Issuu

AN IMPACTFUL TRANSITION FOR RSU

The term transition, by its very nature, describes a state of change. This change can be limited and cautious, or it can be bold and ambitious.

When Dr. Mark Rasor accepted the title of Interim President in July 2024 following the retirement of Dr. Larry Rice, his goal for the transition was the latter, to see Rogers State University become stronger in a period of rapid changes in higher education.

“The adage of if you’re not improving, you’re falling behind is absolutely true in higher education,” said Rasor. “The demand to produce more graduates, at a lower cost, with limited resources, means you must always be looking for opportunities to improve, to be more efficient. Many of the old models that have been used to manage a university will not work today, and so from day one, our team was committed to position RSU as a new model for other regional universities to follow.”

Rasor was well prepared for the role. He came to RSU in January 2020 with seven years of executive experience in higher education finance and administration. Working collaboratively across campus, he properly aligned the University’s workforce to its current enrollment and led the effort to adopt a comprehensive enrollment plan. The plan has led to seven consecutive semesters of enrollment growth.

“Dr. Rasor brought a wealth of new ideas and innovative thinking to RSU, and he quickly became a valued member of my executive team.” said Rice. “He was well prepared to move into the president’s role and he has accomplished much in a short period of time.”

In eight months at the helm, Rasor has successfully guided RSU through academic leadership changes, approval of new academic programs, a new focus on student success, stronger relationships with the Claremore community, and leading the effort to prepare for the construction of the new Center for Science and Technology.

“There is an excitement in the community about what is happening on The Hill,” said John Feary, Claremore city manager. “Success at RSU translates into success for Claremore and Rogers County.”

A YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

ENROLLMENT

• Increased enrollment in the fall and spring semesters marks seven consecutive semesters in enrollment growth.

• As of March 1, undergraduate applications for the fall semester of 2025 are up 37.3% from a year ago and admitted undergraduate students have increased 42.8 percent.

NEW PROGRAM GROWTH

• Bachelor’s degree program in elementary education submitted to Board of Regents for its consideration.

• Approval of graduate programs in nursing and cybersecurity.

• Double the projected enrollment in chemical engineering program.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

• The Higher Learning Commission has continued the accreditation of Rogers State University with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2034-35.

• Achievement of 94 percent pass rate on nursing licensure exams, which is well above state and national averages.

• Anticipated accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in spring of 2025.

CAMPUS CULTURE

• Enhancement of faculty and staff recognition program.

• Greater engagement with faculty, staff and student governance bodies.

COMMUNITY AND EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Establishment of Community Advisory Council.

• Named to Board of Advisors for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.

• Member of Board of Directors for Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce.

RSU Sophomore Named Dr. Roy A. Lawrence Endowed Scholarship Recipient

Rogers State University sophomore Brady Buell has been named the recipient of a scholarship to support his studies in chemical engineering. Buell, a resident of Chelsea, is the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Roy A. Lawrence Endowed Scholarship. According to Chemical Engineering Program Director Dr. Alexander Lopez, Buell was an “ideal choice” to be the first recipient of this scholarship.

“I created an application form asking applicants to discuss their GPA, accomplishments, extracurricular efforts outside of the classroom, and to identify any merits for financial need,” Lopez said. “Brady was selected from a committee of three – myself and two departmental faculty members – as the most-deserving recipient.”

Buell was honored to receive the scholarship and noted the impact it will make for him.

“This scholarship will be a tremendous help to me financially. I’m very grateful for it.”

Buell has a 4.0 grade point average and is a full-time student at RSU, while also working at Walmart in Claremore and serving as a volunteer teacher’s aide for Pryor Public Schools as his schedule allows.

As he relies heavily on student loans to meet the financial needs of his attendance in college, the scholarship is “invaluable” to helping him fund his education. Following graduation, Buell said he hopes to use his degree to work toward developing clean and sustainable energy.

RSU began offering its first engineering program in 2023 with the launch of its Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. Lopez was named the director of the chemical engineering program in July 2024.

Established at RSU in September 2024, the Dr. Roy A. Lawrence Endowed Scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Roy Lawrence, who was an alumnus of RSU’s predecessor institution, the Oklahoma Military Academy. This endowment provides funds for academic scholarships for deserving students attending RSU and majoring in engineering. It is the first endowment created to support an engineering program at Rogers State University.

