Reach Higher: Oklahoma’s Adult Degree Completion

Initiative

REACH HIGHER is…Based on ResearchOver 300,000 Oklahomans left college with some credit and 2.0 or better GPA, but no degree (associate or baccalaureate).

People leave college for:oFamily reasonsoFinances

2004 OSRHE Market Assessment

REACH HIGHER is…Based on Research

Two major reasons for returning to complete a degree:oPersonal satisfactionoBetter job opportunities

Factors impacting their re-enrollment in college:oConvenienceoAccelerated formatoCredit for previous experienceoCost

2004 OSRHE Market Assessment

REACH HIGHER: Flex Finish is…Designed by university and college faculty and administrators in Oklahoma to meet the needs of businesses.

Unique in the nation as to the collaboration, sharing of courses, sharing of marketing efforts, seamless path for students, and statewide commitment

Bachelor’s degree available at eight universities with common costs and curriculum and with a convenient on-line application process.

Associate’s degrees available at 14 community colleges and technical branches with options in business and general studies, uniquely designed for each student.

• Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

• Associate in Arts in Enterprise Development

• Associate in Science in Enterprise Development

The Reach Higher initiative provides adult degree

completion programs in flexible, non-traditional formats.

Available at 8 universities and 14 community colleges and technical

branches across the state.

Reach Higher: Flex Finish offers…

PARTICIPATING FOUR-YEAR

INSTITUTIONS

Bachelor of Science in

Organizational Leadership

Cameron University

Langston University

Northeastern State University

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Rogers State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

University of Central Oklahoma

PARTICIPATING TWO-YEAR

INSTITUTIONS

Associate in Arts or Science in

Enterprise Development

Options:

General Studies

Business Carl Albert State College

Connors State College

Eastern Oklahoma State College

Murray State College

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Northern Oklahoma College

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma State University-Institute of Technology

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

Redlands Community College

Rose State College

Seminole State College

Tulsa Community College

Western Oklahoma State College

Reach Higher Family - Students

Reach Higher Family - Coordinators

RH Coordinators

are faculty,

administrators,

and staff.

“Exceptional Program Award” from the Great Plains Region of the Association for Continuing Higher Education

“National Outstanding Credit Program Award” from the Association for Continuing Higher Education.

The program has been cited as a national model by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.

Reach Higher is one of the cornerstones of Governor Mary Fallin’s plan to increase the number of Oklahomans with a college degree, the Complete College America initiative.

Reach Higher: Flex Finish Recognition

Support for Coordinators

Coordinators’ Funds to each Reach Higher Institution

Professional Development Resources

Marketing

Recognition

4,863Graduates

withAssociate degrees

andBachelor’s degrees

since 2007

REACH HIGHER: Flex Finish’s Current Status

Support for Students Dedicated Coordinator at their Home Institution

Assistance with financial aid application and registration at home institution or sister institutions for needed courses

Emergency Funding

Old Debt Forgiveness

Direction to other services on campus or and in the local community

REACH HIGHERNative American Educational Partnership

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher

Education and the Tribal Education

Departments National Assembly (TEDNA)

signed a Memorandum of Understanding

expanding collaboration and support between the

agencies through shared resources, expertise

and technical assistance to Tribal Education

Departments involved in Oklahoma higher

education initiatives.

TEDNA supports higher education

programs that provide opportunities for

tribal nation populations, and this

agreement includes a combined effort to

promote college degree completion.

TEDNA, the OSRHE, and Oklahoma

institutions will continue to work

collaboratively to ensure academic and

social support resources are available to

citizens of sovereign nations

headquartered in Oklahoma.

92.1% worked full-time during the program.

55.3% indicated that the degree resulted in higher pay and/or work promotion.

97.3% stated that they would recommend Reach Higher to a colleague, friend, or family member.

65% believed that the Reach Higher program was the only way in which they could have continued their education.

89.5% felt that the Reach

Higher faculty cared about adult

students and their success in the

program.

