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News Archive OSU Institute of Technology

Avant Looks Back at Growth, Accomplishments After 26 Years at OSUIT

Thu, Jul 17, 2014

Executive Vice President Linda Avant has served as interim department head, interim division chair and interim vice president in practically all the divisions and offices on the campus during her 26 years at OSUIT.

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Staff Gain Certification, Skills in Assisting Veterans at Conference

Wed, Jul 09, 2014

Two OSU Institute of Technology staff members recently became Certified Veterans’ Service Providers after attending a program in Oklahoma City.

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Library Now Offering an Easy Way to Power Up

Wed, Jul 09, 2014

OSU Institute of Technology Library recently installed two charging stations after students began asking to recharge their mobile devices.

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Want a Better Job? Some Companies are Willing to Pay Your Tuition

Thu, Jul 03, 2014

Managers at Pryor manufacturer American Castings are thrilled to pay the tuition bills for the 30 employees who took after-hours classes last year.

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How Can You Get a High-paying, High-skilled Job in Oklahoma?

Wed, Jul 02, 2014

The new Chesapeake Energy Center at the OSUIT Okmulgee campus is a symbol of the changing face of education in Oklahoma.

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OSUIT Meeting the Needs of Employers

Mon, Jun 30, 2014

According to a 2014 study by CareerBuilder, more than half of the country’s employers have open positions, but cannot find qualified candidates.

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OSUIT: The University of Jobs

Sun, Jun 29, 2014

OSU Institute of Technology is one of the best opportunities for young people to obtain skills in an impressive variety of fields.

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Camp Offers Youths Hands-on Experience in Technology Programs

Wed, Jun 25, 2014

Emerging & Converging Technologies camp, hosted on the OSUIT campus, shows 8th through 10th graders how math and science are immersed into all types of careers.

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Employers Unite to Address Veterans Filling the Skills Gap

Fri, Jun 20, 2014

OSU Institute of Technology in partnership with Tulsa’s Community Service Council (CSC) hosted an issues-based conference for area employers and hiring managers on transitioning military veterans from the war zone to the workforce. The Veterans Skills Gap Conference, funded by the Veterans Initiative of the CSC, was held Friday at the Mid-America Industrial Park in Pryor. About 30 employers from northeast Oklahoma attended the conference to hear from veterans, employers and representatives from several veterans’ organizations. A lunch presentation featured AEP’s Northeastern Power Stations Plant Manager Mark Barton on AEP’s innovative “Troops to Energy Jobs” program. Nearly twenty percent of Northeastern Power Stations’ workforce is military veterans. “I’m thankful to work for a company that supports those who have already given their time to serving their country,” Barton said. “For those of us who aren’t veterans, it’s important we engage those who are.” Of Northeast Power Stations employees hired in the past seven years, more than a third are veterans. “I’ve never hired someone because they are a veteran. We’ve always hired the best person for the job,” he said. “Veterans bring excellent technical skills to the job, as well as a level of maturity and self-discipline. They also have excellent leadership and teamwork skills.” The conference also included a veterans resource fair; a panel discussion on military occupational specialties with representatives from each military branch; and a question and answer session with employers and veterans on the best ways to transition into a civilian workforce. “A lot gets lost in translation when we come out of the military service,” said Matthew Engelbach, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and now works with homeless veterans for the Community Service Council. “While veterans have a ton of real-world experience, they have no experience in looking for a job. When they joined they military right out of high school, most were recruited.” Lori Nichols, the human resources manager at American Castings, said veterans can make great employees because of the skill sets they can bring to the company. “Hiring a veteran allows us to know they have the discipline, accountability and work ethic we’re looking for in our employees,” Nichols said. Many of the veterans on the panel said it’s important that employers don’t rely simply on a resume when considering hiring a veteran. “Even if it doesn’t seem like the perfect fit, give them the benefit of the doubt. Give them the chance to talk with you one-on-one,” said Engelbach. “Both of my successful jobs post-military came about because they brought me in, sat down with me and had a conversation about what I could do, what I was willing to learn and what I was willing to do.” Brig. General Ged Wright, retired commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and former State Senator, said it’s important that employers and veterans find ways to get together. “The discipline and self-worth we learn in the military, those are the most important things to employers,” Wright said. The issues of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries and how employers can accommodate those disabilities was also addressed. Cambrae Garba enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps a month after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. When he returned and went back to school, he appreciated the fact that faculty gave him more time to take exams and allowed him time to talk with counselors and therapists. “Someone may look normal, but you don’t know what’s going on inside,” Garba said. “Some wounds are invisible.”

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Outstanding Faculty, Staff Recognized at Employee Banquet

Wed, Jun 18, 2014

The Annual Employee Banquet once again recognized OSU Institute of Technology’s faculty and staff for their service, dedication and merit.

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OSUIT Hosts Conference on Veteran Employment

Wed, Jun 18, 2014

OSUIT hosts an issues-based conference for area employers and hiring managers on transitioning military veterans from the war zone to the workforce.

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Native American Students Gain Confidence, Education at OSUIT

Thu, Jun 12, 2014

For almost 14 years Zac Wise thought his educational journey was over. He’s now transferred to OSUIT and will earn an AS degree in Secondary Pre-Education.

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