Faith Barnes has a plan.

The senior Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) major knows what she wants to do when she graduates, and her path to achieving it is clear thanks to a partnership between 性视界传媒 and the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE).

Barnes wants to be an occupational therapist, and she plans to take advantage of an education affiliation agreement signed in 2024 between LU and ACHE to attend ACHE鈥檚 Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Through the agreement, LU students who meet ACHE鈥檚 general and program-specific admission requirements can choose to follow one of two paths into either ACHE鈥檚 Doctor of Occupational Therapy program or the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The first pathway guarantees a student鈥檚 placement in their program of choice while the second pathway allows students to bypass ACHE鈥檚 initial screening process and receive a guaranteed interview for their program of choice. Barnes is working on the first pathway.

LU students can apply for the Early Assurance Program through the LU Office of Academic Affairs. If accepted into the Early Assurance Program, students must complete all pre-requisite courses for their graduate program and enroll at ACHE within two years.

Barnes is currently working on her application, but after spending four days on ACHE鈥檚 campus participating in the Mentoring and Achievement Preparation (MAP) Program, she鈥檚 surer than ever this is the path she wants to pursue.

鈥淭he MAP Program was one of the most empowering and beneficial experiences I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� Barnes said. 鈥淚 gained not only valuable knowledge but a greater sense of confidence to pursue my passion for occupational therapy.鈥�

Students pursuing the guaranteed placement pathway through the Early Assurance Program, in addition to meeting all admissions requirements, must also participate in the MAP Program.

Launched in Spring 2023 by ACHE鈥檚 College of Health Sciences Admissions Department, School of Occupational Therapy and School of Physical Therapy, the MAP Program鈥檚 mission is to make a lasting difference in underserved communities and help reduce health disparities across the region. It鈥檚 designed to educate, encourage, equip and engage diverse students from underrepresented and underserved populations considering careers in occupational therapy or physical therapy.

The program welcomes participants to the ACHE campus in Fort Smith, Arkansas, each summer for an immersive experience followed by ongoing mentorship from faculty and current ACHE occupational therapy and physical therapy students. Additionally, the ACHE College of Health Sciences Admissions team provides participants with continued support in the form of admissions workshops, professional development events and application prep sessions.

鈥淥n top of providing actionable tools and clarity for my career path, the program gave me the privilege of having two mentors who guided me every step of the way,鈥� Barnes said. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown both personally and professionally, and I鈥檓 deeply grateful for the guidance and support as I work toward my future.鈥�

Barnes was one of two LU students who attended the MAP Program this summer. Fellow senior HPER major Ethan Stevenson also made his way to Arkansas for the program.

Stevenson wants to go to physical therapy school when he graduates, and he applied for the MAP Program because he wanted more insight into what that could look like. The opportunity to build relationships with people involved in a physical therapy program was an added bonus.

During the MAP Program, Stevenson had the opportunity to attend lectures with first, second and third-year physical therapy students. He met many of ACHE鈥檚 faculty and staff, including deans, professors and admissions coordinators. He also interacted with current ACHE students and participated in a cadaver lab where they performed a dissection to examine the shoulder. During these experiences, he was able to ask questions about ACHE鈥檚 physical therapy program and the physical therapy profession.

鈥淢y experience with the MAP Program was nothing short of amazing,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淕etting to see what a day in the life of a PT student could look like was one of the main reasons I applied, but I left with newly built relationships and friendships that have lasted even during my time away from Arkansas. The experience motivated me as a pre-PT student to improve my performance in the classroom and pursue opportunities within the physical therapy profession, such as becoming a PT technician. It has also been encouraging knowing that I have mentors at ACHE supporting me along the way.鈥�

Now that he鈥檚 returned to the Langston Campus, Stevenson is more motivated than ever to pursue physical therapy. He plans to apply for several programs, including ACHE, and his focus now is completing his bachelor鈥檚 degree and prerequisite courses.

