Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City has announced Lee Copeland as the keynote speaker for its upcoming commencement ceremony, bringing a voice focused on workforce development, opportunity and the evolving job market.

Copeland serves as director of talent programs and partnerships for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, where he leads workforce initiatives that connect employers with education and training partners across the region. His work centers on aligning academic pathways with industry needs to help students transition more quickly into high-demand careers.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at the Bennett Event Center at the State Fair Park. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.

Copeland said he was “super honored” to be invited, especially given his organization’s partnership with OSU-OKC through workforce programs like the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, or FAME. The program allows students to earn an engineering technology degree while gaining paid, hands-on experience with local employers.

“We’ve invested really heavily over the last couple of years in the lives of some students through the same program,” Copeland said. “To be able to speak at a commencement where some of those students are graduating — and to have a broader voice for the whole student body — is really meaningful.”

In his remarks, Copeland plans to emphasize both reflection and momentum. He said graduation is a milestone that represents persistence, sacrifice and support from others.

“Students need to pause and recognize they didn’t get there by themselves,” he said. “They’re surrounded by people who encouraged and supported them. And at the same time, this isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of what comes next.”

Copeland also highlighted the unique role OSU-OKC plays in the region’s workforce ecosystem, particularly for nontraditional students balancing jobs, families and education.

“OSU-OKC creates pathways for people who need to level up to reach the next opportunity,” he said. “Learning unlocks earning potential, and this institution sits in a really important place in making that happen.”

Drawing on his own experience completing a degree while working full time and raising a family, Copeland acknowledged the challenges many graduates face.

“It can feel like something you survived more than accomplished,” he said. “But over time, that pride sets in. It’s something no one can take from you, and it opens doors that weren’t there before.”

Looking ahead, Copeland pointed to continued growth in Oklahoma City and the increasing importance of both technical skills and human-centered abilities, such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving.

He encourages graduates to focus not only on credentials but also on how they present their value to employers.

“The best opportunities still come through relationships,” he said. “Networking, telling your story and being able to articulate what you bring to an organization — those things matter more than ever.”

As graduates prepare to cross the stage, Copeland said he hopes they leave with confidence in what they’ve accomplished and curiosity about what comes next.

“You’ve done something difficult,” he said. “Now the question is, what will you do next?”