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University of Oklahoma Earns UPCEA Award for Excellence

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A student sitting at a table writes in a notebook while a laptop is open to a University of Oklahoma website that reads "A Flexible Way to Reach Your Goals."

University of Oklahoma Earns UPCEA Award for Excellence

OU Online Recognized for Advancing Student Success through Virtual Career Development Center


By

Holly Anderson
holly@ou.edu

Date

Feb. 10, 2025

NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma has been awarded the UPCEA Award for Excellence in Advancing Student Success for OU Online’s efforts to support students through its virtual Career Development Center. This national award recognizes outstanding contributions to students’ success in both credit and non-credit programs.

OU Online’s Career Development Center, led by Hannah Rieger, director of student support services, provides resources to help online students build career skills, explore different career paths, find community, apply for jobs or internships and more.

The platform integrates Handshake, LinkedIn Learning, Labor Market Insights, Career Resources and up-to-date articles, blogs and news in one convenient place. It provides innovative career development resources and support to online students and has been instrumental in helping them achieve their academic and professional goals. The center's efforts have significantly enhanced student engagement and success, making it a standout program.

Provost Andre Wright emphasized the importance of student success at OU.

"At the University of Oklahoma, we are committed to ensuring that every student has the resources and support they need to succeed,” Wright said. “The recognition of our virtual Career Development Center by UPCEA is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the OU Online team to make this happen. This award highlights our ongoing efforts to provide exceptional educational experiences and opportunities for all students.”

The UPCEA Award for Excellence in Advancing Student Success will be presented at the 2025 UPCEA Annual Conference, which will be held March 24-26 in Denver, Colorado. This recognition underscores OU's commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive and achieve their full potential.

For more information about OU Online and the Career Development Center, please visit the OU Online website at online.ou.edu.

About OU Online

OU Online provides an accessible, flexible education for those pursuing an online degree from the University of Oklahoma. As the regional leader of online learning, OU Online offers over 50 degree options to more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Every OU Online program is built on the foundation of world-class faculty mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. Learn more about online degree programs offered by the University of Oklahoma at online.ou.edu.

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.


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