鈥淚 am very happy that I applied for this experience because it completely changed my mentality and confidence as a student whose goal is to become a physical therapist,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淏efore ACHE accepted me into the MAP Program, I knew what I needed to do to apply to PT school, but MAP gave me the tools and guidance to not only work toward being accepted into a program but also to excel once I get there.鈥�

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The five-year award totals $2,249,925, and it comes from the National Science Foundation’s HBCU-UP Program. The money will be used to launch the Advancing STEM Competencies and Enhancing New Discoveries with AI-Assisted Learning Analytics (ASCEND) program. The ASCEND program is designed to strengthen student achievement, persistence and success in STEM.

鈥淭his NSF-funded project at 性视界传媒 advances STEM student success through an innovative AI-assisted learning model that strengthens problem-solving, scientific reasoning and retention,鈥� said Dr. Franklin Fondjo Fotou, the Acting Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. 鈥淚t expands STEM undergraduate academic support programs and interdisciplinary learning opportunities while building new resources for innovation and data visualization. The project will generate evidence-based practices to improve STEM outcomes and broaden participation in STEM careers and graduate education.鈥�

The project is led by retired LU faculty member and former Interim Dean of the Schools of Arts and Sciences Dr. John Coleman. Working alongside him as co-principle investigators are current faculty from the Departments of Chemistry, Biology and Technology: Dr. Lindsay Davis, Dr. Byron Quinn and Dr. Fondjo Fotou. Ralph Grayson, Chair of the Department Computer Science, will also help as the lead for artificial intelligence development and technology support.

ASCEND focuses on challenges students encounter in foundational 鈥済atekeeping鈥� STEM courses such as calculus, general chemistry and physics. In these courses, gaps in mathematics preparation, quantitative reasoning, conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills can hinder a student鈥檚 progress toward their STEM degree.

At the heart of ASCEND is Competency Performance Recording for Learning (CPR-L), an instructional strategy developed by Dr. Coleman and his team through earlier NSF-funded initiatives. CPR-L requires students to demonstrate not only that they can arrive at the correct answer, but that they understand and can articulate the reasoning behind it.

Through brief 2鈥�4-minute video recordings, students explain not only how they solve STEM problems but why their approaches work. Directional rubrics help students identify misconceptions, refine their reasoning and strengthen problem-solving skills.

AI-assisted learning analytics will enhance CPR-L by helping faculty identify patterns in student reasoning and provide timely, targeted feedback. CPR-L also creates a verifiable record of student reasoning that discourages 鈥減lug-and-play,鈥� which is when students use a solved example problem as a model and plug in variables from a new problem to find a solution while bypassing the need to learn and apply core concepts. Additionally, it discourages pattern matching, inappropriate reliance on AI-generated solutions and academic dishonesty.

鈥淐PR-L enhanced by AI-assisted learning analytics has the potential to be a game changer for STEM education,鈥� Dr. Coleman said. 鈥淲e want to identify where students鈥� understanding breaks down and use that knowledge to help more students succeed and persist in STEM.鈥�

Coleman鈥檚 team estimates approximately 480 students will participate in ASCEND over the next five years. In addition to the student support it will offer, ASCEND will also provide faculty professional development and utilize 性视界传媒鈥檚 Data Visualization Center to support learning analytics and interdisciplinary collaboration. The NSF award will fund the ASCEND program through Aug. 31, 2031.

Ultimately, ASCEND seeks to improve student performance, retention and graduation, support undergraduate research, and evaluate the potential for CPR-L and AI-assisted learning analytics to be replicated across STEM disciplines and institutions nationwide.

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by Ellie Melero

After spending two months on 性视界传媒鈥檚 calm and quiet campus over the summer, Braylon Hood Colbert was looking forward to the start of the new semester. He looked forward to seeing his friends, and he was excited for the campus to buzz back to life as students returned to Langston and brought the LU energy with them. But as he walked to class in the early August heat, Colbert couldn鈥檛 help thinking the summer had flown by.

A senior agricultural science major from Mustang, Oklahoma, Colbert decided to stay on the Langston Campus and dedicate his summer to conducting research. His work took him around the state with LU鈥檚 Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs as he learned how to apply his research to real life, which made this summer one he鈥檒l never forget.

鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely been worth it,鈥� Colbert said. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have had the hands-on experience and the connections I made over the summer if it wasn鈥檛 for me coming out here and getting involved. So, it鈥檚 definitely been worth it.鈥�

Colbert is no stranger to student research. After changing his major from agribusiness his junior year so that he could learn more about the science behind growing, Colbert earned a spot on Dr. Devi Kandel鈥檚 research team studying tomatoes and ginger. He helped tend the plants and input data, and he had the opportunity to share his work at the 2026 Association of 1890 Research Directors Symposium in the spring.

He enjoyed working with Dr. Kandel, but this summer, his research interests took him in a different direction.

Colbert joined the Sky Wranglers, LU鈥檚 drone precision agriculture program, in the spring after taking a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class with Marcello White. The class was his first introduction to drones and their many uses in agriculture, and it inspired him to learn more. He joined the group, and after only a short time with the Sky Wranglers, Colbert realized there was a lot to learn.

鈥淚 understood that I鈥檝e got to spend a lot of time understanding the new systems and how the drones operate and how the programming and GIS systems work,鈥� Colbert said. 鈥淪o, I just wanted to learn more and be more educated on what I was doing, so that鈥檚 why I decided to spend my time here over the summer.鈥�

He spent the first half of the summer studying for his Part 107 exam to earn his commercial drone license. He passed the exam in June, and then he was able to spend more time out in the field doing hands-on research.

He joined Dr. Amlan Kumar鈥檚 research team. As part of the team, Colbert flies drones over fields and takes photos of the crops and landscape. When he processes the photos, the research team鈥檚 advanced GIS systems can calculate things like soil health and chlorophyll content to help the researchers make decisions about how to care for the plants.

鈥淲e鈥檙e using drones to pretty much develop a system to where we can detect stresses in plants before they show up,鈥� Colbert said. 鈥淎nd we can also predict and increase the yield for tomato plants.鈥�

In addition to his research with Dr. Kumar, Colbert had the opportunity to use the drones to help real Oklahoma farmers.

He joined extension specialists with LU鈥檚 Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs to visit four farms around Oklahoma. They brought the drones and demonstrated them for the farmers and allowed the farmers to ask questions. Colbert helped explain how the drone program works and what opportunities it can provide.

The farm visits were one of his favorite parts of the summer.

鈥淚t鈥檚 connecting and networking with small farmers in Oklahoma,鈥� Colbert said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been pretty fun.鈥�

As Colbert gets back into the rhythm of classes, he plans to continue working with Dr. Kumar throughout the school year. He hopes he can take his research into a master鈥檚 program after graduation. In the future, he wants to start his own business with drones and agriculture to make precision agriculture more accessible to small farmers.

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Three 性视界传媒 students returned to campus this fall after a summer in the lab, resulting in greater confidence and a deeper understanding of biomedical research.

Shania Blythe, Jasiah Heck and Nojua Malone completed eight-week internships at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) as part of the OMRF Langston Biomedical Research Scholars program. The program, often referred to as 鈥淟angston Scholars,鈥� is a collaboration between OMRF and the university. OMRF scientist Dr. Valerie Lewis, who is also an instructor at LU, helped create the program in 2021.

Bly the is a rising senior majoring in chemistry from Chandler, Arizona. During her second summer as a Langston Scholar, she worked toward developing a new method of analyzing immune cell populations in people with and without post-traumatic stress disorder. She worked under physician-scientist Dr. Hal Scofield, and she said the experience helped prepare her for her post-graduate plans of attending medical school.

鈥淭hrough this experience, I learned a lot of different lab skills like pipetting and working with human cells,鈥� Blythe said. 鈥淭hose types of skills will definitely give me a little leverage in medical school because I鈥檒l already have the knowledge on how to do those certain types of things.鈥�

Heck is a senior from Jenks majoring in health, physical education and recreation. He worked in the lab of Dr. Benjamin Miller.

Under Miller鈥檚 guidance, he analyzed whether a certain compound increased the rate at which DNA is created in muscle cells. One of the biggest lessons he learned was that 鈥渆ach step you perform in the lab is equally important.鈥� He said the first step in the process is just as important as the last, so he made sure to give his best effort throughout the entire process.

