April 26, 2007
State Regents Recognize Oklahoma City Community College
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Partnership
Oklahoma City Community College was among 22 institutions throughout the state recently recognized for their outstanding partnerships with community businesses.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants.
Hoping to address the interest of many in the Hispanic community to establish their own businesses, the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and OCCC established a partnership in 2005. Both the Chamber and OCCC recognized the entrepreneurial spirit was strong, but the chances of success were not. Both hoped to make the potential for success equal to the desire for business ownership.
The Chamber and OCCC received an economic development grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to allow for the development of the OCCC Business Assistance Center. The BAC provides business consulting and professional development classes and seminars to owners of new businesses and potential business owners. All services are free of charge and help BAC clients develop their ideas into productive, successful businesses contributing to the economy of Oklahoma City.
A one-stop shop, the BAC provides entrepreneurs assistance in launching, incubating and expanding their businesses. One-on-one consulting sessions, printed materials and educational opportunities all are provided to clients. In addition, the project includes a business incubator – a place where a new business can have essential support and services during its formative years.
This successful, long-term partnership has a positive impact on individuals and the community and looks to continue that impact.
"If we're to improve Oklahoma's future, we need creative collaborations like this program," said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. "The partnership between business and higher education benefits us threefold: businesses retain employees, employees improve their education, and immediate needs are solved in Oklahoma's economy."
Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses, internships for current students of the institutions to work at the partnering businesses, or faculty externships with the partnering businesses. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.
The Partnership Recognition Program is an annual event. For more information, visit www.okhighered.org/eco-devo.
Photos and cutlines provided at http://www.okhighered.org/news-center/edc-2007-pics/index.html.
For comments on the News Release contact:
Cordell Jordan
Media Relations Coordinator
Marketing and Public Relations
Oklahoma City Community College | 7777 South May Avenue | Oklahoma City, OK 73159-4444 | 405-682-1611
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