94.8% believed they received an excellent education.

Program Feedback Survey

Adult Promise Initiativeto build on Reach Higher Foundation

Oklahoma was selected as one of five states funded by Lumina Foundation for an Adult Promise Initiative coordinated through work with SHEEO.

The plan will be to offer an Adult Promise program to include degree programs that match up with OklahomaWorks’ 100 Critical Occupations List.

Funding from multiple entities will be leveraged to cover an adult student’s costs to complete a degree that leads to employment in a Critical Occupation.

Students aged 25-49

Income level up to $75,000

Those with 75% (45 hours) towards an associate degree or 50% (60 hours) towards a bachelor’s degree

2.0+ GPA in previous work and all remedial work completed

Leverage aid from multiple sources (institutional waivers, employer tuition assistance, WIOA funding, tribal education funding, business funding, etc.)

Reach Higher: Direct CompleteCriteria for Students

Offer the degree programs that lead to employment in a the Critical Occupations List

Provide assistance as funds are available, for tuition waivers, book scholarships, emergency funding, child care assistance, etc.

Identify a dedicated navigator/coordinator to work directly with identified students

Commit staff for professional development to assist them in providing coaching, mentoring, and proactive advising activities for participating students

Provide degree audits and degree planning for participants

Provide reports to the State Regents as requested on the program and participants

Build on Reach Higher infrastructure

Reach Higher Direct CompleteCriteria for Participating Institutions

Dental Hygienists

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians

Geological and Petroleum Technicians

Registered Nurses

Computer Network Support Specialists

Civil Engineering Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Technicians

Respiratory Therapists

Radiologic Technologists

Web Developers

Environmental Science and Protection

Technicians, Including Health

Chemical Technicians

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Critical Occupations That Require Associate Degrees

https://oklahomaworks.gov/docs/2017/05/2017-Top-Critical-Occupations-Statewide-Amended-8-8-2017.pdf

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Petroleum Engineers

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Industrial Production Managers

Aerospace Engineers

Financial Managers

Electrical Engineers

Mechanical Engineers

Environmental Engineers

Industrial Engineers

General and Operations Managers

Medical and Health Services Managers

Software Developers, Applications

Civil Engineers

Logisticians

Computer Systems Analysts

Software Developers, Systems Software

Personal Financial Advisors

Database Administrators

Financial Analysts

Management Analysts

Critical Occupations That Require Bachelor’s Degrees

https://oklahomaworks.gov/docs/2017/05/2017-Top-Critical-Occupations-Statewide-Amended-8-8-2017.pdf

Critical Occupations That Require Bachelor’s Degrees (cont’d)

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Operations Research Analysts

Information Security Analysts

Accountants and Auditors

Loan Officers

Cost Estimators

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Credit Analysts

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Training and Development Specialists

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

https://oklahomaworks.gov/docs/2017/05/2017-Top-Critical-Occupations-Statewide-Amended-8-8-2017.pdf

REACH HIGHER: Direct CompleteBusiness and Native American Educational Partnerships

Partner with the State Regents and a higher education institution to promote the initiative to employees, clients, and Tribal citizens and scholarship individuals to pursue a degree that meets criteria for an occupation on Oklahoma’s 100 Critical Occupations list.

The business/organization dedicates a “Pay It Forward” scholarship of at least $1,000 each semester to fund the tuition, fees, and books for 6 credit hours for the student to participate in this program.

The other partners and the institution will cover any remaining costs for tuition and fees for the 6 credit hours in excess of the business/agency scholarship.

We are hoping to establish strong partnerships to meet workforce needs through this program.Here are some things partners can do:

www.reachhigheroklahoma.org

Questions/Contacts:

Angela Willits

LUMINA Degree Completion Manager

awillits@osrhe.edu or 405.225.9258

Sheila Smith

Reach Higher Manager

shsmith@osrhe.edu or 405.225.9151

• Dr. Debbie Blanke

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

dblanke@osrhe.edu or 405.225.9145