Regents' Update
by Connie Reilly, Chair
Regional University System of Oklahoma regents recently toured Tinker Air Force Base’s Air Logistics Complex. Over 26,000 mostly civilian employees use cutting edge technology to ensure that military aviation units are ready to safeguard national security. Engineers, mechanics and technicians are in high demand at Tinker and in the private sector as aerospace in Oklahoma rapidly expands. 
Aerospace is the second largest industry in Oklahoma and aerospace engineers need an engineering degree from an accredited university. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oklahoma needs a minimum of 3,000 new engineers annually over the next 9 years to keep up with workforce demands. Currently, Oklahoma’s accredited engineering programs graduate 1,500 students per year, and half of those graduates leave the state, forcing Tinker and others to recruit out of state. Oklahoma ranks in the bottom 20 in engineers per capita.
 
RUSO is dedicated to ensuring students from any part of the state have their opportunity to get an engineering degree. 80% of Oklahoma’s population lives in a county that is within 25 miles of one of RUSO’s locations. Our universities are more accessible to students. We’re smaller. We’re less expensive – our academic service fees are only one-third of what other universities charge. And for rural students who want to stay close to home, our universities provide a quality, comprehensive education. 
Updates from RUSO
Scholarship Program for Ukrainian Students Announced
RUSO's six university presidents have announced a scholarship program available for Ukrainian students. The intention is to assist those who are seriously impacted and/or displaced by the Russian invasion. If the student meets university admission standards and has their scholarship application approved, the scholarship will cover costs for undergraduate degrees and on-campus residences. To be eligible, students must apply for admission by July 2024. Read more about the scholarship program here.
2022 Higher Education Day at the Capitol
RUSO is proud to have participated in Higher Education Day on February 15, 2022. Our students, staff, administration and mascots met with lawmakers at the Capitol to share stories and thank them for supporting higher education programs like Oklahoma's Promise. Thank you to all the legislators who engaged with RUSO students this year. We appreciate your time and support!
ECU and NWOSU Conduct Presidential Searches
The Regional University System of Oklahoma recently invited applications and nominations for the next president of East Central University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Applications were accepted through March 11. The presidential search screening committees of each university are meeting and making recommendations. First round electronic interviews for both universities will begin in April. Stay up to date at RUSO.edu.
Benefits Update
Telemedicine Available for
Faculty & Staff
from Crystal Chavez, RUSO/OKHEEI Benefits Coordinator
Speak with a doctor- anytime, anywhere!
Getting sick after hours or on weekends used to mean a long, costly trip to the emergency room or urgent care center. Now, with your virtual visits benefit, provided by AETNA TelaDoc or BCBS of Oklahoma MDLive, the doctor is in 24/7/365. And you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home.
 
Virtual visits allow you to consult a doctor for non-emergency situations by phone, mobile app or online video anytime, anywhere. 

 
Why virtual visits?
  • 24/7 access to board-certified doctors
  • Access via phone, online video or mobile app from almost anywhere
  • Average wait time of less than 20 minutes
  •  If needed, get a prescription sent to your local pharmacy

Virtual visit doctors can treat a variety of non-emergency conditions, including:
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Cold/flu
  • Ear infections
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Insect bites
  • Nausea
  • Pink eye
  • Rash
  • Sinus infections
 
Activate your telemedicine account by choosing one of the following options:
 
For ECU, SWOSU, SE, NSU and NWOSU:
·        Call MDLife at 888-976-4081
·        Go to MDLIVE.com/bcbsok
·        Text BCBSOK to 635-483
·        Download the MDLIVE app

For UCO Employees:
·        Visit Teladoc.com/Aetna or 1-855-TELADOC (835-2362)
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RUSO and Workforce Development
Northeastern State University Recognized for Collaboration with Community Health

Northeastern State University and Northeastern Community Health Centers Inc. were among 26 business and higher education partnerships throughout the state who were recognized as innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce. Read More
Southwestern Oklahoma State University's Aerospace and Defense Workforce Development Initiative
From participating in the Argonia Cup (a collegiate rocketry competition where students learn to build and fly a rocket) and building 3-D printed drones to learning how Arduino microcontrollers work and working at the Stafford Air & Space Museum, SWOSU students build seismographs and telescopes, attend regional conferences, and are prepared to enter the workforce of Oklahoma's second largest industry.
Student Spotlight
NWOSU's Samantha Friday
Samantha Friday, a Northwestern Oklahoma State University junior psychology major and visual arts minor from Dallas, was one of 62 selected visual artists to have their artwork featured in the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition “Momentum” Exhibition March 25-27 in Oklahoma City. The three-day event will take place at TAP Architecture at 415 North Broadway Ave. in Oklahoma City. 
ECU's MLK Spirt Award Winners
Three East Central University students were recently honored with the MLK Spirit Award as part of ECU’s Black History Month activities. Jaymin McClarty, Delanie Seals, and Jakaveon Shaw all received the honor. They were recognized for leadership in the classroom and community and using those skills to positively impact others through service.
Alumni Success Stories
SE Graduate Helps Oklahoma's Foster Care Kids
Christian Boone was a first-generation college student. Now she is the Director of Development for CASA of Oklahoma County, where the funding she raises provides trained Court-Appointed Special Advocates who serve as a source of stability for kids in foster care. Boone says that Southeastern Oklahoma State University is the catalyst for her success. Read more
deadCenter Leader Found Her Path at UCO
deadCenter Executive Director and University of Central Oklahoma alumni, Alyx Picard, has watched the festival become a reflection of the state’s investment in film and television throughout her almost 20 years with the organization. Today Picard is proud that the organization offers education programs and is partnering with schools around the metro area. She hopes to show future members of our state’s workforce how vast the film industry really is and how much Oklahoma has to offer the art form. Learn more
Great Happenings at Your Regional University
The East Central University School of Nursing has recently increased the amount of applicants that can be accepted by opening up a second entry point to the nursing program. Doing so helps ECU meet the demand for nursing jobs throughout the state of Oklahoma and beyond. An estimated 67,300 health care jobs are open in Oklahoma. Read more

The Massey Family Foundation has established the John Massey Leaders program. The gift will provide scholarships for 40 Southeastern students per year, after the initial phasing of 10 students per year the first four years. Scholarships will consist of $10,000 per year, renewable for four years. Learn more

NSU's annual Symposium on the American Indian in will focus on celebrating the next generation of Indigenous scholars and community leaders. The 49th annual Symposium on the American Indian will take place April 4 to 9. This year’s theme is “Fulfilling Our Ancestors’ Dreams.” Learn more

SWOSU held the dedication of the General Thomas P. Stafford Archives recently. Located in the Al Harris Library at SWOSU Weatherford, the archives utilize the latest in preservation technology and techniques to house sensitive historical documents and papers. The archives highlight Stafford's lifetime of achievements. Learn more

NWOSU saw spring semester growth in concurrent enrollment and graduate enrollment numbers. Northwestern’s graduate school experienced an 11.4 percent increase in enrollment while the number of students enrolled in concurrent classes, which are classes for qualifying high school juniors and seniors, continues to increase with 18.8 percent.

UCO has earned the Military Friendly gold designation from Viqtory Media. The recognition is based on academics, student retention, campus resources, flexibility, graduation rates, tuition assistance and job placement for military-connected students. Read more
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