University of Central Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

Oklahoma is striving to be a top ten state in health outcomes. Unfortunately, there are critical healthcare shortages in Oklahoma, which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Oklahoma already lags behind in health outcomes, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) proposes to positively impact health outcomes in the state through a new state-of-the-art Allied Health Center at UCO. This Center will allow UCO to enhance its state-wide contribution by preparing and graduating a greater number of students with the skillsets required to meet the demands for jobs in the healthcare and safety professions, many of which are included on the Oklahoma Works list of Critical Occupations. This project is in alignment with the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding?s goals. The 102,000 square feet Allied Health Center at UCO features: ? In-demand allied health and safety academic programs including Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology, Counseling Psychology, Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling, Funeral Service, Occupational Safety, and Kinesiology and Health Studies (including Public Health) ? Laboratories, clinics, classrooms, and active learning spaces ? Interprofessional, team-based learning opportunities and community education ? Enhanced workforce education, training, and placement services ? World-class educators and researchers in health and safety fields

EVIDENCE

Recent data from the Department of Health and Human Services show that more than 40% of Oklahoma hospitals were short staffed as of October 2021. The pandemic also exposed a significant need for more professionals in health and safety occupations. Many of the academic programs in the Allied Health Center at UCO will produce graduates with skillsets necessary to prepare for and fill jobs included on the Oklahoma Work?s Critical Occupations list. Some examples include: Registered Nurses; Nurse Practitioners; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorders, and Mental Health Counselors; Occupational Health and Safety Specialists; Speech-Language Pathologists; Physical Therapists; and Physical Therapist Assistants.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

UCO is the only metropolitan university in the state, currently serving a diverse student body of over 13,000 students. The seven academic programs affiliated with the Allied Health Center at UCO currently enroll 2,169 of those students. Fifty-eight percent of these students are first-generation college students and 44 percent receive Federal Pell Grants (grants awarded to undergraduate students based on exceptional need). Approximately 46 percent of the students are from underrepresented groups. In academic year 2020-21, UCO conferred 410 degrees to graduates of these programs. These students are representative of the communities from which they come and return to after graduation. In fact, over 85% of recent UCO graduates stay and work in Oklahoma. It is UCO?s intention to increase access to affordable health and safety education programs for these populations to meet workforce demand and have a positive impact on the health and safety of all Oklahomans.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The proposed Allied Health Center at UCO project will track enrollment (yearly/semester), retention and graduation rates, and degrees conferred of students majoring in health and safety academic programs. In addition, the number of individuals who are first-generation college students, members affiliated with underrepresented groups, and/or Federal Pell grant-eligible, will be tracked. Once students earn their degree, the Center will track their job placement via surveys administered prior to graduation and after graduation. These numbers will be compared to data at UCO before the completion of the Allied Health Center at UCO.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding