WILBURTON, Oklahoma – Twenty-seven business and higher education partnerships throughout the state were recently recognized as innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions, businesses, and the community to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants. Kyla Guyette, Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, State Regents’ Chair Dennis Casey, and Chancellor Sean Burrage participated in the ceremony, held May 6 at the University of Central Oklahoma.

SE Plant Co. and Eastern Oklahoma State College exemplify community collaboration. As a Main Street small business, SE Plant Co. fosters local connections and vitality. They support EOSC by contributing to educational programs, providing mentorship, and serving on boards and committees. Beyond education, they engage in community development by supporting local initiatives, participating in charitable events, and strengthening small businesses. Their dedication to education and the community is creating a lasting, positive legacy.

Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships that enable current students to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.

“When Oklahoma businesses partner with our colleges and universities, they're not just accessing talent – they're investing in our state's future,” said Burrage. “The State Regents and I are proud to recognize and celebrate these positive collaborations that promote economic growth, innovation, and job creation in Oklahoma.”

For more information about RBPEA and this year’s partnerships, visit https://okhighered.org/econ-dev/rbpea/.