MVNU launches Master of Organizational Leadership degree

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Joe Huddleston, Communications Specialist
joshuddleston@mvnu.edu
740-397-9000
www.mvnu.edu/news

MAY 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEADLINE: MVNU launches Master of Organizational Leadership degree

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University has launched a Master of Organizational Leadership degree through MVNU Online, a new graduate program designed to prepare working professionals to lead teams, manage change, and strengthen organizational culture.

The 30-credit program focuses on practical leadership skills for professionals working in businesses, schools, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations.

“MVNU’s College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) is excited to offer this new master’s degree,” said Dr. Jodi Mills, Dean of CAPS. “Our new Master of Organizational Leadership is designed for those ready to lead with steady judgment and principled clarity in a complex world. It is designed to move students from personal identity and ethics, through culture and teams, to strategic institutional stewardship, all grounded in a Christian vision of leadership as stewardship rather than performance.”

The curriculum combines leadership theory with real-world application. Students explore topics such as leadership ethics, organizational behavior, leadership psychology, team dynamics, and strategic planning through a Christian perspective.

Students complete the program with a Leadership Capstone, applying their training through a faculty-supervised project in an organization of their choice.

“I’m excited about the launch of our new Master of Organizational Leadership program because I believe it meets a real need right now,” said Dr. Aaron Burgess, Assistant Professor and CAPS Business and Technology Program Director. ”Businesses, churches, nonprofits, and communities are looking for leaders who can bring people together, make wise decisions, employ new technologies, and lead with integrity. What makes this program special is that we will connect practical leadership skills with Christian faith in a natural and meaningful way. Students will not only learn how to lead organizations but also how to serve people, build trust, handle conflict, and address some of the biggest leadership challenges facing our society today.”

“Strong leadership can change lives, strengthen communities, and restore trust — and this program is designed to prepare leaders who do that with faith, courage, and purpose,” Dr. Burgess continued.

MVNU Online programs are designed for working adults, offering flexible learning options that allow students to pursue graduate education while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

For more information about the Master of Organizational Leadership program, visit mvnu.edu/mol.

About Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university serving traditional-age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. The university offers affordable in-seat and online programs to nearly 2,300 students from 36 states, one U.S. commonwealth, and 41 foreign countries.

###