In order to achieve Reed’s stated goal of being a “student-ready college,” she is hiring faculty, as well as spearheading space and facility development. Attendees at the State of OUPI met the initial faculty hires in the areas of software development and integration and cybersecurity. These faculty bring more than 80 years of industry experience combined. Exciting facility enhancements underway include a cyber arena (the first of its kind in the state of Oklahoma), senior design studio, and digital manufacturing lab.
Future students are responding. Student applications stand at more than 30. The average age of the applicants so far is 29, with 13% being veterans, 33% first-generation college students, and 33% women. Many applicants are currently Tulsa Community College students and working adults interested in retooling and changing industries or advancing in their careers.
Community and industry financial support for the OU Polytechnic Institute has already been established by such entities as the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Google, Williams, Bank of Oklahoma, and, coming later this spring, the Pamela S. and Terry L. Carter Scholarship. There are many more opportunities for partnerships, both financially and through contributions of resources and expertise. The future of OUPI is bright and northeastern Oklahoma continues to show its support.