Meet Dr. Jodi Mills: A Leader Called to Serve

For Dr. Jodi Mills, stepping into the role of Dean of the College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University wasn’t just a career move—it was the next step in a lifelong calling.

A third-generation Nazarene, Dr. Mills has spent more than 15 years immersed in higher education, most recently at Indiana Wesleyan University. Her experience spans curriculum development, faculty support, and working directly with adult learners navigating complex lives full of family, work, and church responsibilities. But when her family moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio last summer for her husband’s new role at MVNU, she didn’t expect the perfect opportunity to find her.

“When I saw the posting for the Dean of CAPS, I pored over every detail,” she recalls. “It felt like a direct match with my experience, my heart for adult education, and my love for the Church of the Nazarene. I knew I had to apply.”

Now just a little more than a month into her new role, Dr. Mills is already bringing fresh energy and perspective to MVNU’s online adult programs. Her vision is clear: to build on what’s working, elevate the experience for students and faculty, and lean even further into MVNU’s Christ-centered mission.

“I believe in the power of education to transform lives,” she says. “And for adult students—who are balancing jobs, parenting, caregiving, and church life—that transformation has to be flexible, faith-driven, and deeply supportive.”

One of her first priorities is enhancing training and development opportunities for MVNU’s online faculty—most of whom bring real-world experience and personal faith to the virtual classroom. “Our adjuncts are doing great work,” she explains. “But there are so many tools and techniques that can help them create even more connection, more engagement, and more meaningful faith integration with students.”

Dr. Mills also sees MVNU’s online programs as more than academic pathways—they’re opportunities to build belonging. “Our students often think they’ll feel disconnected because they’re online. But over and over again, they tell us they feel seen, supported, and known. That’s what makes MVNU different.”

Her advice for students thinking about going back to school? Take it one step at a time. “The time will pass anyway,” she says. “Just start with one course. Put in a little time each day. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not alone—your MVNU professors and classmates are here for you.”

In the Mills household, MVNU isn’t just a workplace—it’s a shared experience. Her husband serves on the main campus, one of her sons is currently a sophomore, and her youngest is starting College Credit Plus classes this fall.

“We’re all in,” she laughs. “This is more than a job. It’s a calling. And I’m honored to be part of what God is doing through MVNU and CAPS.”