While Heck plans to study physical therapy when he graduates, but he said this internship experience was invaluable because it helped him realize he has options.

鈥淭his experience has broadened my horizons to the different paths available in the scientific world,鈥� Heck said.

A sophomore nursing major from Frisco, Texas, Malone was the youngest of this summer鈥檚 Langston Scholars. Before her arrival, she said she was considering a professor鈥檚 suggestion to switch majors from nursing to biology. She viewed the internship as a chance to see how a biology degree might translate into a career.

In the lab of Dr. Chris Sansam, Malone studied a newly discovered relationship between two genes linked to cancer.

鈥淢y experience gave me a glimpse of a scientist鈥檚 life,鈥� Malone said. 鈥淭he hard days when the experiments don鈥檛 work and the triumphant days when you finally see some results.鈥�

Dr. Ashley Cheyney, OMRF鈥檚 director of scientific training and outreach, providing students with invaluable hands-on experiences like this is part of OMRF鈥檚 mission.

鈥淭raining future scientists is one of OMRF鈥檚 six core values, which highlights the importance we place on our internship programs,鈥� Dr. Cheyney said. 鈥淎t the end of the summer, our Langston Scholars often tell us how their experience provided direction on their future career path. We are excited to see where that path leads for these students.鈥�

The Langston Scholars program is open to rising sophomores through rising seniors who attend 性视界传媒, preferably pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, mathematics or related fields. Following their internship, Langston Scholars often continue to work in OMRF鈥檚 labs during the school year.

The application process opens Oct. 1 for next summer鈥檚 program. For more information, go to .

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During the regular meeting of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents on Sept. 11, 性视界传媒 received formal approval for an administrative realignment that includes the creation of two divisions, the dissolution of a previously existing division and the addition of a vice president for a previously existing division. Additionally, the university鈥檚 Senior Leadership Team has officially transitioned into a broader executive team known as the President鈥檚 Cabinet.

Parts of the realignment had been approved by the Board at its regular meeting in June, but the Board鈥檚 approval on Friday finalized the rest of the changes. The new organizational structure reflects a deliberate effort from 性视界传媒 to strengthen its leadership accountability, right-size the organization and better align responsibilities with the university’s strategic priorities.

鈥淲e are excited to be able to announce this administrative realignment and the new opportunities it creates for the future of our institution,鈥� said President Ruth Ray Jackson. 鈥淲e were very intentional about the changes we made to ensure that our structure supports our strategy, that responsibilities are clearly assigned, and that our resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact on student success and institutional effectiveness.鈥�

As part of the realignment, the university has introduced two new divisions: the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and the Division of University Relations.

The Division of Strategic Enrollment Management will include the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management, the Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach Services, and the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. As enrollment is a pressing strategic priority that directly impacts student success, institutional sustainability and state funding, creating a dedicated vice presidency establishes executive accountability for enrollment outcomes, aligns all enrollment functions under one leader, improves coordination from recruitment through persistence, and provides focused leadership for enrollment growth and retention strategies.

Lindsey Hunter is the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management.

The Division of University Relations will encompass formalized Board and Legislative Relations, Public Relations, Strategic Initiatives, Economic Development, and Career and Professional Development. This new vice presidency creates executive accountability for Board engagement and external partnerships, and it aligns Career and Professional Development with employer, community and partnership development. It also allows for greater focus on institutional strategy, presidential initiatives and organizational coordination.

Theresa Powell is the inaugural Vice President for University Relations and Chief of Staff.

鈥淯nder our previous organizational model, several important functions did not have a natural organizational home or a single executive accountable for outcomes,鈥� Powell said. 鈥淭his position consolidates those responsibilities under a Chief of Staff model focused on strategic coordination and relationship management. It鈥檚 designed to build capacity within several areas including strategic planning, economic development and the cultivation of institutional partnerships.鈥�

Powell previously served as the Vice President for Operations, in charge of the Division of Operations. With the realignment, the Division of Operations has been dissolved. The offices under the Division of Operations have been reassigned under the new and existing divisions.

With the realignment, the Division of Student Affairs has also added a vice presidential role. Joshua Busby has been promoted from Dean of Students to Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. He will continue to lead the Division of Student Affairs.

