Education

In a recent study, Oklahoma’s career and technical schools reported its programs are adding nearly $1 billion to the state’s economy.

“CareerTech is strengthening our state’s economic future and providing life-changing opportunities for thousands of Oklahomans,” said Brent Haken, Oklahoma CareerTech director.

These programs include Oklahoma CareerTech’s 29 technology centers, 16 Skills Centers and 32 adult education and family literacy providers. The technology centers supported more than 8,500 jobs.

In FY23, CareerTech’s programs had a 94% placement rate for its graduates. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati. Learn about educational and career opportunities here.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Oral Roberts University (ORU) is bolstering Oklahoma’s workforce through its renowned internship program. With a focus on fields projected for double-digit growth by 2030 – such as finance, accounting, marketing, strategic media, communication and human resources development – the university’s internship initiative is crucial for preparing students for professional success.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission states jobs requiring bachelor’s degrees, particularly those which lead into people and processes management, are set to expand significantly. ORU’s College of Business and College of Arts & Cultural Studies have tailored their internship programs to meet this demand, partnering with local employers to address critical workforce needs.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Junior Achievement and Big Village shared survey results that reported 68% of teens would be “likely” to take a class on financial literacy, according to this press release. However, only 31% of teen participants shared that they have access to financial literacy courses at their schools. This survey was conducted by Big Village between July 9-14 and included 1,002 teens between the ages of 13 and 17.

“When you ask adults what they wish they learned in school but didn’t, it usually involves topics like understanding how money works,” said Shannan Beeler, president of Junior Achievement of Oklahoma.

Read more here.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Last week, Semper Fly Helicopters, a veteran woman-owned business, officially opened. Its owner, Brandi Rector, did two tours of duty with the Marine Corps and earned her pilot’s license after leaving the military.

The University of Oklahoma School of Aviation is partnering with Semper Fly Helicopters to offer a Professional Pilot – Helicopter Bachelor of Science degree.

“Semper Fly Helicopters is more than just a flight school. It’s a testament to resilience, passion and the pursuit of excellence,” Rector said, according to The Journal Record.

To learn more about this exciting new program, including application guidelines and due dates, click here.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

Oklahoma State University and Oral Roberts University are among the 25 U.S. colleges and universities that are the first to receive the Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification. This classification is an elective designation and “recognizes institutions that have committed to campus-wide efforts to advance leadership in pursuit of public goods like justice, equity, diversity, and liberty,” according to the press release.

“Students from these institutions will undoubtedly shape a brighter future for us all, upholding fundamental American values and advancing opportunity for the nation,” said Carnegie Foundation President Timothy F.C. Knowles.

Learn more about this classification here.

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

1Oklahoma, a pioneering NIL group, has launched, merging previous OU NIL collectives into one dynamic entity. Aiming to help advance OU Athletics into the SEC, 1Oklahoma fosters collaboration and revenue generation through a market-based model offering subscription content, events, merchandise and more.

This new organization delivers tangible value to fans and sustainable opportunities for student athletes. “We aren’t merely altering the approach to NIL; we’re setting a new benchmark,” CEO Jeff Weber said.

Fans are invited to subscribe for exclusive access at 1Oklahoma.com. This initiative promises to energize the fanbase and support OU’s athletic evolution. Learn more: 1Oklahoma.com

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Mint Turbines awarded the 2024 Rob Ruck Scholarship to three outstanding students, each receiving $2,500. Named in honor of M International’s President and COO Robert Ruck, this scholarship celebrates the academic and extracurricular achievements of these exceptional students.

This scholarship, which requires a GPA of 3.25 or higher and is open to those pursuing higher education in any field, was presented at the Stroud Awards Ceremony by Rob Ruck on Monday, May 13.

The recipients included Makenna Hall of Stroud, Peyton Gaylord of Davenport and Andrew Clovis of Stroud. These students were selected due to their accomplishments, leadership and community engagement.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

For 28 years, Whiz Kids, an after-school literacy tutoring and mentorship program, has empowered OKC’s students, providing one-to-one mentoring to elementary students reading below grade level and navigating inequitable circumstances.

Spanning 28 sites, over 575 students benefit from dedicated volunteers and teacher liaisons who meet weekly to work on literacy concepts and character-building skills. Research confirms the profound impact of mentoring, and many students are waiting to be paired with a caring adult. Join Whiz Kids to bridge educational gaps and invest in our city’s greatest asset: our children.

Visit citycareokc.org/whizkids and explore ways you can make a difference.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State College’s Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center will host a two-day cybersecurity event from April 17-18. This event is presented in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center, Rose State College and Guernsey, which is the only Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) based in Oklahoma.

The focus of this event – geared towards small businesses, industry stakeholders, and DoD contractors and subcontractors – will be on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance for the Department of Defense (DoD). Develop your knowledge and skills in enhancing cybersecurity measures, achieving compliance and understanding the costs and value to your organization.

Registration is advised.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Calling all educators! Rose State College announced an exciting opportunity for educators with the “Teach the Teacher” course that’s focused on 3D printing technology.

The free course will take place May 9-11 and promises to enrich teachers’ pedagogical approaches with cutting-edge 3D printing knowledge and applications.

“It’s an opportunity for educators to expand their tech skills and enhance classroom learning. Educators who complete the course will receive a new 3D printer to take back to their schools, completely free of charge. We look forward to empowering teachers with these tools,” shared Matt Weinrich, director of K-12 Initiatives at Rose State.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Edmond North High School and Edmond Santa Fe High School clinched victory at the Oklahoma State Championship in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. Emerging triumphant at the Ben E. Keith Oklahoma ProStart Student Invitational, Edmond North won the culinary competition and Edmond Santa Fe won the restaurant management competition.

