). Colleges and
OCU Student Finds Hope Through Classmates
Published: October 17, 2016
By Krista Williams
In a time where our country and humanity is living in a great amount of fear,
being at OCU gives me so much hope. I find peace in being here as I look
around the classrooms- I see the future. I sit and look at all of the
hardworking students and how each one of them has a divine purpose they are
preparing for. A purpose given specially to them because of their skills and
abilities. A purpose given to them because our King knows what He is doing.
I sit in a class of 20 people and think, "there are 20 world changers right
here." It amazes me to think what we, as
By Krista Williams
In a time where our country and humanity is living in a great amount of fear,
being at OCU gives me so much hope. I find peace in being here as I look
around the classrooms- I see the future. I sit and look at all of the
hardworking students and how each one of them has a divine purpose they are
preparing for. A purpose given specially to them because of their skills and
By Krista Williams
In a time where our country and humanity is living in a great amount of fear,
being at OCU gives me so much hope. I find peace in being here as I look
around the classrooms- I
OCU to Host FAFSA Workshop on Oct. 8th
Published: October 3, 2016
By Amanda Plotts, Staff Reporter for the Circleville Herald
Future college students who need help navigating the financial aid system
are encouraged to attend FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Day, a financial aid workshop sponsored by Pickaway HELPS (Higher Education
Learning Partners for Students) and Ohio Christian University (OCU).
The workshop is free and will take place on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at
OCU’s Maxwell Center. Professional financial counselors will be available
to give individual help, answer questions, and assist with the online
By Amanda Plotts, Staff Reporter for the Circleville Herald
Future college students who need help navigating the financial aid system
are encouraged to attend FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Day, a financial aid workshop sponsored by Pickaway HELPS (Higher Education
Learning Partners for Students) and Ohio Christian University (OCU).
The workshop is free and will
By Amanda Plotts, Staff Reporter for the Circleville Herald
Future college students who need help navigating the financial aid system
are encouraged to attend FAFSA (Free Application for
Is college preparation worth it? A teen's perspective.
Published: September 15, 2016
By Jordyn Williams (pictured)
In the years approaching college, the weight of the world is on us teens. Our
stress is magnified as the expectations for college readiness intensifies.
Our days grow longer and our nights shorten as we return home from a seven
hour day of school only to spend additional hours studying and completing
homework for multiple AP and honors classes. We wake up early the next
morning to repeat the cycle. Work-free weekends are infrequent when they have
become filled with youth leadership group gatherings, club meetings,
community service, and SAT/ACT prep. The
By Jordyn Williams (pictured)
In the years approaching college, the weight of the world is on us teens. Our
stress is magnified as the expectations for college readiness intensifies.
Our days grow longer and our nights shorten as we return home from a seven
hour day of school only to spend additional hours studying and completing
homework for multiple AP and honors classes. We wake up early
By Jordyn Williams (pictured)
In the years approaching college, the weight of the world is on us teens. Our
stress is magnified as the expectations for college readiness intensifies.
Our days grow
Record 810 Graduates Celebrate Commencement
Published: May 26, 2016
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Ohio Christian University held its 66th
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. A record 810 associate, bachelor, and master level graduates
participated a total of four ceremonies: three in Ohio and one in Georgia
earlier this month.
Kelvin J. Cochran of Atlanta, Georgia, was the 2016 Commencement speaker.
Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Cochran followed his childhood dream
and became a firefighter in 1981. Working his way through the ranks, he was
appointed Fire Chief of the Shreveport Fire Department in 1999
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Ohio Christian University held its 66th
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. A record 810 associate, bachelor, and master level graduates
participated a total of four ceremonies: three in Ohio and one in Georgia
earlier this month.
Kelvin J. Cochran of Atlanta, Georgia, was the 2016 Commencement speaker.
Originally from
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Ohio Christian University held its 66th
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. A record 810 associate, bachelor, and master level