POTEAU, Okla. — Carl Albert State College has been awarded a Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant in the amount of $2,999,499 to support Workforce Ready, a comprehensive five-year initiative designed to strengthen academic programs, expand career preparation and better connect students with workforce opportunities.
The project focuses on two primary goals: increasing the number of graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed in industry or advanced higher education programs, and improving postsecondary success through graduation and transfer.
“This grant represents a significant investment in our students and in the communities we serve,” said CASC President Dr. Jay Falkner. “Our mission is centered on providing affordable, accessible and exceptional education that leads to meaningful opportunities. Workforce Ready will allow us to strengthen that connection between the classroom and what comes next—whether that is entering the workforce or continuing toward a higher degree.”
A major component of Workforce Ready will focus on updating eight CASC academic programs to better align curriculum, technology and instruction with current industry standards and advanced education requirements. Those programs include Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Occupational Health & Safety, Biological and Pre-Professional Science, Digital Media Technology, Sociology & Psychology, Environmental Science and Criminal Justice.
CASC will establish advisory councils that bring together area employers and representatives from regional four-year institutions to help identify the knowledge and skills students need for their next step. Faculty in the targeted programs will also participate in professional development and work-based summer externships with employers, providing opportunities to bring firsthand industry knowledge back into the classroom. New work-based learning opportunities will be incorporated into the programs as they are updated.
The grant will also support the creation of a comprehensive career coaching system for CASC students. Dedicated Career Services Centers will be established on both the Poteau and Sallisaw campuses, ensuring students at each location have direct access to career resources and support. Career Services representatives will be available on each campus to work with students one-on-one, assisting with career exploration and planning, job searches, resumes and interviews, networking, professionalism and other skills needed to successfully transition from college to the workforce. The grant will support renovations and equipment for the new centers at both locations.
CASC is also pleased to announce that Stephanie Qualls will serve as Director of Career Services, helping lead the development and implementation of these expanded resources. Qualls brings valuable experience to the position, having previously managed a highly successful workforce initiative grant. Her experience connecting education, workforce needs and student opportunities will be an important asset as CASC develops the Workforce Ready initiative and expands career services across the College.
“We are incredibly pleased to have Stephanie leading this effort,” Falkner said. “She has already demonstrated her ability to successfully manage a major workforce initiative, and she understands both the needs of our students and the employers throughout our region. Having someone with her experience at the helm gives us a tremendous opportunity to build a Career Services program that will have a lasting impact on our students and communities.”
Career preparation will also be incorporated earlier into the student experience. CASC’s Freshman Orientation course will be revised to include career development and AI literacy, while new technology and career-service resources will help students explore occupations, understand labor-market needs and prepare for employment.
The initiative will incorporate career coaching throughout a student’s time at CASC, with resources and advising focused on career planning and job searches, securing a job, professionalism and networking, and employment soft skills. The College also plans to invest in career-planning, labor-market and other technology to help students connect their education with career opportunities.
“For many of our students, college is about creating a better future for themselves and their families,” Falkner said. “We want them to leave Carl Albert not only with a credential, but also with a clear understanding of where that credential can take them and the confidence and skills to take that next step.”
The project is particularly significant to CASC’s role as a rural community college serving eastern Oklahoma. The grant proposal identifies connecting area residents with high-wage, high-skill and in-demand occupations as a priority while strengthening relationships among the College, regional employers and four-year institutions.
Ultimately, Workforce Ready is designed to increase enrollment and retention, increase the number of degrees and certificates awarded, improve graduates’ earnings, and help more CASC graduates advance along their career paths through continued education or employment in their chosen fields.
“Carl Albert was founded on the idea that where you live or what resources you have should not determine whether higher education is within your reach,” Falkner said. “This investment allows us to continue that tradition while making sure the education we provide remains relevant to today’s workforce and responsive to the needs of our region.”
Carl Albert State College serves students through its campuses in Poteau and Sallisaw and through the CASC Online Campus. The College’s mission is to provide affordable, accessible and exceptional education that fosters student success.
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