Cedarville University’s Board of Trustees approved key strategic initiatives to support long-term growth during its Jan. 28-30 regular meetings and additional strategic planning sessions on campus.
“I am deeply thankful for the prayerful wisdom and faithful leadership of our trustees as they came together to prayerfully discuss and strategize about Cedarville’s future,” said President Thomas White. “Amid a challenging higher education landscape, their commitment to advancing our mission, remaining vibrant and faithful and equipping students for Gospel impact gave us the opportunity to consider bold new opportunities while ensuring Cedarville remains faithful to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.”
The board approved plans to launch a theological seminary along with exploration of a joint venture to provide Christian higher education in Florida pending state and accreditation approvals. Cedarville administrators will begin evaluating options and obtaining appropriate approvals in Florida in the coming year as part of the university’s effort to expand its academic and ministry footprint. Cedarville does not offer in-person instruction in Florida at this time.
Seminary Education
The trustees formally approved the launch of a seminary, and an official announcement is expected later this spring. The seminary addition will continue to build the university’s reputation for preparing biblically faithful leaders for church ministry around the world.
The planned seminary will operate under the School of Biblical and Theological Studies, building on Cedarville’s long history of undergraduate and graduate ministry training while better clarifying Cedarville’s place in providing quality, biblically faithful theological education.
“We are seeing a decline in the number of evangelical seminaries even as the need for biblically faithful pastors continues to grow,” said Dr. Trent Rogers, dean of the Cedarville University School of Biblical and Theological Studies. “There is an urgent need for institutions that can provide accessible, biblically grounded and pastorally focused theological training.”
The seminary designation formalizes Cedarville’s long-standing role in ministry preparation and positions the university to better serve churches facing a growing leadership gap. As of fall 2025, 211 students were enrolled in Cedarville’s graduate ministry programs.
The university’s existing graduate ministry offerings — a residential Master of Divinity and a fully online Master of Theological Studies — will fall under the auspices of the seminary. Courses in those programs are taught by highly credentialed biblical scholars and experienced ministry practitioners who emphasize faculty mentorship, discipleship, and academic excellence.
Academic Program Updates
The board approved a new online graduate certificate in digital marketing strategy, responding to workforce demand in one of the fastest-growing professional fields. The four-course (12-credit) program will prepare students in digital strategy, communication and analytics and may serve as a pathway into the Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Leadership.
Trustees also approved renaming the Master of Arts in Innovation to the Master of Arts in Strategic Innovation, a change university leaders said better reflects the program’s focus on strategic thinking, design thinking, business modeling and entrepreneurship.
Budget and Affordability
Trustees approved a $139.2 million budget for the 2026-27 academic year, a 5.2% increase over the previous year. The university’s commitment to financial stewardship has resulted in 48 consecutive years of balanced budgets.
Undergraduate tuition, housing and food will rise 3% to $39,200. According to Education Data Research, Cedarville’s housing and food costs of $10,394 remain among the lowest in Ohio and well below the national average of $15,250.
Cedarville officials noted that 100% of new undergraduate students, including freshmen and transfers, receive scholarships. Students who maintain eligibility may retain the aid for all four years.
New Faculty Hires
The following new faculty were approved for hiring and will begin teaching in the 2026-27 academic year. The new faculty are:
Eric Abisror, Ph.D., assistant professor of applied theology. Prior to joining the Cedarville faculty, Abisror was a global worker for Reaching and Teaching Ministries in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned his undergraduate degree from The Master’s University, his Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary and his doctoral degree in biblical counseling from Midwestern Theological Seminary.
Neal Fox, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Prior to joining the Cedarville faculty, Fox was a clinical pharmacy specialist in medical intensive care for Premier Health Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Cedarville University.
Mark Kimpton, M.D., assistant professor of physician assistant studies and director of clinical education. Prior to joining the Cedarville faculty, Kimpton was an assistant professor for the American University of Antigua School of Medicine in Osbourn, Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda. He earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Radford University, a Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine and a Master of Divinity degree in biblical counseling from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Donald Rhymer, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering. Prior to joining the Cedarville faculty, Rhymer was an instructor of bible, literature and physics at Konos Academy in Tyrone, Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Baptist Seminary.
Jeffrey Robinson, M.D., assistant professor of physician assistant studies and assistant director of clinical education. Prior to joining the Cedarville faculty, Robinson was the medical director for the Beavercreek Township Fire Department and an emergency medicine physician for Emergency Medicine Specialists. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cedarville University and a Doctor of Medicine from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine.
Tenure and Promotion
Faculty Tenure
The following faculty members were granted tenure:
Joshua Bowman, Ph.D., associate professor of missions and theology
David Dittenber, Ph.D., professor of civil engineering
Luke Fredette, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering
David Leitch, Ph.D., J.D., associate professor of special education
Catelyn Mailloux, M.F.A., associate professor of studio art
Daryl Smith, Ph.D., professor of management
Faculty Promotions
Holly Hoover, M.F.A., to assistant professor of web design
Eric Knoerr, M.S., to assistant professor of computer science
Shannon Schulte, M.S., to assistant professor of biology
Joshua Bowman, Ph.D., to associate professor of missions and theology
Luke Fredette, Ph.D., to associate professor of mechanical engineering
Kevin Jones, Ed.D., to associate professor of education
Catelyn Mailloux, M.F.A., to associate professor of studio art
Alicia McCartney, Ph.D., to associate professor of English
Merideth Pitts, Ph.D., to associate professor of linguistics
Lynn Roper, Ph.D., to associate professor of special education
Stephanie Tubb, Pharm.D., RPh, to associate professor of pharmacy practice
Marcia Williams, Ph.D., RN, to associate professor of nursing
Jonathan Arnold, Ph.D., to professor of theological studies
Kenneth Blood, Ed.D., AT, to professor of athletic training
Andrew Harris, Ph.D., to professor of communication
William Marsh, Ph.D., to professor of theology
Jeffrey Simon, M.F.A., to professor of communication
Daryl Smith, Ph.D., to professor of management
Michael Weller, Ed.D., AT, to professor of athletic training
Distinguished Professor
John Whitmore, Ph.D., to distinguished professor of geology
Emeriti Status
William Jones, Ph.D., professor of biol Aptos (Body) ogy. At Cedarville since 1999.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked?among the nation’s top five evangelical universities?in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at? cedarville.edu.
