DR. JIM HESS INDUCTED INTO OKLAHOMA HIGHER EDUCATION HALL OF FAME
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n recognition of 40-plus years of academic excellence and commitment to higher education, Jim Hess, Ph.D., vice provost of Graduate Programs at OSU Center for Health Sciences, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in November 2023. With a career spanning more than four decades in higher education and 20 years at OSU-CHS, Hess’ contributions have left an enduring impact on students, faculty and staff across northeast Oklahoma. Hess started his administrative career at Rogers State University, then OSU-Tulsa before coming to OSU-CHS in 2003 where he has served as a professor of family medicine and health care administration, chief executive officer of the OSU Medical Authority and the OSU Physicians Group, chair and director of the School of Health Care Administration, and chair of the School of Forensic Sciences. He now serves as vice provost of graduate programs supervising academic program directors, admissions, new program development and evaluation. His induction comes as no surprise to those familiar with him and his career. “Throughout his tenure at OSU Center for Health Sciences, Dr. Hess has played a pivotal role in shaping and growing the institution’s graduate programs while also fostering a nurturing environment for learning and research,” OSU-CHS President Johnny Stephens said. “His impact on our campus and campuses across northeastern Oklahoma will be felt for decades to come.” Hess said working in higher education is both rewarding and
challenging, but the best part is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of other people. “There is absolutely no other job like it. It’s been exciting to have an impact on the direction and vision of an institution, effecting change and serving with great leaders,” he said. “I have been blessed to work with great people — it’s the most rewarding aspect of my career. Without those people, this recognition would not have been possible, so this induction into the Hall of Fame really belongs to them.”
GRADUATE PROGRAM GROWTH
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SU Center for Health Sciences’ Graduate Programs experienced record enrollment in the fall 2023 semester, continuing a trend of enrollment growth for several years. By September 2023, 1,325 students were enrolled in one of OSU-CHS’ five Graduate Programs, a 32 percent increase. There was also a 38 percent increase in the number of credit hours students enrolled in for the fall semester. The most significant growth has happened in the Health Care Administration and Forensic Sciences programs that both offer online degree and certificate programs.
In 2022, the School of Forensic Sciences began offering a Doctorate in Forensic Sciences degree in addition to its Ph.D. in Forensic Sciences. The DFS is a professional doctorate, offered online, with no required research or dissertation component. And in the last year, the School of Health Care Administration earned two national top five rankings— No. 4 for online health care degrees by website EduMed.org and No. 4 in the 2023 Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Health Care Administration from OnlineMastersDegrees.org.
FALL 2023 GRADUATE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT
625
Health Care Administration
511 Forensic Sciences
96
Biomedical Sciences
72
Physician Assistant Program
21
Athletic Training
VITALS 2023 IMPACT REPORT // 17
