Oklahoma State Rep. Rhonda Baker was recognized with a 2019 Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education today by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Council of College and University Presidents. She was honored for her service as Chair of the Common Education Committee, as a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education. She also served as a member of the Judiciary Committee.
“We are pleased to honor Rep. Baker with a Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Since her election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2016, Rep. Baker has been a top advocate to ensure higher education remains a priority in Oklahoma. We thank her for her support for OSRHE’s budget request, including increasing faculty pay, fully funding concurrent enrollment for high school seniors, and providing funds for Section 13 offset monies for Oklahoma’s 25 public colleges and universities.”
The Distinguished Service Awards for Higher Education recognize individuals who demonstrate distinguished leadership and support of higher education in Oklahoma during the legislative session. It is the highest award presented by the State Regents and the Council of College and University Presidents.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Oklahoma Regents for my support of higher education,” said Baker. “A strong higher education system is incredibly important in helping prepare our young people for the jobs we have in this state and those we hope to attract. It’s important that we continue to invest in our higher ed institutions and find innovative solutions to further increase outcomes in our state colleges and universities.”