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The History of OCU

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We are very pleased to introduce you to Orlando Christian University- a university dedicated to the training of the next generation of Christian leaders.

Orlando Christian University was born out of an awareness that the landscape for those considering Christian Higher Education has dramatically changed in the last 15 years. The cost structure, government regulation, and proliferation of a secular worldview call for an innovative approach to preparing the next generation of leaders for the Church and for our community organizations.

So in 2021, Dr. Steve D. Whitaker gathered a group of influential leaders and cast a bold vision to address these issues.

In August of 2023, Dr. Whitaker, the son of a Bible college president and holding a Ph.D. in Higher Education administration from the University of Louisville, was appointed as President of OCU. Upon his installment as President of OCU, Dr. Whitaker established four key pillars to guide the university’s growth. Orlando Christian University is committed to a Gospel-centered, leadership-focused, financially accessible, competency-based program that prepares students for non-profit and ministry leadership positions. The mission of OCU is to prepare servant leaders who seek the welfare of society, the advancement of the Church, and the proclamation of the gospel to all nations and peoples.

Next Steps:

In the coming years, Orlando Christian University intends to expand their offerings to include programs at the bachelor’s and master’s level, and to expand enrollment to the broader community.

The mission of Orlando Christian University is to prepare servant leaders who seek the welfare of society, the advancement of the Church, and the proclamation of the gospel to all nations and peoples.