Brian Simmons named Dean of OC’s College of Liberal Arts

Oklahoma Christian University’s Program Chair of Communication Brian Simmons has recently stepped into a new role as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. OC’s CoLA will comprise the following programs: History, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Art + Design, Music, Language and Literature, Communication and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Simmons is an OC Communication alumnus who then attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and earned his Master of Arts in Communication there. He next earned a doctorate in Communication at Purdue University, where he also minored in the sociology of religion.

Simmons is the author of “Falling Away: Why Christians Lose Their Faith and What Can Be Done about It” and “Wandering in the Wilderness: Changes and Challenges to Emerging Adults’ Christian Faith.”

His dissertation was about “Media Effects on Church of Christ Adolescents’ Perceptions of Sexual Morality.” Simmons has been published in Journalism Quarterly, the Journal of Popular Music and Society, Media Ethics: Issues and Cases, and Media Coverage of Terrorism and Sex, Religion and Media.

Prior to returning to his alma mater, Simmons was a communication professor at the University of Portland, where he also served as an assistant coach with the Speech and Debate Union. He previously taught at Cascade College and Saint Joseph’s College. His wife and both children are also OC alumni.

In addition to his teaching and leadership roles at OC, Simmons remains active in ministry as a preaching minister at the Oakcrest church of Christ in Oklahoma City. He is a frequent speaker at churches and conferences, where he is highly esteemed for his expertise in preaching and communication.

Simmons’ background in both academics and ministry makes him a unique and valued leader at OC and in the community. His experience, hard work and dedication while chair have helped positively shape the Communication Program at OC, and his ministry at Oakcrest Church of Christ has positively impacted numerous people. 

In an interview with the Talon, Simmons said his goal is to serve those in the College of Liberal Arts. 

“My philosophy is ‘we’re all in this together,’” he said. “I see myself as a servant who ought to use whatever power and influence I have to make things better for others. That’s why I’m excited to work with the outstanding faculty, staff and students of Oklahoma Christian to help build a better future for us all.”