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
[email protected] or 405.225.9258
Sheila Smith
Reach Higher Manager
[email protected] or 405.225.9151
• Dr. Debbie Blanke
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
[email protected] or 405.225.9145