Left to right: State Regent Dennis Casey, OSRHE Chancellor Sean Burrage, Deputy Executive Director of Cherokee Nation Education Services Aaron Emberton, RSU Interim President Dr. Mark Rasor, and State Regent Steven Taylor.
The partnership between the Cherokee Nation and Rogers State University was recently recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as an innovative collaboration that furthers the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions, businesses and the community to further cultivate the higher learning environment.
Kyla Guyette, Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission; State Regents’ Chair Dennis Casey; State Regent Steven W. Taylor; and Chancellor Sean Burrage participated in the ceremony, held at the University of Central Oklahoma. Aaron Emberton, Cherokee Nation Deputy Director of Education Services also attended.
“When Oklahoma businesses partner with our colleges and universities, they’re not just accessing talent – they’re investing in our state’s future,” Burrage said. “The State Regents are proud to recognize and celebrate these positive collaborations that promote economic growth, innovation and job creation in Oklahoma.”
The Cherokee Nation has a long and impactful history with Rogers State University. Located in the northern part of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, RSU serves hundreds of the tribe’s citizens each year with the support of the Nation’s robust educational grant program.
In 2024, the Cherokee Nation provided RSU with the largest single gift in its history, a $4 million donation to help fund the university’s new Center for Science and Technology.
“The Cherokee Nation has always believed in education and opportunities that spur economic growth for not only Cherokee citizens but all our friends and neighbors,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “We truly value our partnership with RSU and the expansive programs that the university offers and thank the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for this recognition.”
In addition, the Rogers State University Foundation provides scholarships to Cherokee Nation nursing students, and RSU-TV broadcasts an array of Cherokee Nation programming, including native language instruction.