In this Amplification Lab guest post, Dr. Robert Placido describes the impact of the collective work of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) and Complete College America to support college success and completion in Oklahoma. 

Complete College America and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education: A Partnership Impacting Lives Through High-Impact Practices

Complete College America (CCA) has been a bold advocate for transforming higher education. Its mission to dramatically increase college completion rates and close institutional performance gaps dovetails seamlessly with the vision and work of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE). Rooted in a commitment to equitable college completion, CCA champions four Pillars of Transformation—Purpose, Structure, Momentum, and Support—each accompanied by a set of corresponding strategies. OSRHE, steadfast in its mission to improve the quality of higher education in Oklahoma, has taken these strategies to heart, implementing numerous high-impact practices that align closely with CCA’s pillars.

Aligning Academic and Career Goals

One of CCA’s core strategies under the ‘Purpose’ pillar is to create a clear connection between learning in the classroom and the world of work. OSRHE’s website, OK College Start, aligns seamlessly with this pillar by providing a tool for students to shape their future by exploring resources for lifelong career planning. This initiative serves as a lynchpin to link academics to career goals and societal needs, thus making education not just an end but a means to a fuller life.

Structural Innovation for Student Success

CCA promotes ‘Math Pathways‘ to align the appropriate gateway math course with students’ career goals. OSRHE’s ‘Launch Years Initiative’ mirrors this approach by joining 19 other states in focusing on smooth transitions between high school and college-level math courses. This initiative reduces barriers and prepares students for their chosen career paths.

Fostering Lifelong Learning and Skills Development

In promoting ‘Stackable Certificates & Credentials’, CCA aims to create competency-driven structures that encourage lifelong learning. OSRHE’s upskillok.org initiative aligns perfectly with this strategy by offering career-focused micro-credentials. This initiative supports immediate employability and lays the groundwork for future educational endeavors.

Building Momentum Through Recognition and Flexibility

CCA’s ‘Credit for Competency’ strategy recognizes the prior learning, skills, and knowledge that students bring to the classroom. OSRHE’s showwhatyouknowok.org is a pioneering initiative that helps students earn college credit based on their existing competencies, thereby accelerating their progress toward a degree.

Multiple Measures and Corequisite Support

OSRHE has updated its policies to be test-optional, aligning with CCA’s ‘Multiple Measures’ strategy. In addition, OSRHE now requires corequisite or supplemental instruction, mirroring CCA’s ‘Corequisite Support‘ strategy. These policy updates are designed to ensure more students have access to college-level courses, thereby improving college completion rates.

Concurrent Enrollment for High School Students

CCA encourages concurrent enrollment to provide high school students with opportunities to take college classes. OSRHE’s Concurrent Enrollment Initiative aims to foster a seamless educational pathway from high school to college. This initiative exemplifies the proactive, high-impact practice that aligns with CCA and sets a new standard for educational excellence.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education has aligned its initiatives with those of Complete College America and enhanced them with high-impact practices that are aggressively and positively impacting higher education in Oklahoma. This collaborative approach is a testament to OSRHE’s commitment to educational excellence and equity, fulfilling the shared vision of both organizations to improve the lives of students through higher education.

The partnership between OSRHE and CCA is a shining example of what can be achieved when two organizations unite in a common mission. It is a model of how strategic alignment and high-impact practices can dramatically improve the quality of higher education and, by extension, the lives of the students it serves.

About Dr. Placido

Dr. Robert Placido currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. In this role, Dr. Placido is committed to enhancing student preparation, collegiate programs, and student services, as well as supporting workforce and economic development in Oklahoma.

Dr. Placido brings over 25 years of experience in various facets of higher education. His journey includes significant contributions to the University of Maine System and over 19 years at Texas Woman’s University, where he blended his leadership skills with a keen understanding of technology’s role in education.

Prior to his academic career, Dr. Placido gained valuable experience in the business sector and served with honor in the U.S. Air Force. His educational background includes a PhD in Higher Education – Statistics from the University of North Texas and a Master’s in Finance from Southern Methodist University.

Dr. Placido is a passionate advocate for using technology, including AI, to enhance the educational experience. His approach is always centered on collaboration, service, and a deep commitment to educational excellence and innovation.