By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Kentucky Christian University (KCU) and their Keeran School of Bible & Ministry (KSBM) recently received a unique distinction with their accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE); earning that organization’s accreditation in half the time and for twice as long as typical.
“We are incredibly proud of the accomplishment. It is usually a four-year process, and we were able to accomplish it in two years,” Dr. Rob Shoaff, Dean of the Keeran School of Bible & Ministry at KCU said.
Shoaff explained the accreditation process a little further by saying that KCU was a first time accreditor, which is typically a five-year accreditation with accommodations. But KSBM received no accommodations, and was awarded a ten-year accreditation.
“That was a really good thing, and the benefit of it is that the actual achievement represents not only the hard work that our team did, but it also represents the steadfast commitment we have to equip our students for meaningful service and ministry,” Shoaff said.
The support and work which yielded the accreditation goes beyond that, Shoaff said.
“We also have a required Biblical Studies minor for every student at Kentucky Christian University,” he explained. “And so, my department touches every single department in the school because we teach every single student.”
Shoaff gave an example of a nursing student, who in addition to everything they learn in that program, would also be learning ministry and faith skills to employ as they go out and practice nursing. The same would hold true for students in business, education, or any other major.
“The benefit, I believe, is that we continue to (send) missionaries out into the workforce,” Shoaff said.
“I would say that this is where Christ meets our Culture,” Shoaff continued. “Jesus in the Marketplace, not just at Church. It (the accreditation) provides our students with a higher level of accountability. And what we are teaching raises the bar.”
Shoaff said that as an evaluator he is always trying to find better ways to do things, and said that having an accountability partner with the ABHE helps the school stay in line with what they say they want to be.
“They will help make sure that we keep producing those Kingdom Students we say we want to produce,” he said.
This process and the successes yield great benefits for the students, Shoaff said.
“It also benefits our department and the institution at large, but the benefit to the students is the main focus,” he explained. “We are not only able to teach our students the importance of the Bible and of Biblical study, but we are also teaching them how ‘the rubber meets the road.’ We are teaching them what to do with the Biblical knowledge they have gained, and how to put it into practice.”
Shoaff said that he is glad that Kentucky Christian University is a practice based institution.
“We aren’t researched based, though we do require research from our students. But we are always asking the question, ‘Now that you have the knowledge and have done the research, how does it change your life and the lives of those around you?’,” Shoaff said.
“I think it is really important for the mission of Kentucky Christian University, and the Keeran School of Bible & Ministry, as we are putting out not only knowledgeable, credited, graduates out there in the ministry but we are putting people out there who on a practical basis know how to minister to people,” he added.
Shoaff said that the credit for the accreditation and so many other things belong to the great team of educators at KCU. He said the 2,000 pages written, compiled, and submitted for the accreditation could not have been possible without the help of so many members of the staff and faculty, especially Vicki Madden, Director of Institutional Assessment and Accreditation.
“She and I have been working on this for nearly two years. And we could not be more grateful to see it come to fruition.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