The change came about because the role has expanded significantly beyond the traditional Dean of Students’ functions since Busby first took over the position. It now includes broader oversight of student affairs operations and executive-level leadership responsibilities, and the revised title more accurately reflects that scope of responsibility, recognizes the position’s role as a cabinet-level officer, and establishes clear executive accountability for the student experience, student engagement and student-facing initiatives.

Vice President Hunter, Vice President Powell and Vice President Busby are all members of the President鈥檚 Cabinet, the university鈥檚 executive-level administrative team that replaced the Senior Leadership Team. The President鈥檚 Cabinet also includes Vice President for Academic Affairs Alonzo Peterson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Diana Lasswell, and Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs Mark Rasor. The President鈥檚 Cabinet is led by President Jackson.

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Addressing the gathered students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests, Dr. Jackson charged the LU community to be leaders in the spaces they inhabit, both on and off campus. She remarked on 性视界传媒鈥檚 long legacy of transforming lives through education, research, outreach and service, and she reaffirmed the university鈥檚 commitment to continuing that work during the 2026-27 school year and beyond.

鈥淎s Oklahoma’s HBCU and the state’s second-largest land-grant institution, we occupy a unique and important place in higher education,鈥� Dr. Jackson said. 鈥淭hese distinctions are not simply a source of pride; they are a responsibility. Our mission calls us to expand opportunities, create knowledge, strengthen communities and prepare students for lives of leadership and service.鈥�

Leadership and service are not new charges for the LU community; in many ways, those principles are at the core of life at Dear Langston. But Dr. Jackson renewed the charge as part of a new initiative being introduced this academic year: Lead Boldly.

The Lead Boldly initiative is named after a book by prominent businessman and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, 鈥淟ead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.鈥� In the book, Smith invites readers to consider how their actions can bring Dr. King鈥檚 鈥淏eloved Community鈥� to life through the seven key principles of purpose, courage, vision, innovation, agility, partnership and accountability. Smith visited the LU-Tulsa Campus in October 2025, and many students had the opportunity to hear him speak and even ask him questions. Over the summer, the university received a donation of 1,000 copies of his book.

Through the Lead Boldly initiative, 性视界传媒 has begun distributing free copies of the book to students at all three campuses. Throughout the school year, the university will host several Lead Boldly events intended to infuse Dr. King鈥檚 teachings directly into student programming.

鈥�(性视界传媒 students) will explore Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community and what it means to lead with purpose, service and responsibility to others,鈥� Dr. Jackson said. 鈥淭hat mission has never been more important than it is today.鈥�

In addition to introducing the Lead Boldly initiative, Dr. Jackson took time to celebrate some of the many accomplishments the LU community has had over the past year.

The School of Physical Therapy鈥檚 Class of 2026 achieved a 100% passage rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination with a 100% job placement. The School of Nursing and Health Professions secured an Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Grant of over $100,000, expanding the university’s efforts to address substance misuse, promote prevention and improve health outcomes in communities across the state. The Department of Rehabilitation Counseling and Disabilities Studies earned a Top 10 national ranking for its Master鈥檚 of Rehabilitation Counseling program. The Department of Social Sciences launched its inaugural Ambassador for Justice program, which connects students with justice leaders and leadership development experiences to prepare them to be changemakers in their communities. Students and Faculty in the Science Research Institute developed a research payload that is scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX-35 to the International Space Station in October.

鈥淎cross every school and department, we are making meaningful contributions that extend far beyond our campuses,鈥� Dr. Jackson said. 鈥淭hese things do not happen by accident. They happen because talented people choose excellence every day.鈥�

During her address, Dr. Jackson also announced 性视界传媒 has begun to work on a new long-term strategic plan. The university鈥檚 current strategic plan expires in 2027. Developing the new plan will be a collaborative process with opportunities for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to help shape the future of the institution.

Part of the plan includes changes to 性视界传媒鈥檚 administrative divisions. The university hired three new vice presidents, filling two vacant roles and creating a new one to lead a new division. Diana Lasswell has been hired as the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and Dr. R. Mark Rasor has been hired as the new Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs. Lindsey Hunter has been hired as the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management.

