Friday, June 4, 2021
Data Driven
OSU’s Hawkins Hopes to Use Background in Data and Analytics in a New Way Carter Stanton O’Colly Contributor
Courtesy of Stillwater.org Christie Hawkins’ background in data and analytics is helping the town.
Christie Hawkins always knew she belonged at Oklahoma State. During her childhood, fall Saturdays were spent embarking on the two and a half hour journey from her hometown of Woodward, Oklahoma, to Stillwater to attend OSU football games. Once she began considering colleges, she knew exactly where she wanted to be. “I fell in love with the city of Stillwater,” Hawkins said. A graduate of the class of 1989, Hawkins has worked for the university for over 20 years. This year, however, she has taken on an entirely new endeavor: running for city council. “I’ve never campaigned for anything before,” Hawkins said. “It’s been a fantastic experience.” Of the six candidates who ran for one city council seat in February, none received a majority of the vote. The result is an April 6 runoff election featuring the top two candidates: Hawkins and Ariel Ross. An expert in analytics and data research, Hawkins hopes to provide her expertise to the community in a way that goes beyond the reach of the university. “She recognizes her skills can be helpful to Stillwater,” said Lorinda Schrammel, director of talent development at Oklahoma State University.
“She sees this whole thing as an opportunity to help others.” After starting her professional career teaching at Perkins-Tryon High School, Hawkins began working in the University’s Office of Institutional Research and Analytics. “My position with the university requires me to, quite simply, make hard decisions,” Hawkins said. Hawkins began working in the office as an analyst and has since advanced to occupy the role of Associate Vice President. She oversaw the implementation of block tuition in 2014, was instrumental in the university’s transition to using Banner software and continues to aid in developing the university’s $1.4 billion budget. During her time as an analyst, director and associate vice president, Hawkins has built a reputation within her department. “I love when she’s on a search committee with me,” Schrammel said. “When we’re interviewing for leadership positions, she goes in with no prejudgments and always asks great questions.” Partly due to her inexperience in running for office, Hawkins has built her campaign on engaging in meaningful conversations with Stillwater residents. “Learning about different entities, the opportunities and challenges that people have, what they expect from local government…” Hawkins
See Data on pg.3
Interim president, dean announced at OSU Center for Health Sciences Adam Engel Staff Reporter Dr. Johnny Stephens will serve as interim president of Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences effective July 1, announced OSU President Burns Hargis. Hargis said Stephens has been a valued member of the OSU-Center for Health Sciences team for seven years. On the same day, Dr. Dennis Blakenship will become interim dean of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has previously
served as the College’s chair of emergency medicine and OSU Medical Center’s chief of staff. “I am extremely proud of the progress and accomplishments of CHS under the leadership of Kasey Shrum and her entire team,” Hargis said. “The academic health care center has been stabilized and will soon grow to include a veterans’ hospital and mental health hospital, which will expand the care for veterans and our most vulnerable populations while increasing the number of resident physicians in Oklahoma.” Dr. Kasey Shrum, the current president of OSUCHS and dean of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, will replace Hargis as OSU president on July 1.
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Dr. Johnny Stephens is the new interim president of OSU Health Sciences.
OSU Communications