“We are grateful to Dr. Lawrence’s family for their support and for choosing to target their endowment toward engineering,” said Steve Valencia, vice president for development. “Enrollment in the chemical engineering program has far exceeded our expectations and we need additional support to meet the scholarship needs of the program. The Lawrence endowment gets the ball rolling for RSU.”

RSU sophomore Brady Buell, inaugural recipient of the Dr. Roy A. Lawrence Endowed Scholarship.

RSU

Alumni Association to Host Third Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards

The RSU Alumni Association will host the third annual RSU Distinguished Alumni Awards Saturday, April 26.

Since 2023, this program has honored noteworthy alumni, their achievements and their legacy, recognizing individuals in three categories: RSU Alumni Rising Star (graduated from RSU in the past five years), RSU Distinguished Hillcat (graduated since 2000), and Hill Legacy Award (1972-1999).

This will be the third annual RSU Distinguished Alumni Awards. Previous award recipients include Rhett Ables (2023) and Caitlin Ngare (2024), Rising Star Award; Dr. Andrea Hunt (2023) and Jody Moore (2024), Distinguished Hillcat Award; and Bill Spears (2023) and Dr. Keith Martin and his wife, Lisa Martin (2024), Hill Legacy Award.

These award winners include business leaders, social warriors, and life changers. Among them the 2023 winner, and Claremore Junior College graduate, Bill Spears. Spears earned a degree in nuclear engineering and went on to earn his law degree at the University of Tulsa after completing his associate degree in 1977 here on the Hill.

“In terms of this award, it’s something I’m going to cherish the rest of my life,” Spears said.

2024 winner Jody Moore shared, “I knew I wanted to continue with my education and get my bachelor’s degree – that was something I had my sights set on,” she said. “I eventually came back to RSU, working in the admissions department, and started working on my bachelor’s degree, which – this time around – came with some challenges as I was learning how to be a single mom. But I had an amazing support network here at RSU – my professors, at work, everyone made accommodations for me and the challenges I had to help me earn my degree.”

Jody is now the director for SafeNet Services, a shelter and support structure for battered and abused individuals.

Our alumni continue to change the world and we look forward to honoring the next class.

The 2025 Rogers State University Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 26, in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center Ballroom on the RSU campus in Claremore.

RSU Named in U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Online Programs

Rogers State University has been named by U.S. News and World Report as offering some of the best online programs nationwide in higher education.

Rankings were released Jan. 21, 2025, as part of U.S. News and World Report’s “2025 Best Online Programs” rankings for universities and colleges.

RSU was included among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor Programs, ranking 184th overall out of the entire nation, up 13 spots from its 2024 ranking.

Additionally, RSU was ranked 140th in the Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs.

Further, RSU was ranked in the #272-355 Best Online MBA Programs (this section does not denote individual rankings), equivalent to its placement in this category in previous years.

“I am pleased for RSU to once again receive this recognition from U.S. News and World Report for the excellence of our online programs,” said RSU Interim President Dr. Mark Rasor. “These rankings reflect the quality of teaching by our faculty, the excellence in service by our staff, and the dedication to success by our students. It is crucial for universities to deliver quality online learning, and Rogers State excels in this area. RSU works continuously to improve the student experience in its online programs.”

In its 13th year, the U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs is designed to assist individuals looking to complete or further their education, as they compare colleges and universities. This year’s edition evaluates more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs using metrics specific to online learning.

A pioneer in online education, RSU offers a master’s degree, bachelor’s degrees, and associate degrees entirely online, as well as numerous microcredentials. Since the inception of its online distance education program in 1992, RSU has earned distinction as the first university in Oklahoma – and one of the first in the nation – to offer college degrees entirely via the internet.

RSU Junior Named 2025 George Nigh Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Rogers State University student Cambrey Harrison is a high-achiever. Only a junior, Harrison works with local non-profit Volunteers for Youth, and is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, for whom she has served on various committees, such as the Random Acts of Kindness Committee, for which she is a co-chair.

Recently, Harrison added something else to her growing list of accomplishments when she was named a 2025 George Nigh Scholarship recipient. Students selected for the scholarship must exhibit strong leadership qualities, demonstrate community involvement, present academic achievement, and have graduated from an Oklahoma high school. Selected students received a $1,000 scholarship and attended the Nigh Leadership Academy.