Along with these new hires, the university鈥檚 administration will undergo realignment to ensure the university is prepared to take on the challenges facing higher education across the country.

鈥淲e must ensure that our structure supports our strategy, that responsibilities are clearly assigned, and that our resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact on student success and institutional effectiveness,鈥� Dr. Jackson said.

Dr. Jackson also discussed the university鈥檚 upcoming Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation site visit. This standard site visit is part of the normal process of maintaining accreditation for higher education institutions, and many different university stakeholders will participate in the visit.

As many of these activities will be ongoing throughout the school year, Dr. Jackson encouraged 性视界传媒鈥檚 community to step up and take advantage of the opportunities to help shape the university鈥檚 future. LU has a long history of leadership, service and impact in Oklahoma. It is up to each member of the Lion Pride to ensure that legacy continues.

鈥淢ay we continue to learn deeply, lead boldly and serve faithfully,鈥� Dr. Jackson said. 鈥淢ay we remain steadfastly committed to our mission and intentional in building the Beloved Community. And may we continue working together to create an even stronger future for Dear Langston.鈥�

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The President鈥檚 Scholarship Gala is 性视界传媒鈥檚 largest student scholarship fundraiser of the year. The highly anticipated event always features amazing performances from talented artists, and the LU President鈥檚 Scholarship Gala Committee has booked Chant茅 as this year鈥檚 concert performance.

In 1992, Moore exploded onto the R&B music scene with her certified gold debut album, 鈥淧recious.鈥� Since then, she has released more than 20 chart-topping singles and 7 full颅-length albums. She has collaborated with many high-profile artists, including Prince, Babyface and The Isley Brothers.

Moore is known for hits like 鈥淐hant茅鈥檚 Got a Man,鈥� 鈥淟ove鈥檚 Taken Over鈥� and 鈥淪traight Up.鈥� She has won numerous awards throughout her career, such as the 1997 American Music Award for Top Soundtrack for her work on 鈥淲aiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album.鈥� She also won a 2002 Soul Train Music Award for the Best R&B/Soul Single 鈥� Group, Band or Duo for the song 鈥淐ontagious,鈥� in collaboration with The Isley Brothers and which also received a Grammy nomination. In 2013, she received a UB Honors Award for Best Independent R&B Album Release for her sixth studio album 鈥淢oore is More.鈥�

In 2014, she wrote an autobiographical self-help book titled 鈥淲ill I Marry Me?鈥� In 2017, she released her latest albums 鈥淭he Rise of the Phoenix鈥� and 鈥淐hristmas Back to You.鈥� Since then, Moore has continued to travel and perform.

“When you see me perform, you will always hear love songs,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淵ou will always get lush, beautiful and intricate harmonies. You can rely on the music being positive even if it’s about heartbreak. To sum it all up, no matter what, you can always count on getting the best of me.鈥�

To purchase tickets for the 性视界传媒 President鈥檚 Scholarship Gala, visit .

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Diana Lasswell is the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. She is responsible for stewarding donors with the 性视界传媒 Foundation as its executive director and leading the Offices of Development and Alumni Affairs. She started in her new role on Aug. 10.

Lindsey Hunter will be the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management. In this role, she will be responsible for leading strategic enrollment efforts to include admissions, recruitment and outreach services as well as student financial aid and scholarships. She will begin at 性视界传媒 on Sept. 8.

Dr. R. Mark Rasor will be the new Vice President for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs. In this role, VP Rasor will be responsible for oversight of Fiscal and Administrative Affairs to include all financial and budgetary responsibilities, human resources, Title IX/ADA, facilities management and capital projects. Dr. Rasor will begin at 性视界传媒 on Sept. 9.

