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Presidents – Regional Universities

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The functions of the 10 regional universities include (1) both lower-division and upper-division undergraduate study in several fields leading to the bachelor’s degree; (2) a limited number of programs leading toward the first-professional degree when appropriate to an institution’s strengths and the needs of the state; (3) graduate study below the doctor’s level, primarily in teacher education but moving toward limited comprehensiveness in fields related to Oklahoma’s manpower needs; (4) extension and public service responsibilities in the geographic regions in which they are located; (5) responsibility for institutional and applied research in those areas related closely to their program assignments; and (6) responsibility for regional programs of economic development.

Interim President Jari Askins

Cameron University
2800 W. Gore Blvd.
Lawton, OK 73505-6377
580.581.2201
580.581.2421 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., in Journalism, University of Oklahoma
Juris Doctorate, University of Oklahoma College of Law

Previous Positions

Administrative Director of the Courts, State of Oklahoma
Special Adviser to the Governor on Child Welfare, State of Oklahoma
Associate Provost for External Relations, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Lieutenant Governor, State of Oklahoma
District 50 State Representative, State of Oklahoma

Date Assumed Presidency

July 22, 2024

President Wendell L. Godwin

East Central University
1100 E. 14th St.
Ada, OK 74820-6899
580.559.5212
580.332.1623 (fax)

Degrees

B.S., Business Administration, East Central University
Executive MBA, Southern Methodist University (Texas)

Previous Positions

Dean, Stonecipher School of Business, ECU, 2010-22

Date Assumed Presidency

July 2022

President Ruth Ray Jackson

Langston University
PO Box 907
Langston, OK 73050-0907
405.466.3202
405.466.3461 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., Secondary Education, Southern University and A&M College (Louisiana)
M.S., Administration and Supervision, SU
Ph.D., Education and Human Resource Studies, Colorado State University

Previous Positions

Interim President, Langston University
Vice President for Academic Affairs, LU
Associate Vice President for Student Success, LU
Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, LU
Tenured Faculty, Louisiana State University, Shreveport

Date Assumed Presidency

May 2024

President Rodney Hanley

Northeastern State University
600 N. Grand
Tahlequah, OK 74464-2399
918.444.2000
918.458.2015 (fax)

Degrees

Certificate in Leadership in Education, Harvard University
B.S., Eastern Illinois University
M.S., Eastern Illinois University
M.S., University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
Ph.D., University of Kansas

Previous Positions

President, Lake Superior State University (Michigan), 2018-23
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Fisk University (Tennessee)
Professor of Earth System Science and Policy, University of North Dakota

Date Assumed Presidency

August 2023

President Bo Hannaford

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
709 Oklahoma Blvd.
Alva, OK 73717-2799
580.327.1700
580.327.1881 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., Northwestern Oklahoma State University
M.Ed., NWOSU
Ed.D., Education Leadership, Walden University (Minnesota)

Previous Positions

Executive Vice President, NWOSU, 2019-22
Vice President for Academic Affairs, NWOSU, 2016-19
Dean, School of Professional Studies, NWOSU, 2012-16
Faculty, Chair, NWOSU, 2011-12
Public/Collegiate Teacher, Coach, Administrator, 1993-2011

Date Assumed Presidency

July 2022

President Julie Dinger

Oklahoma Panhandle State University
PO Box 430
Goodwell, OK 73939-9728
580.349.2611
580.349.1307 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., Sociology, University of Oklahoma
M.A., Sociology, OU
Ph.D., Sociology, OU

Previous Positions

Provost, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 2017-22
Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Connors State College, 2016-17
Interim Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, CSC, 2014-16
Division Chair of Social Sciences, CSC, 2013-17
Sociology Faculty, CSC, 2010-17

Date Assumed Presidency

July 2022

Interim President Mark Rasor

Rogers State University
1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74017-3252
918.343.7612
918.343.7681 (fax)

Degrees

B.S., Accounting, Baylor University
M.A., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Previous Positions

Vice President for Administration and Finance, RSU, 2020
Vice President for Fiscal Affairs, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami

Date Assumed Presidency

July 4, 2024

President Thomas W. Newsom

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
1405 N. 4th
Durant, OK 74701-0609
580.745.2000
580.745.2515 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., Business Administration, Austin College (Texas)
M.S., Higher Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce
Ph.D., Higher Education, University of North Texas

Previous Positions

Interim Vice President for Student Success and Dean of Students, Texas A&M-Commerce, 2019-20
AVP Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Texas A&M-Commerce, 2018-19
Adjunct Faculty, Southern New Hampshire University, 2014-20
President, Mesalands Community College (New Mexico), 2013-18
President/Vice Chancellor, Art Institute of Dallas, 2009-13
President, Art Institute of Austin (Texas), 2007-09
Vice President, Student Affairs, Art Institutes, 2006-07
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Art Institutes, 2004-06
Dean of Student Affairs, Art Institute of Dallas, 2002-04
Director of Public Relations, Art Institute of Dallas, 2000-02

Date Assumed Presidency

April 2020

President Diana Lovell

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
100 Campus Dr.
Weatherford, OK 73096-3098
580.774.3766
580.774.7101 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., Education, Baylor University (Texas)
M.A., History, University of Houston
Ph.D., History, University of Houston

Previous Positions

Vice-Chancellor for Student Services, Blinn College (Texas)
Dean of Social Sciences, Blinn College (Texas)
Chair of Distance Learning, Blinn College (Texas)
Professor of Histor, Blinn College (Texas)
Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, Houston Baptist University
Chair of the Department of History and Political Science, Houston Baptist University
Associate Professor of European History, Houston Baptist University

Date Assumed Presidency

July 2021

President Todd Lamb

University of Central Oklahoma
100 N. University Dr.
Edmond, OK 73034-0170
405.974.2000
405.359.5841 (fax)

Degrees

B.A., Oklahoma State University
J.D., Oklahoma City University School of Law

Previous Positions

Private Practice, 2019-23
Lieutenant Governor, State of Oklahoma, 2011-19
Senator, Oklahoma State Senate, 2004-11
Staff Member to Sen. Don Nickles
Special Agent, U.S. Secret Service

Date Assumed Presidency

February 2023