Christopher Jones

Dr. Chris Jones arrived as Professor of Physics and Chemistry in Fall of 2024. Jones assumed the role as the Director of CIU’s Honors Program in 2026.

Jones feels called to mentor students in preparation for careers and professional programs in science and healthcare. One advantage to CIU is the opportunity professors have to pour into their students to prepare them to be doctors, physical therapists, pharmacists, or other areas of science.

Jones routinely teaches General Physics I and II (along with their labs), Introduction to Physical Science, and Earth Science.

As an undergraduate, he was fortunate to have his name on a paper with John Pople, who won the Nobel Prize in 1998. The Nobel prize winner in 2019, John Goodenough, was on the dissertation committee for his Ph.D. work.

He has three areas of professional focus: the integration of faith and learning, community outreach, and active learning teaching methods.

He is passionate about the integration of faith and learning. He states, “Engaging students in serious academic inquiry at a Christian university requires both academic and Biblical integrity.”

From the start of Jones’ career, he has been involved in a diverse array of community outreach events in science and mathematics. When asked about his motivation, Jones points out, “Jesus told us that it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Teaching students to give back some of their knowledge and enthusiasm for science and math is academically reinforcing, Biblically sound, and just plain fun!”

The pedagogy he strives to see implemented is one based on active learning rather than passive lecturing. This ranges from the utilization of best practices in technology to collaborative group projects. “Today’s students need a positive and encouraging learning environment that actively engages them in critical thinking” says Jones.