About us
Founder
Dr. Cecil Cockerham
Dr. Cecil Cockerham is the founder of the American Seminary. He has been married to Janet Frazee Cockerham for “more than a day” as he often says. They have 4 adult children, many grandchildren, and some great-grandchildren.
His education includes a Doctor of Psychology, a Doctor of Divinity, a Certified Anger Management Therapist, a Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques Practitioner, and Peacemaker Training I, II, and III – A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, a Divine Healing Technician, trained by the John G. Lake Divine Healing Institute. Also, he holds a Mediation and Advanced Dispute Resolution Certificate. He has been involved in Higher Education since the mid-1980s. He earned his Doctorate Degree by developing a College-Level Curriculum in biblically-based counseling.
His first seminary, (American Seminary), was developed in 2012 and is available for higher education. His second seminary, (Global Grace Seminary), was developed some years later. He is retired from Global Grace as of February 2024. Having the privilege to be the founder of two major seminaries is quite an accomplishment and he points to the GRACE OF GOD for making that possible. Dr. Cockerham has been a coach, counselor, and mentor since 1989 and is very active as of this writing.
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Dean of students
Dr. Shawn Smith
Dr. Shawn Smith is an Ordained Minister, Theologian, Mystic, Missionary, Founder, and Overseer of Gospel of Christ Ministries, an ever-expanding network of Churches. He is a Theological Authority in the Gospel revealed to Apostle Paul, Chancellor of Theosis Higher Institute, Presider of Christ Commission International, Founder and Host of Festival of Blessings, an internationally recognized Speaker, Prolific Writer, Father, and Husband to Dr. Annie Smith, an Ordained Collaborator in the vineyard of God. Dr. Shawn Smith is also a certified Human Rights and International Diplomacy Protocol Consultant.
THEOSIS HIGHER INSTITUTE
Founding President and Chancellor, Dr. Smith is the Chancellor of Theosis Higher Institute, an internationally accredited Theological Higher Institute has as its mission to reclaim the ancient Apostolic and Patristic vision of the cosmic and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ. Founded in 2014, Theosis Higher Institute has continued to stand as an authoritative Patristic theological center of learning in Africa, Europe, and Asia, drawing in students from all over the world to be schooled and imparted with the Apostolic vision that helped shape the Church in the Apostolic and nascent periods.
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Chief operating officer
Dr. Annie Smith
Dr. Annie Smith is a Lecturer, serial Entrepreneur, Author, Pastor, Wife, and Mother. Dr. Annie is a lecturer in the Department of Management Sciences at the University of Douala, Cameroon. She obtained her BSc. and MSc. in Commerce and Distribution Management in 2001 and 2003, respectively, from the Catholic University of Central Africa, followed by a doctorate in Management Sciences from the University of Douala in 2022.
After a brief stint as an assistant lecturer at the University of Bamenda Higher Institute of Commerce and Management in 2012, she was appointed to the Department of Management Sciences at the “Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (ESSEC)” of the University of Douala, Cameroon, as a lecturer in 2013, where she also doubles as a lecturer at St. Jerome Catholic University till date. Her research interests include marketing information systems and customer relationships, public service, and market-oriented management.
She is also a certified trainer with the prestigious American Marketing Association.
In addition to teaching and researching, Dr. Annie Smith has been actively involved in consulting and executive education. She has worked with various companies, including Libya Oil Cameroon, Société Commerciale du Cameroun (TRADEX), and Orange Cameroon.