President Caroline Whitson has named Reverend Roy M. Mitchell chaplain and director of church relations at Columbia College. Mitchell assumed his duties at the College on July 1.

Mitchell comes to Columbia from the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he most recently served as the lead pastor at Lewisburg United Methodist Church. He also has wide experience in youth and young adult ministries.
Mitchell’s duties as chaplain will include conducting the weekly chapel services, and providing pastoral care to faculty, staff, and students. In addition to providing pastoral care, the Chaplain works with student groups, faculty and staff to develop and implement a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth. Programs strive to be creative, diverse and ecumenical, including study experiences, interfaith dialogues, retreats, mission projects, and special conferences.

In his role as director of church relations, he serves as a bridge between Columbia College and the South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He promotes support and understanding of the work of United Methodist higher education—specifically the work of Columbia College—through preaching, teaching, and visiting United Methodist Churches throughout South Carolina.
Mitchell received his masters of divinity degree and masters of theological studies from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and his bachelors of art in psychology and child/family studies from The University of Tennessee. He is an ordained Full Elder of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is joined in Columbia by his wife, Melissa and their two children.