鈥淲e are so happy to have VP Hunter, VP Lasswell and VP Rasor join our 性视界传媒 family,鈥� said LU President Ruth Ray Jackson. 鈥淓ach of them brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their respective roles that will be an incredible benefit to our university as we continue to work to provide affordable, high-quality higher education opportunities here in Oklahoma and beyond.鈥�听

Diana Lasswell

Vice President Lasswell is a seasoned planned giving professional with extensive experience designing, rebuilding and scaling gift-planning programs for large public universities, academic medical centers and national nonprofits. She has a proven record of closing complex blended and principal gifts, implementing charitable gift annuities and trusts, and aligning donor passions with institutional priorities.听

An Oklahoma native from Claremore, Vice President Lasswell comes to 性视界传媒 after serving as the Executive Director of Planned Giving at the University of Oklahoma since 2024. She has previously held senior roles for planned giving at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, the University of South Florida, the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, and The Salvation Army Oklahoma and Arkansas Division. She has her B.S. in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Tulsa.听听

鈥淚 am excited to be here,鈥� Vice President Lasswell said. 鈥淭he opportunity to increase fundraising efforts to help and support the students and programs here is key for me. As a first-generation college graduate at an institution with many first-generation students, this is truly a mission I am proud to be a part of.听

鈥溞允咏绱� is important to the State of Oklahoma, and I hope to share the impact LU has not just with our supporters, but with all of Oklahoma that may not realize the opportunities and impact 性视界传媒 provides. I want to do my best to make a difference and provide support for Dear Langston.鈥澨�听

Lindsey Hunter

Vice President Hunter is a strategic, student-centered higher education executive with more than 20 years of progressive leadership driving enrollment growth, postsecondary access and student success. She has spent her career building scalable enrollment systems and high performing, cross-functional teams that can translate institutional vision into operational execution and measurable results.听

She comes to 性视界传媒 after serving as the Director of Enrollment Services at Oakton College since April 2025. Throughout her career, she has served at selective research universities, community colleges, K鈥�12 systems and national nonprofits, including leadership roles at Emory University, Clark Atlanta University and Chicago Public Schools. She is a graduate of Spelman College, where she earned her B.A. in Theater and Drama, and she holds a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Hofstra University.听

鈥淚 am excited to join the Langston community as the inaugural Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management,鈥� Vice President Hunter said. 鈥淭he HBCU experience is unmatched. At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, I am certain that attending an HBCU offers a remarkable return on investment. High-quality academics, a distinct and vibrant campus experience, and lifelong alumni connections are the markers of that value.听

鈥淚 look forward to leading the team that introduces new generations of students to Langston and supports them not only in their admission, but through their matriculation and all the way to graduation at this wonderful institution.鈥�听

Dr. R. Mark Rasor

Vice President Rasor has worked in higher education accounting and finance since 2007, holding various leadership roles at two Oklahoma higher education institutions. He has extensive experience in budget preparation, financial implementation of strategic plans, direct oversight of multiple offices, and oversight of contracts with key campus partners and vendors. In addition to his experience in the higher education sector, he has 25 years of private sector experience in wholesale and retail sales, accounting and management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.听

Vice President Rasor currently serves as Vice President for Administration and Finance at Rogers State University, where he oversees the university鈥檚 financial operations and strategic resource management. Before coming to Rogers State, he served in various roles at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, including as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and Interim President. Dr. Rasor holds degrees from Baylor University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he has his doctorate from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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Prentice Ponds II fought back tears as he shook hands with Dr. Alonzo Peterson.

An inmate at Dick Conner Correctional Center (DCCC) in Hominy, Oklahoma, Ponds never thought he would have the opportunity to attend college. It was one of the many doors he assumed had been closed to him for good when he received a life sentence for a robbery conviction in 2017. But thanks to 性视界传媒鈥檚 Second Chance Pell Program, Ponds graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree on Aug. 14.

鈥淚t was just an experience that I thought I would never have,鈥� Ponds said. 鈥淎nd I had the opportunity and a chance to take it. So I did, and I love it. You know, and I advocate for (this program) all the time.鈥�

Ponds was one of nine inmates who graduated from 性视界传媒 and participated in a small graduation ceremony at the medium security chapel at the DCCC. Many of the inmates had friends and family who attended, along with several LU faculty and staff.

The celebration included remarks from Dr. Ruben Herron, a professor in LU鈥檚 Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, as the guest speaker; an honors student recognition for those on the Dean鈥檚 and President鈥檚 Honor Rolls; induction into the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for qualifying students; and the formal conferral of degrees. The ceremony also included a recognition and diploma conferral for inmates who graduated from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections鈥� Lakeside High School.

