Olivet University Anza campus focuses on local community after ABHE accreditation restored to 'good standing'

Olivet University, a Christian Bible college headquartered in Anza, California, is in the midst of a “season of steady progress” focused on serving and engaging with the local community after its accreditation was restored to good standing, following a difficult season where it was falsely accused by four international students, seeking to gain permanent residency, of human labor trafficking. 

“We’re very grateful to actually go through this process with them (accreditation agency) because it really helped us to identify what we need to improve on,” said Nathanael Tran, chairman of the Olivet University Board of Trustees, to The Christian Post. “And we’re just grateful that we can be in good standing, and we just want to continue to strengthen this institution.”

“Just the fact that we worked through the process and just got through good standing in itself reflects the commitment of our school and what we want to achieve.”

Olivet University first announced that it had been recognized as an institution in “good standing” by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, a faith-based higher education accreditation agency, in a statement posted on the school’s website on Feb. 28. This announcement came five months after officials from the Homeland Security Investigations and the Assistant United States Attorney Office in a joint statement declined to file criminal charges against Olivet University, in effect dismissing allegations of human trafficking as not credible.  

OU has argued that the trafficking claims were a scheme by former international students to gain permanent residency through a T-visa. A “T-visa scheme” involves fraudulently using a human trafficking claim to convert a temporary visa into permanent residency.

Tran noted that Olivet is in the midst of “thoughtful discussions and planning for the university’s future,” and the school is emphasizing student community service.    “It was a bit difficult to do that with all the distractions going on. But now that we’re in good standing … everyone kind of has a clearer head to think things through and see what we want to do and set up the vision for the future for this university.” 

He shared that OU students have been doing outreach and volunteering in the local community, such as donating 700 children’s books to the local library, hosting a prayer and praise event for Palm Sunday at the school, clearing brush and cleaning a riverbed to reduce fire risk and seasonal flooding, and participating in a monthly food drive on campus, with the next one scheduled for this weekend.  

“Our students have been very active, and they’ve been very engaged with a variety of community services,” Tran said, noting that the experiences give students “a deeper sense of purpose in connecting with the community and ... see tangible results that come out of connecting with people and serving people.”In every aspect of campus life, faith plays a central role, Tran highlighted. Nearly 100% of students regularly participate in prayer, Bible studies and weekday morning services.  

"This rhythm is simply part of everyday life on campus," he said. "That same sense of discipline carries into the classroom, where Olivet University students remain committed to their academic, personal, and spiritual growth.”

Throughout the interview, the OU chairman emphasized the school’s obligation to use its physical campus to glorify God. He discussed how a pastor from a local church came to the school and “prayed over this land” before they moved in, expressing hope to God “that whoever enters this land” would “use this property for Your purposes.”

“We’re actually fulfilling his prayer,” Tran reflected. 

Olivet University in Anza spans more than 900 acres (with an additional 800 acres off campus), according to the school’s website, and it sits on a historic Indian sanctuary. In addition to its Anza headquarters, other campuses are in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Washington, D.C.; St. Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Sanford, Florida.  The university plans to add other degree programs outside of California and has a strong and active alumni network.