Biola Grieves Passing of Campus Safety Chief John Ojeisekhoba

John Ojeisekhoba Sr., Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety at ���պ���, passed away from apparent cardiac arrest, university leaders announced on Monday, September 1, 2025. He was 54.

Affectionately known as Chief O, Ojeisekhoba had served at Biola since 2000 leaving a profound impact on the campus community as well as on safety issues locally, nationally and internationally. He was a well-respected leader who cared deeply for students and keeping college campuses safe, which was undergirded by his faith in Christ.

“I believe the Lord is at work and has been at work in my life. I want students to draw from this and build and feel encouraged,” Chief Ojeisekhoba shared in an article in .

Born in Nigeria as one of nineteen children, Ojeisekhoba in a home that valued integrity modeled by his father, who served as the local police chief. From early mornings working on the farm to long walks to school, his childhood demanded perseverance, but it also instilled discipline and resilience that carried into his athletic pursuits. Discovering his talent for track and field, Ojeisekhoba pursued the dream of coming to America — a dream that was finally realized after years of visa denials.

In 1996, Ojeisekhoba began his time at Biola as a student and competed on the track and field team as a long jumper. He joined Biola as a Campus Safety officer in 2000 and earned a master’s degree in intercultural studies in the same year, and earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership in 2004. He was promoted to Chief of Campus Safety in 2009 and subsequently appointed to his most recent role as Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety in 2019.

“Never have I served alongside a leader more respected, recognized and responsible than John Ojeisekhoba,” said ���պ��� President Barry H. Corey. “He is regarded on our campus, across the nation and around the world not only as a paragon of college safety professionalism but also as a man who embodies the grace and convictions of our shared faith community. Because he spent his days and nights working to protect our university, we slept soundly knowing our students were protected and cared for. Because he led a team relentlessly watching over our campus, we could be a haven of hospitality for those who worked and studied at Biola. Because he attended tirelessly to current trends in higher education safety and applied himself to constant learning, he helped Biola not only stay ahead of potential threats but became a trusted counsel for leaders who were seeking to keep America’s campuses safe. In all this, he was also a beloved friend to me.”

Ojeisekhoba’s leadership and dedication to students extended beyond ���պ���. He served on multiple boards, including the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), where he served as president in 2024, and was recently appointed as the president of the California College and University Police Chiefs Association (CCUPCA). His influence in local, state, national and international positions of leadership among campus safety associations was a testimony to his character and competence, an esteemed professional in that sector.

He has been recognized for his expertise in campus safety and security through prestigious appointments and awards. In 2024, the Veterans of Foreign Wars named him Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The following year, he was appointed to the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council (HSAPC) by the (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. In the same year, he was honored with the for his exceptional service and positive impact on the city of La Mirada.

In 2021, he received the Achievers Award from the Southern California chapter of NOBLE, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. The award was accompanied by recognitions from the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Police Commission and Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer. He also received the President’s Award from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) in June of this year and was named “Campus Safety Director of the Year” by Campus Safety Magazine in 2015, in addition to the National Chief of the Year Award.

Beyond leading Biola’s campus safety and emergency preparedness efforts, Ojeisekhoba for universities and organizations across the nation. Since 2003, he had also taught self-defense classes as adjunct professor at Biola and served as a reserve police officer with the Garden Grove Police Department. Ojeisekhoba, who passed away on August 31, 2025, is survived by his wife of 25 years and their five children.

Randy Chung, assistant chief of Campus Safety, who has served under Ojeisekhoba’s leadership since 2008, will step in as Interim Chief of Campus Safety. Chung will lead the Campus Safety team of 25 staff and uphold the legacy of excellence and service Ojeisekhoba not only modeled but instilled in each of them.

In honor of Ojeisekhoba as a uniformed officer, the flags on Biola’s campus will be flown at half-staff.

In lieu of flowers, the Ojeisekhoba family requests that gifts be made to a memorial fund that will be established in the coming days. Information about a memorial service will be announced in the days to come.