Department: First-Year Learning and Engagement
Email: lorilee@ou.edu
Phone: (405) 325 - 3967
Office location: Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall, Suite 170
Education: BA, Journalism - University of Oklahoma
M.H.R., - University of Oklahoma
M.Ed., Adult and Higher Education - University of Oklahoma
Courses taught: UCOL 1002, First-Year Foundations (Fall)
UCOL 1022-922, Exploring Strengths (Fall and Spring)
UCOL 2022, Strategies for Success (Spring)
About Lori Stevens:
Lori joined University College in 2016. Prior to joining University College, Lori served as Associate Director for the Graduation Office for 10 years and as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Leadership and Development and in various internship and practicum roles across campus while working on her graduate degrees. Her passion for helping students create success in their transition to OU actually sparked while she was an undergraduate through various student leadership opportunities aimed at helping students create a sense of belonging on campus. Lori enjoys helping students explore and develop their strengths to become their best selves. She is a certified Strengths Educator and enjoys teaching CliftonStrengths to various groups.
Lori married her college sweetheart, Zac Stevens, in June 2003. Zac and Lori met at OU as undergraduates during a pick-up football game in the snow. They welcomed their son, Caskey, in 2010. Zac serves as Assistant Senior Fellow for Dunham College. The Stevens family enjoys traveling, cheering on the Sooners, and celebrating life together!
What do you like most about working with new students?
Having the opportunity to walk alongside students as they begin such an important and transformational journey is exciting and a great honor. I am a learner and I learn a lot from our newest Sooners. I love supporting students as they create and chase their dreams. The transition into college is important to student success and self efficacy. Being able to have a positive impact in that critical transition is incredibly rewarding.
What is your favorite OU tradition?
It's really hard for me to choose just one. However, singing the OU Chant is a part of so many of my favorite OU traditions, it has become a favorite on its own. Whether it is at Convocation, OU's Official welcome to new students, or together with 86,000 of your best friends at an OU football game, or 'neath a western sky at Commencement, thousands strong join heart and song as they raise their right index fingers high into the air and sing the OU Chant together. A sense of belongingness and pride wells up in me each time I sing the OU Chant.
What is your favorite place on campus?
The Pitman Parterre fountain on the South Oval is my favorite spot for a few reasons. This lovely spot is where my college sweetheart, and now husband, proposed to me.
The fountain is also a beautiful place to relax. It's a great spot to meet up with friends since it's right in the middle of the South Oval and the hustle and bustle of campus life. I also love that this fountain, like so many other beautiful locations on campus, was a gift to the University. It reminds me that each time we give to others, the ripples of that gift will continue to impact in ways we'll never know. One of my favorite, most life-changing moments happened at that fountain, and I'm certain the Pitman family may never know what a special place their gift is to me.