As a scholarship recipient, Harrison – along with other college students from across Oklahoma – attended the George Nigh Leadership Academy in Oklahoma City from Feb. 1-4, where she engaged with state legislators and attended development sessions on expanding personal skills and understanding leadership.

“It was such an honor to have been selected for this scholarship and the leadership academy was a tremendous opportunity for me. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I learned so much. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

At the academy, Harris met with various Oklahoma leaders – including former Governor George Nigh himself – who have worked to better the state, all of whom inspired her and the other academy participants to follow their passions to enact progress in the state at every level.

“Getting to talk to the politicians was very eye-opening for me because I really got to understand them better, to see their heart, what motivates them and why they got into politics in the first place – to make positive changes,” she said. “Even though they’re on different sides politically, many of them – like Governor Nigh – are highly respected because of their character and how fairly they treat others, even people they might not agree with. You don’t really get to see that side of them on TV.”

“That was my first time to go through the Oklahoma City Memorial – it was a lot to take in,” she said. “It’s hard to put into words – all the emotions it brought out, but it was an incredibly impactful experience for me, for everyone who went through it, really.”

Harrison is a native of Cushing and is double majoring in political science and psychology. She is currently on track to graduate from RSU in the spring 2026 semester, after which, she is considering attending law school.

RSU student Cambrey Harrison (right) with former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh.

RSU student Cambrey Harrison poses in the rotunda at the Oklahoma Capitol.

Claremore Chamber Names RSU’s Curtis Sparling as Educator of the Year

Rogers State University Technology and Justice Studies Department Head Dr. Curtis Sparling has been named the Claremore Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year. The honor was bestowed upon Sparling at the Claremore Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, held Jan. 29 in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center at RSU. During the event, the Chamber recognizes citizens of distinction for their contribution to and impact upon the Claremore community. During her introduction of Sparling as the award recipient, Chamber President Barby Myers said the Educator of the Year Award is one which “celebrates the incredible impact of education and the transformative power of dedicated leadership.”

“The Educator of the Year Award is a tribute to an outstanding individual whose passion, innovation, and commitment to learning have left an indelible mark on their students, colleagues, and the community,” Myers said. “This prestigious honor recognizes a distinguished leader and educator who has devoted their career to advancing technology and justice studies. Through their tireless efforts, they not only cultivate knowledge but also inspire critical thinking, innovation, and a sense of purpose in their students.

“The recipient of this award exemplifies excellence in education, creating an environment where students are encouraged to dream big, push boundaries, and explore new horizons,” she continued. “They are a shining example of what it means to lead by example, combining subject-matter expertise with genuine care and mentorship to empower others to achieve their full potential. Their dedication goes beyond the classroom, as they work to bridge the gap between education and the broader community, ensuring that their contributions resonate far and wide.”

“I am deeply honored to receive this award from the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce. Truly, this recognition is simply a reflection of the incredible students, colleagues, and community I am privileged to serve every day.”

As a department head and professor at RSU, Sparling played a pivotal role in developing innovative degree programs in cybersecurity, unmanned aerial systems technologies, national and information security, and eSports. A true advocate for student success, he established nationally ranked competitive cybersecurity and robotics teams at RSU. Sparling’s commitment to helping learners extends beyond the university, with the creation of the AeroCats STEM outreach program, which reaches about 4,500 K-12 students each semester, fostering interest in science and technology among young learners.

Prior to his academic career, he served for 22 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, holding leadership roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Officer, and concluding his service as a Commanding Officer at sea.

RSU Technology and Justice Studies Department Head Dr. Curtis Sparling (center) was recently named the Claremore Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year. Sparling is congratulated on this honor by RSU Interim President Dr. Mark Rasor (left) and Sparling’s wife, Dr. Cathy Sparling (right).

RSU Nursing Graduates Pass NCLEX at 94% Rate on First Attempt in 2024

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) has released its program outcome data for 2024, with an impressive 94% of RSU nursing program graduates passing on their first attempt.

NCLEX-RN is a standardized test that nursing graduates must pass to become registered nurses in the United States. This test determines the readiness and competence of recent nursing program graduates.

RSU ranked well ahead of both the state and national averages. The 2024 passage rate in Oklahoma was 88%, while the national rate was 91%. RSU’s 94% passage rate outpaced both.

In May 2021, RSU’s first class of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students graduated. RSU’s first class of BSN graduates passed the NCLEX-RN at an 86.6% rate in 2021. By last year, in 2023, RSU’s passage rate had climbed to 91%.