Seven men graduated with their Bachelor of Business Administration, and two men graduated with their Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services.

鈥淚t was truly a special day,鈥� said Dr. Peterson, LU鈥檚 Vice President for Academic Affairs. 鈥淵ou could see what the moment meant not only to the graduates, but also to their families and loved ones, as well as our faculty and staff who have worked with these students along the way.鈥�

The Second Chance Pell Program operates under LU鈥檚 Tulsa Campus. It was established in 2017 under the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Second Chance Pell Initiative, which restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals in 2015. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the Second Chance Pell Program will transition to a Prison Education Program.

Students in the program are able to choose between degrees in Business Administration or Rehabilitation Services. These degree programs were chosen because they are best suited to serve the graduates when they complete their sentences and re-enter the workforce.

Sylvester Stanley, a Rehabilitation Services graduate, said he loved the program because it helped him learn more about himself and has motivated him to keep pursuing education.

鈥淚t helped me to kind of grow and change in here to where I know I鈥檓 locked up, but I鈥檓 not locked up,鈥� Stanley said. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 a mindset thing. So, I take my mind and use it as a tool to help me better myself and the people around me. I鈥檝e got this support system in the world, and I want to let them know that I鈥檓 not allowing prison to be the deciding factor of how I act or dictate my mood or my feelings.鈥�

To qualify for graduation, the inmates must meet all the same degree requirements as regular LU students. For many, this takes longer than the standard four years because they may have to take a semester off to work or see to responsibilities within the court system. Ponds and Stanley remained dedicated to their studies, and they both earned honors for their work. Ponds was even able to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Stanley said it was important to him to devote his time to his studies because he has goals for his life after DCCC. When he鈥檚 released, he wants to work with at risk youth in Tulsa to help prevent them from making the same mistakes he did. He hopes to have an opportunity to begin working on his master鈥檚 while still in jail so that he will be one step closer to becoming a licensed professional counselor when he leaves.

For Dr. Peterson, this is the true goal of the program. He doesn鈥檛 see it as simply a way for the inmates to earn degrees; it鈥檚 a way for them to take control of their futures.

鈥淚 am proud that 性视界传媒 is able to provide this opportunity,鈥� Dr. Peterson said. 鈥淭hese men made a decision to use education to change the direction of their lives, and they worked hard to earn their degrees. When they return to their communities, they will do so as college graduates with an education they can use to create new opportunities for themselves and their families. And just as importantly, they are now proud alumni of 性视界传媒.

鈥淔or me, this is what our work is really about: changing lives, creating opportunities and giving people hope for what comes next.鈥�

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Oklahoma high school juniors and seniors can begin working on their college degrees by taking classes through 性视界传媒鈥檚 concurrent enrollment program this fall and spring. The program has a $100 flat fee per person per semester. Juniors can have tuition waived for up to 9 credit hours per year, and seniors can have tuition waived for up to 18 credit hours per year. This allows students to save both time and money on their degrees.

Dr. Heath Burge, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Advising Services, said it鈥檚 important to offer these opportunities to high schoolers not only for the financial aspect, but to help prepare them for the academic rigor of college courses.

鈥淭his program is important because it provides early exposure to college courses and campus experiences,鈥� Dr. Burge said. 鈥淚t provides early exposure to 性视界传媒. These students will have a headstart on completing their bachelor’s degrees, and it will ultimately help provide a smoother transition going from high school to college.鈥�

The concurrent enrollment program offers courses in a variety of subjects, including English, mathematics, natural sciences, political science and business. These classes can count toward general education requirements and program-specific pre-requisites.

To enroll in 性视界传媒鈥檚 concurrent enrollment program, students must be current 11th or 12th grade students and must either have a minimum ACT composite score of 20 or an unweighted 3.25 GPA or an unweighted 3.0 GPA while ranking in the top 50% of their class. Interested students should talk to their high school counselor.

For more information about LU concurrent enrollment, visit langston.edu/concurrent-enrollment.

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