Their stellar performances have earned them a shot at national glory, as they prepare to journey to Baltimore for the 2024 National ProStart Invitational from April 26-28. Competing against top talents from schools nationwide, these students will vie for coveted national championships. Their dedication and skill promise an exhilarating competition ahead.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Oklahoma State University’s commitment to excellence in STEM education shines brightly in the 2024 rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT) soared to No. 9 in the category of Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs for Veterans.

Dr. John Veenstra, CEAT’s interim dean, stated “CEAT is excited and proud that the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff were rewarded with outstanding rankings for both our online master’s in engineering programs and for veterans.” OSU continues to champion innovation and inclusivity in higher education.

Read more about the rankings here.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Metro Tech’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, inaugurated in 2022, provides a pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals. The 16-week program is tailored to equip students with the essential skills needed to obtain their EMT license.

An exciting addition to the curriculum is the state-of-the-art Classroom Ambulance Simulator, crafted by Simulator Solutions. Kara Owens, program instructor and EMT, stated “This is one of the most realistic training opportunities they can get outside of being hands-on in the field,” as reported on metrotech.edu.

The simulator enhances the learning experience, offering a lifelike environment for students to hone their emergency response capabilities.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

The Oklahoma Paralegal Association recently awarded Olivia Lloyd, who is a student at Rose State College, the title of Paralegal Student of the Year.

Lloyd balances the responsibilities of parenthood, full-time employment in the legal field, part-time service industry work and her academics without compromising the quality of her work. Her recognition as the Oklahoma Paralegal Association’s Student of the Year underscores Lloyd’s contributions and dedication to the legal field. Her accomplishment is a testament to the caliber of students produced by Rose State’s two-year paralegal program.

For more information about Rose State’s Paralegal Studies program, please visit rose.edu.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State College has been awarded a transformative $9.4 million American Rescue Plan grant. The funds will go towards the expansion of its nursing school and will also provide scholarships of $10,000 to 30 students yearly.

“Most of our students, they’re working at least part-time – and the majority are working full time, in health care roles. We want to help lessen the amount of hours they have to work to pay for school,” shared Connie D. Kuebeck, RN, MS, MBA, associate dean of the Health Sciences Division at Rose State College, according to The Oklahoman.

Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment!

– Staff report, The Oklahoma 100

The Sooner Nation Collective announced its first three community partners: Oklahoma Humane Society, Wings Special Needs Community and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

This new collective developed two NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) opportunities for OU student athletes to bring awareness to the missions of these nonprofits. The women’s basketball team worked with Wings to promote its annual fall festival, while the baseball team worked to advertise the OK Humane’s Sweet Sixteen Hero Awards. The Collective is expected to announce upcoming work with the food bank soon.

Learn more about becoming a partner or making a contribution: thesoonernation.org.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

The Sooner Nation Collective proudly welcomes Megan Ellis as its executive director. With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Ellis previously led the Oklahoma Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and served as the director of communications for the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center.

An OU graduate with advanced degrees from Boston University and Harvard, her passion for fostering community-minded individuals aligns seamlessly with The Sooner Nation Collective’s goals to make service to others part of student athletes’ personal brands.

Learn about the positive impact that NIL will have on student athletes and the community at thesoonernation.org.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

The Sooner Nation Collective – the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program supporting community-based nonprofits and businesses – launched on Thursday, Oct. 19. Celebrated with OU VP and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione in addition to the collective’s Executive Director Megan Ellis, both individuals emphasized the program’s alignment with OU’s commitment to make service a part of student-athletes’ personal brands.

The collective aims to bridge the gap between scholarships and educational costs, enabling student-athletes – especially those without full scholarships – to earn money leveraging their NIL and raising awareness for community nonprofits and businesses.

For more information on how to get involved, visit thesoonernation.org.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) recently celebrated the opening of its aviation maintenance technology training program.

Students in this program learn how to conduct pre-flight inspections, perform routine and preventive aircraft maintenance and repair airframe and powerplant (engine) components. This is a hands-on program providing authentic training experiences to prepare students for careers in the field.

“Moore Norman Technology Center’s aviation maintenance technology program speaks to the limitless future of the district. May we continue to clear the runway for students to fill the ever-changing workforce needs of our community, state and country,” shared MNTC Superintendent and CEO Brian Ruttman.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

After gas and oil production, aviation is the second largest industry in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is investing in the future aerospace and defense industry workforce by adopting its largest ever Aero Education Program for FY 2024, a $1 million investment.

More than half the money is going towards competitive grant awards. Funds were also awarded to all Oklahoma high schools teaching the AOPA “You Can Fly” curriculum to provide supplies and professional development opportunities. Additionally, funding was approved for four major aerospace education events and development or improvement of classroom laboratories dedicated to teaching aviation and aerospace programs.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

We may have more students considering a career in the film industry. For two days this summer, 89 high school students got an up-close look at the world of filmmaking through deadCenter University, learning from industry professionals that included directors, stunt artists, special effects makeup artists and directors of photography.

The experience was free for the students, thanks to a partnership between deadCenter Film Festival and Metro Technology Centers. They got to work on four scene scenarios at Green Pasture Studios. The program is open to any student in grades 9-12.

Find out more about the program at metrotech.edu/dcu.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100

Rose State College and National University (NU) have joined forces to enhance educational opportunities for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in paralegal studies.

Their partnership aligns NU’s foundational paralegal courses with Rose State’s equivalencies and streamlines the transfer process for Rose State students seeking to expand their studies at NU.

Once students complete 45 quarter units of transfer courses at Rose State, they become eligible for NU’s paralegal studies program, along with a tuition reduction scholarship.

To learn more about Rose State, visit rose.edu. For more information about the partnership with National University, please visit nu.edu.

– Staff Report, The Oklahoma 100