According to Dr. Carla Lynch, associate dean of RSU’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, the high NCLEX-RN passage rate of RSU students is a result of the university’s quality instruction and support provided to the students.

“Our nursing faculty are true experts in their field of nursing specialty – pediatrics, mental health, critical care, etc.,” Lynch said. “The faculty also have master’s degrees or higher in nursing education – meaning they know how to teach at a high level and can make content relatable and meaningful to our learners.”

“In the School of Nursing and Health Professions, we are always seeking to improve,” Lynch said of the increase. “Prior to 2021, our nursing graduates earned associate degrees in nursing (ADN). We have continued to fine-tune our BSN curriculum to ensure that we are covering nursing content that aligns with the NCLEX to ensure test readiness for our graduates.”

Apart from one year, Rogers State University has consistently ranked above the Oklahoma state NCLEX pass rates. Nursing is regulated by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing who carefully tracks and publishes NCLEX completion rates across the state and also compares nursing programs across the nation.

RSU is continuing to explore additional nursing and allied health options for roll-out in the near future, Lynch noted.

President’s Leadership Class Hosts Rogers County Youth Services Executive Director

Members of Rogers State University’s President’s Leadership Class welcomed Rogers County Youth Services Executive Director and Claremore Deputy Mayor Herb McSpadden as guest speaker for its Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 29.

Born and raised in Rogers County and graduating from Chelsea, McSpadden holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in business from Southern Nazarene University. He began working at Rogers County Youth Services in 1994.

For the past two years, he served as vice president of the statewide Association of Youth Services and is currently serving as the president. He has been actively involved in numerous community clubs, boards and organizations over the years, and is currently the deputy mayor for the City of Claremore.

Sponsored by the President’s Leadership Class, the Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series provides local and regional leaders with the opportunity to share their experiences, insight and philosophies on leadership with members of the RSU community. Selected speakers come from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and careers.

March’s Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series is scheduled for March 5 and will feature Megen Rhine, owner of Megen Rhine Consulting.

All guest speakers make their presentations in the Baird Hall Performance Studio on the RSU Claremore campus.

President’s Leadership Class is a four-year scholarship program designed to foster and develop students’ leadership skills and to enhance their overall academic experience with scholarships available for those within the program.

Rogers County Youth Services Executive Director and Claremore Deputy Mayor Herb McSpadden (front, center) spoke with RSU’s President’s Leadership Class Jan. 29.

“Trauma and Crisis Counseling” is now available in hardback, paperback and on Kindle from Routledge and Amazon.

RSU’s MSCC Program Director Co-Authors Trauma and Crisis Counseling Textbook

When Dr. Michelle Taylor and her colleague Dr. Kathy Hoppe were looking for material to use in conjunction with RSU’s trauma-based education, the pair found themselves unable to find what they were looking for.

“There are several good books out there. ‘The Body Keeps Score,’ for example, is a staple for anyone working in trauma, but it was published in 2014,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of RSU’s Master of Science in community counseling program. “We really wanted something newer that dealt with trauma, something more recently published, and we were really struggling to find that.”

“While there is one book that is currently used, there are few other options available, and we knew that only 3.4 percent of Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) offer a course in trauma,” expounded Hoppe, associate professor of psychology at Oral Roberts University and former longtime RSU instructor. “CACREP is considered the gold standard, but in their 2025 revised standards, they address the need for trauma education in graduate counseling programs. As these programs begin to adopt the standards and design trauma courses, we found there is a severe shortage of appropriate trauma textbooks.”

“Kathy had just finished earning her second doctorate in trauma, for which, she wrote her dissertation’,” Taylor said.

“We couldn’t find what we were looking for, so we asked ourselves, ‘Why don’t we just write our own book?’”

And so, they did.

The fruit of that year-and-a-half collaborative labor is “Trauma and Crisis Counseling: An Overview for Emerging Professionals,” an introduction to trauma for students, new counselors, and other helping professionals. Published by Routledge, the book provides a sweeping overview of trauma from more than 500 sources. It includes definitions, a clear exploration of trauma’s neurobiology, information on assessment and diagnosis, and summaries of the primary models of evidence-based treatments.

