Related Links: About MVNU | Admissions

“James brings a wealth of experience in the church and the community working with youth and parents to the assignment, and has great connections with youth ministry leaders across our region and around the country,” stated Dr. Bruce Oldham, associate vice-president for Enrollment Management. “His energy is contagious, and his love for students is clearly evidenced in his warmth and approachability. His understanding of recruitment drawn from involvement as an MVNU student, as a church youth leader and in corporate setting, will contribute much to the University’s efforts to build enrollment.”

Smith holds a BA in youth ministry from MVNU and earned a master’s degree from Huntington University in educational ministry. He has previously served as youth pastor for churches in Findlay, Sidney and Marietta, Ohio, and most recently was a client relationship manager/recruiter at The Right Thing, Inc. in Findlay, while also serving as the leader of a house church community.

His experience with youth and church ministry is extensive, including district Nazarene Youth International (NYI) president, district trainer, regional secretary and local Upward sport director. He is also a seasoned consultant, preacher and youth speaker. He will continue to serve as the regional trainer for NYI's Big Picture Training, a ministry position he has held for nearly two years. In this role, he is responsible for training, equipping and networking youth leaders in the region. Smith is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

As a student at MVNU, Smith served as student body president, as a member of a student travel group, and as a student Admissions employee. He also served a year as the co-chairperson for the Nazarene Student Leadership Association.

In leading the Admissions office, Smith will be responsible for recruitment and admission of new MVNU students. He will lead a team of professional staff members in accomplishing enrollment goals, initiate and manage recruiting and travel schedules, maintain records for prospective students, work closely with high school officials in promoting MVNU, coordinate campus visits, and collaborate with other campus departments to create a successful student experience,

"I am excited about the potential of who MVNU is and who we are becoming as a faith-based learning community. I have high aspirations for the Admissions office and for the University as a whole, and look forward to partnering with other faculty, staff, alumni and students to see those goals fulfilled,” said Smith. “I am passionate about working with high school and college students and see this position as a perfect blend of those desires, my passion for MVNU and the recruiting skills I have developed in my most recent role.”

James is married to Kelly (Fig), a 1999 graduate of MVNU, and they have a daughter, Halle (‘3), and a second child due in mid-July. “Kelly and desired to return to MVNU since we graduated and are thrilled at this opportunity to rejoin the community. We look forward to renewing friendships and developing new ones as we invest in the lives of high school and college students,” said Smith. MVNU runs in the family as his parents, Jim and Teri (Clouse) Smith, and sister Sunshine Sullivan are all alumni as well.

To apply for admission to MVNU, visit http://admissions.mvnu.edu or call 1-866-462-MVNU.