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.
Humanities Program Director, Professor of English and Humanities
Dr. Steve Baarendse grew up as a “Third Culture Kid” in Vienna, Austria. He studied English and Art at Taylor University (BA, 1990) and Comparative Literature and Art History at Indiana University
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Beyer came to CIU in 1985 to teach Bible. He served as undergraduate academic dean from 1994–2001; dean of students from 2001–2004; and faculty member in the Seminary & School of Ministry from
Associate Professor of English
Professor H. Keller Bright grew up in Orlando, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree in English at Baylor out in Waco, Texas and later went on to pursue a Master of English degree at Liberty
Professor of Intercultural Studies
Dr. Cashin is professor of intercultural studies in the College of Intercultural Studies at CIU. Previously, he lived in Sweden, where he served as pastor of two churches.
Director, Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies
Dr. Castor and his wife, Katie, served as YWAM missionaries in South Asia before coming to CIU. He started working at the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies in 2008. His research interests are in Muslim
Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Clevenger enjoys sharing her passion for investing in young learners with future teachers. She desires to prepare educators to value the foundational experiences early childhood teachers can
Professor Emeritus
Dr. Karen Close grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She dropped out of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas to marry Jack Close, who was a Doctoral student at the University of Texas, a Canadian, and
Associate Professor of Nursing
Angela joined the CIU School of Nursing in 2021 as one of the founding faculty members. She teaches Mental Health and Adult Health and serves as the Director of Clinical Education and Admissions. She
Bible Teaching (Undergraduate and Graduate) Program Director, Professor of Bible Teaching
Dr. Anita Cooper directs the Bible Teaching program, a program specifically designed to prepare students to teach the Bible in a school setting. Before coming to CIU, she taught Bible in the public
Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Craft is driven by the Holy Spirit to help students recognize their God-given potential as Christian educators. He specializes in early childhood and elementary education with increased emphasis