“The book discusses definitions, the neurobiology of trauma, assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based treatments, suicidality, and crisis with a unique focus on resiliency,” Hoppe said. “We’ve designed the textbook for undergraduate and graduate students, professionals who work in the community, and others who desire to have a brief introduction to trauma education. We include case studies, activities, and questions in a format that is appealing to all adult readers.” Throughout the book, the authors focus on what it means to be trauma-informed and how to integrate resiliency in trauma work. The material is presented in a conversational way using case studies, examples and practical activities to enhance the reader’s learning.

The book covers a variety of topics, such as helping people with trauma experiences; the neurobiology of trauma; burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and empathy; assessment; diagnosing trauma; evidence-based treatments; suicide, crisis, and disaster; challenges in trauma work; and becoming effective providers in resilient communities.

Dr. Michelle Taylor (left) and Dr. Kathy Hoppe with counseling textbook “Trauma and Crisis Counseling.”(right)

RSU Department Head

Featured Presenter at Hawaii International Conference on Education

RSU Technology and Justice Studies Department Head Dr. Curtis Sparling and his wife Dr. Cathy Sparling were featured presenters at the 23rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education.

Held Saturday, Jan. 4, through Tuesday, Jan. 7, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the conference provided an opportunity for academicians and professionals from various education-related fields from all over the world to come together and learn from each other.

Both Sparlings presented together in two sessions, the first was titled “Bridging the Gap: A Collaborative Approach to Coaching and Advising Neurodiverse Learners.” This session highlighted the increasing number of neurodiverse learners in higher education and the need for collaboration among faculty and staff to create inclusive environments.

The second presentation was titled “Breaking Barriers in STEM Education: Enhancing Applied Learning Experiences for Neurodivergent Learners,” which addressed the growth of neurodivergent learners’ interest in university STEM education and the current educational constructs that tend to support neurotypical learners.

Rogers State University Hosts Leadership Luncheon Jan. 22

Educators from high schools across northeastern Oklahoma converged on the Hill recently for a luncheon to learn about the opportunities RSU offers to their students, and to enhance the lines of communication with RSU leadership.

Approximately 30 superintendents, principals, and high school counselors attended the Leadership Luncheon 2025, held Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center.

Hosted by RSU Interim President Dr. Mark Rasor, the event included presentations from Rasor, Director of Admissions Fred Dietz, and Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Susan Willis. Other RSU representatives in attendance included Assistant Director of Admissions Jordan Brown; Campus Visits and Events Coordinator Natalia Sumner; Admissions Counselors Caleb Lawlis, Ashleigh Kinney, and Tai Blevins; and more.

Administrators in attendance came from Pryor, Adair, Pawhuska, Barnsdall, Claremore, Foyil, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Collinsville, Owasso, Dewey, Bartlesville, and others.

RSU’s Allied Health Program Coordinator Brian Coley has been chosen as an inductee to the Mid America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA) Hall of Fame class of 2025. He will be formally inducted in a ceremony to be held March 14 in La Vista, Nebraska.

MAATA is a professional organization representing athletic trainers in District 5, a region encompassing several states in the U.S., including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Coley said when he learned of his selection, he found himself “speechless.” He is the ninth person from Oklahoma to receive this honor and the first from RSU.

“We are so thrilled about Mr. Coley’s induction into the MAATA Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Carla Lynch, associate dean of RSU’s School of Nursing and Health Professions. “He has made exceptional contributions to the discipline of athletic training both as an educator and practitioner over three decades. His commitment to excellence is outstanding and both his students and his peers applaud his remarkable achievements.”

Dr. Curtis Sparling (left) and Dr. Cathy Sparling presented at the 23rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education in January.

Dr. Mark Rasor, interim president, speaks at the Leadership Luncheon.

RSU Allied Health Program Coordinator Brian Coley Named to MAATA Hall of Fame

Hillcats Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025

In its third year of existence, Rogers State Athletics is proud to announce the induction of five acclaimed individuals into the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025. These individuals all made substantial contributions to the foundation of the athletics program at RSU.

“We are extremely proud to be inducting these five incredibly deserving individuals into the 2025 Class of the Rogers State Athletics Hall of Fame,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Ratcliff.

“When

the Hall of Fame committee sat down to discuss the nominees for this year’s class, all five of these inductees were no-brainers. Without their contributions, Hillcat Athletics would not be what it is today. All five of our honorees added to an incredibly strong foundation that we have continued to build on to this day.”

RSU Athletics inducted its newest class of members into the Hillcats Athletics Hall of Fame during a special ceremony and banquet held Jan. 25 inside the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center Ballroom.