Approximately 150 Reach Higher students and their families, faculty, and representatives from participating Reach Higher institutions recently gathered at the Oklahoma History Center to honor current Reach Higher participants, 2018 graduates, faculty and other educational partners.

Speakers included Chancellor Glen D. Johnson and former Oklahoma Secretary of State Dave Lopez, who inspired students to complete their degrees in order to build Oklahoma’s workforce. Additionally, three current Reach Higher students and graduates talked about their experiences returning to college as adult students.

“Oklahoma is a leader in engaging adult students to return to college to finish their degrees,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “We commend the commitment demonstrated by our Reach Higher students and graduates, and we are so pleased to take this opportunity to recognize their accomplishments.”

Reach Higher, Oklahoma’s adult degree completion program, was initiated in 2007. The program was recently renamed Reach Higher: FlexFinish to reflect the addition of a new adult degree completion option, Reach Higher: DirectComplete.

Reach Higher: FlexFinish offers a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership at eight regional universities as well as an Associate in Arts and Associate in Science in enterprise development (general studies or business administration). Regional universities offering the bachelor’s program are Cameron University, Langston University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Rogers State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma.

Community college and technical branch campuses offering the FlexFinish associate program are Carl Albert State College, Connors State College, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Murray State College, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, Redlands Community College, Rose State College, Seminole State College, Tulsa Community College and Western Oklahoma State College.

The new Reach Higher: DirectComplete program, supported by a grant from Lumina Foundation, is designed to provide opportunities for adults to complete degree programs with funding and support from partnerships developed to ensure student success. The program will target individuals identified by state partners who are within 15 credit hours (75 percent) of completing an associate degree or within 60 credit hours (50 percent) of completing a baccalaureate on the list of degrees connected with workforce development needs that align with Oklahoma’s 100 Critical Occupations List. Participants must have a 2.0 GPA in all previous college credits and must have completed all remedial coursework.

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. Lumina envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. The Foundation’s goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.

For more information about the Reach Higher programs, visit www.reachhigheroklahoma.org.