Innovative institution, business partnerships receive Regents Business Partnership Excellence Awards

Twenty-seven business and higher education partnerships throughout the state were recently recognized as innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions, businesses, and the community to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants. State Regents’ Chair Michael C. Turpen, State Regent Courtney Warmington, State Regent Steven W. Taylor, and Chancellor Allison D. Garrett participated in the ceremony, held April 27 at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships that enable current students to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.

‘Our colleges and universities continue collaborating successfully with public, private and nonprofit partners to strengthen economic and workforce development across Oklahoma,’ said Garrett. ‘Producing more workforce-ready graduates by increasing communication with employers and connecting students to the workforce sooner is a fundamental goal of Blueprint 2030, the State Regents’ new strategic plan for public higher education. We are proud to recognize these partnerships and their positive impact on Oklahoma businesses and communities.’

The partnerships recognized for 2023 are: Carl Albert State College and the Cherokee Nation Carl Albert State College received a donation from the Cherokee Nation to enhance the Child Development Program at CASC. This gift will expand offerings and capabilities in this academic area, particularly in virtual delivery formats, so more Cherokee students, families, and childcare workers may have accessible means for growth and enrichment. This goal will be achieved through the creation and implementation of innovative virtual child development classrooms and labs. These classrooms and labs will provide multi-level opportunities for students to learn and obtain the necessary skills to work with children from infancy through preschool age.

Connors State College and the Cherokee Nation Connors State College, in collaboration with the Cherokee Nation, is addressing the nursing shortage with the Career Ladder program. For Career Ladder students, prior learning credit is awarded for first- and second-semester nursing courses. The partnership reduces the cost to those students seeking to advance their education and increase their credentials. The Cherokee Nation has provided CSC with a donation for the nursing program to grow the local workforce and provide additional education and training for healthcare professionals serving patients in northeast Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation also continues to ensure cultural identity and development of the tribally enrolled student population remains supported.

Northeastern State University and the Cherokee Nation In addition to funding scholarships for Cherokee students at Northeastern State University, tribal leaders donated $300,000 for a renovation project which will allow the NSU Center of Tribal Studies to relocate to better serve Native American students. Last year, the Cherokee Nation donated $5 million to the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry Vision for the Future campaign, which will create a new facility for Oklahoma’s only optometry college and the Cherokee Nation’s comprehensive and quality eye care provider. Cherokee leaders bolstered support of its longtime NSU partner with a gift of $4 million to help restore Seminary Hall for future generations.