Hofmeister, Shrum headline State of the Schools speaker lineup
Education leaders from various levels of instruction in Oklahoma will be sharing their thoughts and insights about the status of the state’s education system during the annual State of the Schools event scheduled for Aug. 11 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Aimed at learning about efforts and ideas to improve education in Oklahoma, this year’s State of the Schools will be headlined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister and Oklahoma State University President Dr. Kayse Shrum. Hofmeister is in her final term as Oklahoma’s state superintendent, a role she has held since January 2015. She has championed a host of education reforms during her tenure designed to improve public education in Oklahoma, including a repeal of the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, the strengthening of the A-F school accountability system and more.
Dr. Shrum was named OSU’s 19th president last April and officially took office on July 1, making her the first female president to lead a public research institution in the state of Oklahoma. A native Oklahoman, Dr. Shrum previously served eight years as president of OSU’s Center for Health Sciences and two years as the medical school’s provost and dean, becoming the youngest and first female president and dean of a medical school in the state. OSU-CHS experienced unprecedented growth during her tenure at the school.
State of the Schools will also include a panel discussion about workforce development programs that are preparing students to have successful college and professional careers. Serving on this panel will be several Oklahoma City-area education leaders:
- Chris Brewster, Superintendent, Santa Fe South Public Schools
- Chip Carter, President & CEO, Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School
- Michelle Keylon, Ed.D, Superintendent/CEO, Francis Tuttle Technology Center
- Dr. Jeanie Webb, President, Rose State College
Individual tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $75 for nonmembers. To register or learn more, visit okcchamber.com/schools. Sponsor tables of eight with additional recognition are available for $1,500. Contact Suzette Ellison Jordan at [email protected] for table sponsor inquiries.
Doors will open at 11 a.m. for registration and networking. The wearing of masks is optional for all attendees but is encouraged, especially during networking time.
The Chamber and American Fidelity Assurance Company invite attendees to bring school supplies to the event, which will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. Supplies can also be dropped off at the Chamber office prior to the event.
Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, School Supply/ Centerpiece Sponsor American Fidelity Assurance Company and Host Sponsor Cox Communications.
This story originally appeared in the August 2021 edition of the VeloCity newsletter.
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