Our Faculty

CIU faculty bring to the classroom deep experience that might include working among Muslims in France and North Africa, teaching leadership skills to FBI Academy instructors, or serving as teachers and administrators in both public and Christian schools.

Add in former military chaplains, experienced practicing family counselors and experts in ancient languages (to name a few) and you get just the right mix of experience and devotion to God that makes CIU a leader among the nation’s Christian universities and seminaries.

Our student/faculty ratio for undergraduates is 17 to 1. At the graduate and seminary level, it’s 12 to 1. Our educators are here because of their passion for their students and community. Interacting with them inside and outside the classroom is how our Bible-based college and seminary transforms students’ lives through developing their academics, sparking their spiritual growth and honing their ministry skills.

Assistant Director, Prison Initiative

Pastor William Moore came to Columbia International University in April of 2021. Pastor Moore was born and raised in the low country of South Carolina. After graduating from college, he joined the US

Director of Professional Education Field Experiences, Associate Professor of Education

Mrs. Murdaugh embraces the motto of “changed lives change lives”, she desires to train with excellence highly qualified Christian teachers who think, teach and lead biblically wherever God leads.

Director of Graduate Counseling Programs

Dr. Nanna joined the faculty of CIU’s Seminary and School of Counseling in 2018, after serving as an adjunct faculty member since 2012. She is the Director of Graduate Counseling Programs. Prior to

Professor of New Testament

Dr. Mike Naylor is a New Testament professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Originally from Iowa, Mike has also lived in Chicago, Edinburgh (Scotland), and Maryland. Mike joined the faculty at

Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew

Dr. Noonan joined the faculty of CIU’s Seminary & School of Counseling in 2014. He teaches Old Testament and Hebrew courses and is the faculty advisor for Grad Life Council and CIU’s Eta Beta Rho

Professor of Youth Ministry, Family, and Culture

Dr. David Olshine came to CIU as the Director and Professor of Youth Ministry in 1993. Dr. David is a popular professor on campus. His interests and expertise are in the areas of communicating for

Professor, Supervisor of Research and Dissertations - European School of Culture and Theology, Korntal Campus

Ph.D., Missiology, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies/The Open University, UK After several years of work with an architect, Bernhard Ott changed course very early in his professional life. He studied

Director of Doctoral Studies, Professor - European School of Culture and Theology, Korntal Campus

Ph.D., Columbia International University Theological Studies in Germany and Switzerland were followed by church ministry and pastoral care in a counseling program for Christians. During this time

Professor Emeritus of Church Ministry

Dr. Powell joined the faculty of CIU’s Seminary & School of Counseling after teaching Family and Church Education in the Bible College from 1981 until 2010; he has taught Church Ministry from 2010

Assistant Dean, Professor of Ministry Studies, Director of Internships

Melina Rabon joined the CIU faculty in 2015 and became assistant dean in 2019. She oversees internships for the Seminary & School of Counseling. Dr. Rabon teaches Spiritual Formation and Practical

Adjunct Professor of Intercultural Studies, International Community Development, and Disaster Relief and Emergency Management

Michelle L. K. Raven joined CIU in 2017. She is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel (JAG Corp) and was a missionary with Christar International for five years. She has ministered in over 15 countries

Philosophy Programs Director, Professor of Philosophy

Jonathan Reibsamen was born in Peru, where his parents were missionaries. He grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and completed his undergraduate education at CIU in 1998. After working for a couple of