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. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, State Regents’ Chair Jack Sherry, State Regent Ann Holloway, and Chancellor Allison D. Garrett participated in the ceremony, held March 7 at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Eastern Oklahoma State College and the City of Wilburton have built a partnership centered around community events, planning, promotion and economic development. The city involves the college in economic development efforts and connects businesses to resources on EOSC’s campus. The city is part of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center’s Four County Consortium that advances workforce development alongside EOSC. Mayor Loran Mayes serves on EOSC’s Foundation board. Their partnership has earned grant awards, interested developers, supported businesses, and attracted tourists.

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.

“Producing more workforce-ready graduates by partnering with the business community and connecting students to the workforce is fundamental to meeting Oklahoma’s future workforce needs,” said Garrett. “We are proud to recognize these partnerships, which demonstrate successful collaborations with public, private and nonprofit partners to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy.”