Education

Rose State College (RSC) hosted its seventh Annual Black Male Summit this past Tuesday, Nov. 7. The event took place at the Jeanie Webb Student Union and witnessed a record-breaking turnout of 400 attendees, making it the largest in the summit’s history.

Keynote speaker Cordney McClain, MBA – a Grammy-nominated artist in the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category – inspired students with his powerful oratory skills. Throughout the summit, notable speakers shared insights on various important topics, such as education, leadership, entrepreneurship, mental health and community engagement.

For more information about this event and RSC, check out its website at www.rose.edu.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

During the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education instituted an emergency relief, automatically pausing student loan payments and setting loan interest rates to 0% from March 13, 2020 to Sept. 1, 2023.

With the pause lifted, borrowers began receiving bills again Oct. 1, with first payments due by the end of October. However, more than 300,000 borrowers were given incorrect information about their loan repayments, and both long wait times and inaccurate answers plague loan provider call lines.

Borrowers are encouraged to look into SAVE, a loan assistance program, or loan forgiveness eligibility for loans at least 20-25 years old.

– Ashley Goodrich, 360 Media, Inc., The Atlanta 100

Rose State College is increasing pathways into the workforce with a micro-credential biotechniques program.

ARL Bio Pharma and DNA Solutions is partnering with Rose State to help build the micro-credential biotechniques program to ensure it aligns with workforce needs. As biotech continues to be an emerging industry throughout Oklahoma, the hands-on training provided through the Rose State program helps guide students along a pathway that leads to these in-demand careers.

ARL Bio Pharma is dedicated to hiring certified candidates from Rose State College programs. Interested participants can find more information and register on their website. Learn more at workforce.rose.edu.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Congratulations to Gage Wilson, Kileigh Mixon and Paige Baker, the 2023 Robert Ruck Scholarship recipients. These three powerful Stroud High School seniors have been awarded $2,500 each to support their higher education pursuits. The scholarship, renamed after M International’s President and COO Robert Ruck, recognizes these outstanding students.

With an increase from two to three winners this year, Mint Turbines stays committed to empowering the future workforce. Gage’s, Kileigh’s and Paige’s remarkable achievements, leadership and dedicated community involvement make them deserving awardees.

Mint Turbines is honored to celebrate their success and wishes them all continued excellence in their educational journeys.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and DCCCA Oklahoma will offer a virtual Mental Health First Aid training on Friday, May 26.

In 2021, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-24 in Oklahoma, highlighting the need for early intervention and mental health resources for our youth.

The training class is for adults 18+ to assist adolescents with mental health issues. The evidence-based training covers how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.

Training classes are open to all Oklahomans. Learn more and register here.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State College and the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) have developed a partnership to promote educational attainment and degree completion for students.

The new partnership will establish cooperative educational programs to create pathways for a UNTD degree. The goals are to improve student access, success and four-year degree completion; expand student options for college-level curriculum and also supply students with clear program articulations from Rose State associate degrees to UNTD baccalaureate degrees.

Students who have successfully completed 60 transferrable semester hours from Rose State will be able to enroll in UNTD courses after meeting their admission policies.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

In both the spring and the fall, students in the Dental Hygiene Program at Rose State College offer clinical services to the community.

This year, students went a step further by assembling and delivering care bundles for patients at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in partnership with Carrie Wucinich, a dental hygienist and founder of Kindness Conquers – a non-profit for children battling cancer.

Each bundle included products children need while undergoing cancer treatments: dental supplies, sand timers, small toys, treats, oral hygiene instructions, educational activities and a workbook that provides a fun, interactive way of learning about the importance of oral health.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Constance Kettler, a student at Rose State College, was named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and received a $1,500 scholarship.

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service.

“This prestigious recognition is a testament to Constance’s outstanding academic achievement, leadership and dedication to community service,” said Rose State College President Dr. Jeanie Webb.

The Coca-Cola Academic Team members were recognized in local and statewide ceremonies and internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, held in Columbus, Ohio, April 20-22.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State College in Midwest City earned the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School designation. Additionally, the college was awarded the Silver designation, which means that it is within 20% of the top 10 ranked organizations.

“At Rose State, we strive to provide resources that offer the utmost support for military personnel, veterans and their families, and we are honored to receive the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School Designation and to also receive the Silver designation in recognition of our continued efforts,” Rose State President Dr. Jeanie Webb said.

To learn about the veteran student services Rose State College offers, visit www.rose.edu.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Juan Dills, a student at Rose State College, is one of 20 students named to the prestigious All-USA Academic Team and will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Team members were selected for outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, community and campus engagement. More than 2,400 students were nominated for this award. Dills attended Miami High School in Miami, Oklahoma and is a first-generation college student in his family.

Dills will be recognized during the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) convention in April. In addition to the scholarship funds, recipients will be presented with commemorative medallions. Their college presidents will receive commemorative obelisks.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State, a two-year community college, has added a new Associate in Science Degree in Data Science and Analytics. Data Scientists are much in demand in Oklahoma and the job is one of the fastest growing professions in the country. Graduates can work in sectors that include  aerospace, energy, government, healthcare, engineering and utilities.

Rose State has also added a 16-week drone course that provides an introduction to small unmanned aircraft system operations with an emphasis on civil applications.

Upon completion of the course, which includes hands-on experience with drone flying, students are prepared to take the  FAA certification test.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State College hosted the Tower Awards ceremony on Sept. 22 to honor community members who have made significant contributions to the college. The awards were established in 2010 for the college’s 40th anniversary.

The 2022 Tower Awards were given to Randy and Donna Smith, and Dick and Glenna Tanenbaum.

The Smiths have worked within the banking industry for decades and have provided extensive scholarship assistance to students to achieve their dreams of higher education. Dick Tanenbaum is one of Oklahoma’s largest developers and the couple gave $1.3 million to establish the Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center earlier this year.

– Jack Phillips, Jones PR

Rose State College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, a program jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Cyber security courses at Rose State grant students the opportunity to venture into the world of technology-based protection and provide experience in how to apply a variety of network technologies in the world today. The courses are continuously being updated to serve the most up-to-date techniques that prepare students for careers that are high in demand.

Visit Rose State’s website to learn more about a degree in cyber security.

– Jack Phillips, Jones PR

Norman high school students, Aubrey Baker and Easton Fowler, have been named Class 101 scholarship recipients.

Class 101, the national college planning franchise that gives scholarships to young deserving students who need access to financial aid, awarded Baker and Fowler with $1,000 each for their college tuitions. Baker will be attending the University of Oklahoma this fall.

Baker and Fowler competed against hundreds of applicants but were chosen for their demonstrations of leadership in making the Norman community a better place. The scholarship was also based on overall academic achievement.

The application was open to all grade 9-12 students nationwide.

– Aubrey Craig, Jones PR

Concerned about the cost of higher education? Look no further, because Oklahoma has been named America’s cheapest state to attend school.

DealA compiled a list of all 50 states in the United States and ranked them on student costs to discover the cheapest, and most expensive, places to be a student. This new research says Oklahoma is America’s most cost-effective location to be a student. North Dakota and Arkansas ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Oklahoma students can benefit from a lower cost of living and a comforting small-town feel in cities, suburbs and rural areas across the state.

– Cassidy Littlewood, Jones PR