Rogers State University generated nearly $200 million in economic activity for the State of Oklahoma in fiscal year 2024, according to a study commissioned by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The study by the University of Cincinnati Economic Center said operations at RSU, along with student and alumni spending, directly and indirectly supported more than 2,100 jobs in Oklahoma with total wages of nearly $98 million. These expenditures in turn stimulate additional economic impact resulting from increased demand, income, and jobs within other industries as well as increases in household income and spending.

“Rogers State University’s impact upon northeast Oklahoma is felt in large cities and small communities and as the university grows, its impact grows,” said Dr. Don Raleigh, president of RSU. “Our commitment to provide academic programs that will educate the workforce in high demand occupations creates the opportunity to retain and recruit companies that will grow our regional economy.”

The study showed that for every dollar of state appropriations provided to RSU, $12.64 in economic output was generated.

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Good luck to Rogers State University student Seyton Thomas, who is in Little Rock, Arkansas, this week to compete in the Miss Collegiate America Pageant.

Thomas, who is working on her Master of Science in Community Counseling degree at RSU, will be representing Oklahoma, competing in categories that include private interview, evening gown, fun fashion and on-stage questioning competition against 46 other contestants from across the nation.

Supporters may vote for Thomas at $1 per vote for the People’s Choice Award. She has been in the top 5 since voting opened, and should she win People’s Choice, will be guaranteed a spot in finals night.

The final competition will be this Saturday, July 5, with the winner of Miss Collegiate America taking home a 2025 Bronco Sport. Winners of the respective categories (Miss Junior High, High School and Collegiate) will each receiving a $10,000 scholarship to the school of their choice, an all expenses paid trip abroad to Italy and Greece, a real diamond crown ring, Luis Vuitton shopping spree, a MacBook Pro, free porcelain veneers and dental services, a travel allowance, photoshoots, wardrobe, and much more.

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To paraphrase painter Bob Ross, RSU alumna Tashona Jones’s life is one that’s been filled with happy accidents, the latest of these culminated in her return to the Hill as the university’s new website and social media coordinator.

Until recently, Jones was an SEO (search engine optimization) engineer and website builder at Driven Digital in Pryor, when she learned of an opening at RSU on the Communications and Marketing team.

“It was really by accident that I found out about the position at RSU,” Jones said. “I’d been at Driven Digital since 2020 and, just for fun, had been looking around to see if there were any other jobs available in the area.

“Before I was there (at Driven Digital), I spent several years as assistant stage manager at the Robson Performing Arts Center in Claremore,” she continued. “One of my old summer theater kids encouraged me to apply at RSU. I looked into it and saw there was an opening for website coordinator, so I applied for that, and got the position. I’m so happy to be back.”

Jones’s first official day on staff at RSU was Monday, June 23 – her first full day back at her alma mater since graduating in 2012 with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design.

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A program to prepare the next generation of elementary school teachers is one step closer to reality at Rogers State University.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved RSU’s request to begin a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, and RSU hopes it will be able to enroll its first class into the program in time for the fall semester.

RSU still must secure some accreditation approvals before it can begin enrolling students.

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The Writing Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer. The Writing Center is located in Baird Hall room 206. Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Writing Center.