EOSC NEWS RELEASE
Eastern Oklahoma State College President Stephen E. Smith, Ed.D. has informed the EOSC Board of Regents that the current 2019-2020 academic year will conclude his service as president to the college after 13 years.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as president of this historic institution. I cannot say enough about the various members of the faculty, staff and administration that have helped assist with the total transformation of Eastern Oklahoma State College over the past 13 years,” Smith said. “It has been exciting to be part of the many changes and improvements that have taken place during my tenure, including improvements to academics, technology, finances, campus facilities, marketing, as well as community and public relations. It has been equally rewarding to provide a college environment that our students helped develop to ensure they have a quality campus life as they pursue their dream of completing a college degree.”
EOSC Board of Regents Chair Bobby Mouser praised Smith for his efforts and 15-year service to Eastern.
“I would like to thank Dr. Smith for his leadership at Eastern Oklahoma State College. He has been a passionate leader and a positive change agent for Eastern. He has met every challenge head on and worked with the Board, staff and students to provide solutions that ensured the institution would continue to provide a quality education in a pleasant environment and at an affordable cost.
“Dr. Smith had a role in many significant achievements during his tenure, including earning a number one ranking in the state for our nursing program, the development of five fully online degree programs, awards of more than $40 million in grant funding and Eastern’s positive role in regional economic development. Dr. Smith will be missed and I wish him the best,” Mouser said.
In an announcement to the campus community and EOSC Board of Regents, Smith stated that he made the decision well in advance to give the Board sufficient time to identify a successor for the 2020-21 academic year. His last scheduled date of employment is June 30, 2020.
Mouser said the Board of Regents is preparing to conduct a national search and the process will include opportunities for the Eastern community to provide feedback throughout the process, including input from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
“We will begin a national search for a new president in October,” Mouser said. “We will have ample time to find a replacement and have a smooth leadership transition.”
Smith became Eastern’s 20th president on March 28, 2007. Upon his appointment as president, Smith was 38 years of age, making him the youngest college president in the state at that time.
Smith said that thanks to the collaborative efforts of the entire Eastern community, the institution has achieved significant milestones in the past 13 years.
Before joining Eastern as the dean of the McAlester Campus in July 2005, Smith gained experience in both the public school and CareerTech systems. He began his career as a high school assistant, principal and coach at Stigler Public Schools. Upon leaving Stigler, he was hired as an assistant principal at Stillwater High School, where he became one of the state’s leaders in the development of the Teachers as Advisors program. Smith presented the concepts of this program to more than 100 public schools across Oklahoma. He was also named as a two-time finalist for Assistant Principal of the Year in the state of Oklahoma.
After his tenure with Stillwater Public Schools, Smith remained in Stillwater and was named the director of Full-Time Instructional Programs at Meridian Technology Center. During his time in this position, he assisted with the development of the first precision metal fabrication program in Oklahoma, as well as one of the first bio-technology programs. At the time of their development, both programs were considered cutting-edge training programs throughout the state.
A native of southeast Oklahoma and member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Smith graduated from Quinton High School and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Northeastern State University. He also earned an education specialist and doctorate in educational leadership from Oklahoma State University. Smith received national recognition for his research on the transition of dependent school district students to independent school districts in Oklahoma.
Smith said he has accomplished many of the goals he set out to achieve at Eastern and is looking forward to his next challenge.
“I have reached a point in the retirement system that I am fully vested and this will allow me to seek other professional opportunities. From a personal standpoint, I am excited about what the future holds as I seek another position that I hope will be as equally rewarding as the one I have held for the past 13 years,” Smith said. “Whether the new opportunity is in education, private business, or the non-profit sector, it will be a new professional chapter in my life that I look forward to exploring.”
Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing story that will be covered by the Statesman throughout the year.
