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URSHAN STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

The Urshan Student Success Center acts as a compass to help students navigate their academic careers. We facilitate the Urshan mission by supporting students at any level and ability in their course work, personal development, and career planning, thereby improving student retention and success.

URSHAN STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

Academics

The USSC will offer services that will help you:


  • Succeed in difficult courses
  • Become a more confident and independent learner
  • Engage in more productive and effective study and learning behaviors
  • Improve your writing skills
  • Manage your time more effectively
  • Reduce your assessment anxiety
  • Explore and determine your major
  • Return to/maintain good academic standing
  • Plan and maintain a realistic path to successfully completing an Urshan degree

To schedule an appointment (academic accountability, academic advising, or Writing Center), click here.

For more information, contact us at urshansuccess@urshan.edu.

The Urshan Student Success Center acts as a compass to help students navigate their academic careers.

Academic advising is a dynamic relationship between advisor and student to support the student’s educational success. Advisors provide guidance on course selection, academic policies, and regulations.

Your faculty advisor will be your program director; however, if you wish to review your total program at any point during the semester, the USSC is happy to meet with you. Appointments for phone/video conference/face-to-face meetings can be made by contacting us at urshansuccess@urshan.edu.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Academics

All on campus and distance learning UC students may take advantage of the Urshan Writing Center to sharpen skills in research, writing, and reasoning. Services are available to all students regardless of classification or degree program. Students work one-on-one with a writing tutor, who assists them with thesis, development, formatting, organization, and grammar. Students may schedule up to two, 30-minutes sessions per week.

WRITING ASSISTANCE

Academics

Writing Center hours are by appointment only. Click here to make an appointment.

Writing Center Hours:*

  • Monday 9:00am – 4:00pm
  • Tuesday 9:00am – 4:00pm
  • Wednesday 9:00am – 4:00pm
  • Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm

* All appointments will meet in the USSC Director’s office

Below you will find some helps to improve your writing skills:

Urshan Style Guide

SBL Style Guide

SBL Handbook and Sample Paper

APA (7th Edition) Style Guide

WRITING HELPS

Academics

The SASO provides coaching and accountability to assist students with the planning and completion of your semester academic goals. You may request a one-time appointment with the SASO in order to organize your semester or you may request weekly appointments. Through our SASO’s guidance you will gain a better understanding of your academic strengths and challenges and work towards establishing both immediate and long-term goals resulting in improved academic achievement. 

Students who are at provisional or probational status are required to meet with the SASO weekly.

For appointment availability, please contact us at urshansuccess@urshan.edu.

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUPPORT OFFICERS

Academics

If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you feel you are able, alert your RA via text or phone as to your whereabouts.

COUNSELING

Academics

Urshan seeks to provide pastoral counsel and care to each student through an onsite counselor. Any student needing professional counseling should contact the Dean of Student Services (deanofstudents@urshan.edu) for the referral email. Students who request a referral will have the cost of their initial consultation covered by UU. The student will then be responsible for the cost of any and all visits needed beyond the initial consultation. This service is available via Skype for our distance learners. More information is available from the Student Services Office.

DISABILITY RESOURCES

Academics

Urshan University is committed to the provision of reasonable accommodations for all students with learning and/or physical disabilities* as
legislated by the federal government.

Students with medical diagnoses that qualify them for accommodations must contact the USSC at extension 2104 or email urshansuccess@urshan.edu.

Once the director of the USSC has received medical documentation and a confidential consultation is completed with either a Student Academic Support Officer or the director, the student will then be responsible to provide the director with a list of his/her current professors and courses. Consulting with the SASO or director is required each semester.

*As defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

The Johnsons

Our Senior Pastor Matthew Johnson has been involved in ministry for more than 25 years. Prior to full time ministry the Johnsons both worked in the healthcare field. Pastor Johnson is an Ordained Minister of the UPCI, received his MBA summa cum laude from William Woods University, received his specialty MBA summa cum laude in healthcare administration, and is board bertified in ambulatory surgery management.  
Pastor Johnson serves on the Board of Trustees for Compassion Services International (CSI) as well as the UPCI Stewardship Advisory Council. 
The Johnsons formerly served the executive team for UPCI Youth Ministries and also served as members of the Missouri Youth Ministries leadership team. 
They are the proud parents of Abriah & Jace who are the joy of their lives, along with their two Goldendoodles, Opie Taylor & Ginger Lou. The Johnsons enjoy family time together kayaking, exploring the great outdoors, and also searching for new coffee shops wherever they travel. 

The Venturinis

Nathan and Larkin Venturini have been married and serving in ministry together since 2018. They are looking forward to welcoming their first child in August of 2023. Outside of his involvement with The Sanctuary, Nathan is an Operations Analyst for Toyota Material Handling, and Larkin is a Speech Language Pathologist for Bartholomew County Schools. Larkin is a member of The Sanctuary Kids Ministry Team, participates in The Sanctuary Choir, and is involved with Bible Quizzing. They are glad to have made Columbus their home, and are excited about what is happening in the community and church.

Vaneesa McCreary

Vaneesa McCreary and her husband, James McCreary, married in 1998. Together they have one son, Jameson. Throughout the years Vaneesa has helped in a Private Christian middle/ high school office doing anything from state reporting to substitute teaching in various classes, as needed. In 2021, Vaneesa relocated and started working part-time in The Sanctuary daycare. Later on she was asked to fulfill the role as the new daycare director. From June 2022 to December 2022, she worked in each classroom to better understand the schedule and responsibilities as well as completed director specific job training. In December 2022, she officially became The Sanctuary Church Daycare Director. 

The Gordons

Matt and Tamera Gordon have been married and have served in music ministry since 1997; as well as teaching music for many years. They have one daughter, Ava. The Gordon's have been a part of The Sanctuary since 2015. 

The Ortizs

Jorge and Amy Otiz serve as our Spanish church pastors. Prior to their pastorship, they along with their 3 children, have helped in several missions works in various countries around the world.  

The Vailes

Jonathan and Tori got married in 2014, have one daughter named Nora, and one dog named Gus. The Vailes have served as Children's Pastors at The Sanctuary since 2015 while also serving in many administrative capacities and other ministries. Prior to his transition to a full-time ministry position, Jonathan was a music teacher within the BCSC school corporation. Now, with his Master's degree in Business Administration, Jonathan is the Finance Coordinator and Children's Pastor. Tori is a 3rd grade teacher in the BCSC school corporation and serves part-time at The Sanctuary to support administrative needs.

The Sizemores

The Sizemores have served in youth ministry for over ten years, the past seven being the youth pastor's here at The Sanctuary. They lead our thriving youth and young adults group and are passionately serving in many other areas of the church. Mikayla earned her Bachelor's in Education from Indiana University and has been a special education teacher for nearly a decade. Austin earned his Bachelor's in Economics from Marian University where he won two national championships as a football player. They have been married for 7 years and recently had their first daughter Jade in 2021.

The McLaurines

Gwendolyn McLaurine MS, LMHCA, NCC completed her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is a licensed mental health counselor in Indiana and a licensed professional counselor in Michigan. She is the owner of Living Water Mental Health LLC where she provides office and teletherapy services and specializes in helping individuals overcome the effects of childhood trauma. She has ten-plus years of individual, family, and crisis counseling experience. Gwendolyn is eclectic in her approach to therapy and seeks to use the most effective and appropriate method to address her clients' needs. 

Gwendolyn is a wife, mother of two, and lover of shopping malls. She and her husband Reggie attend The Sanctuary in Columbus, Indiana, serving on the leadership team as assistant pastors 

The Mullins

Assistant Pastors at The Sanctuary; Rebekka and Matthew Mullins have been married, and served together in ministry since 2004 and have 4 beautiful children. Matthew is Vice President at a global fortune 500 company and a partner and CEO of Equipping Leaders. With 20 years of pastoral experience, he also teaches global audiences, and offers coaching in strategy, human resources management, and leader development.