The Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Education Leadership Summit convened more than 125 leaders from the region’s public-school districts and higher education institutions Wednesday morning to discuss the opportunities and challenges in preparing students for the modern workforce. 

Dr. Laura Latta, executive director of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, emceed the event and moderated a panel featuring new leadership at four regional colleges: OU-Tulsa Vice President Susan Bynum; Northeastern State University President Dr. Rodney Hanley; Langston University President Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson; and Rogers State University interim President Dr. Mark Rasor. 

“It is an exciting time in higher education,” Latta said, highlighting record enrollments and expanding interest in regional institutions. “We’re seeing bigger freshman classes and more transfer students than ever before.” 

The panel focused on the vision of each of the new leaders for their campus and how their institutions are preparing students to enter the workforce. More cooperation with industry experts and a desire to meet modern workforce needs were common themes.  

Susan Bynum discussed the OU Polytechnic Institute, an industry-designed program aimed at meeting the demand for professionals in AI and software integration. 

“When our students graduate, they will be ready to enter the workforce and contribute immediately,” she said. 

All the panelists emphasized the importance of industry advisory boards to inform their curriculum. Langston, the only Historically Black College in the state, uses business leaders on advisory councils as guest lecturers, giving students direct connections with employers and more real-world experience, Jackson said. 

The event also provided an opportunity for local school superintendents to share updates from their districts.  

Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller highlighted the district’s growth, with 2,300 new students and $100 million in capital projects nearing completion. 

Jenks Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Lair talked about the school’s first aerospace program in partnership with Tulsa Tech, offering students hands-on experience in aerospace maintenance and the opportunity to begin pursuing a pilot’s license. 

Superintendents also addressed challenges in recruiting teachers, stressing the need to cool down the rhetoric against public schools. 

“There is a false narrative that public education is failing,” Union Superintendent Dr. John Federline. “I assure you that nothing is farther from the truth.”