Getting to know Dr. Brian Simmons, the new Vice President of CIU Global
February 14, 2023
The life mission of Dr. Brian Simmons reads: “Brian Simmons exists as a visionary builder to further the kingdom of God through Christian education, teaching and influencing others.”
That mission, coupled with decades of diversified teaching and educational administrative experience, has brought him to his new role of vice president of CIU Global. Simmons has served at CIU for nearly 10 years beginning as an associate professor in the College of Education, and was soon after asked to lead online studies. At that time there were 89 online CIU students. Two years ago, CIU created CIU Global now serving over 1,000 online students.
Simmons also serves as the vice chair of the board of directors at Ben Lippen School, CIU’s Pre-K through 12th grade Christian school.
Simmons earned a Bachelor of Arts from Grand Rapids Baptist College, a Bachelor of Science from Calvin College, a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Education from Ball State University. Get to know more about him in this Q&A:
What drew you to be an educator?
My mother was a public school teacher for over 40 years, my wife, Bonnie, was a teacher, and both of my daughters are teachers, so I guess you could say teaching is in my blood. In high school and college, I was blessed to have a number of teachers who greatly influenced my life. I wanted to be like them and do for others what God used each one of them to do for me!
What are your plans and goals as vice president of CIU Global?
The vision of CIU Global is to make an excellent, biblically-based education available to thousands of qualified students anytime, anywhere in the world! Within CIU Global is CIU Global School serving students in 17 online degree programs in various academic fields offering a total of more than 300 online courses.
CIU leaders are working collaboratively to create a strategic plan to guide CIU for the next five years. My goal for online enrollment is to grow the CIU Global School from 500 to 1,000 students. My goal for finances is to provide growing and significant positive net income from every CIU Global School degree program. My goal for academic and spiritual development for all of our online students is that during their time at CIU they will grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and commit their lives to serving Him as professional ministers and ministering professionals. Finally, my goal for CIU Global is that we will continue to provide outstanding course development and academic service to all of the students we serve.
CIU’s mission is to educate from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ. How do you bring that into online instruction?
This begins by hiring qualified professors who love and serve God because a vibrant relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ precedes effective ministry!
Just today I hired a new online professor. In the interview I discussed our mission, and I said suppose we were sitting side by side. You will be teaching business, so picture a business text in your left hand with your arm fully outstretched. Now picture a Bible in your right hand placed between your eyes and the textbook. We want you to be a spiritual presence in your online classroom. And to be a spiritual presence in your online classroom you must look at the principles in the text through the lens of Scripture! You fulfill our mission as you discuss with students the principles that align, the ones that don’t, and why.
I understand that there is a chaplain for online students. Describe that person’s role.
Our CIU Global chaplain is Dr. David West. His role is both proactive and reactive. Dr. West proactively reaches out to our online students on a regular basis by sharing devotions and challenging thoughts via email. As an example, he sent a series of devotions to students in the month of December about Advent. In his reactive role, Chaplain West reaches out to students individually who are going through difficult seasons in life such as the loss of a spouse or a serious illness. This is a vital aspect of the ministry of CIU Global because often the Lord opens a window to a person’s heart as they go through the challenges of life.
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife, Bonnie, and I have been married for nearly 42 years! We have four adult children (all married) and 12 grandchildren with another on the way! We are blessed!
What do you like to do for recreation?
For recreation, I enjoy time with Bonnie and my family. We live on Lake Murray and I enjoy sunrises and sunsets, bonfires, swimming, wake surfing and boating. I also enjoy reading, deer and turkey hunting, and building sand castles with my grandchildren at the beach.
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CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.