NEWS
Date
NORMAN, Okla. – Erin Simpson, Ph.D., assistant vice president for student affairs and assistant dean of students at the University of Oklahoma, has been named a 2026 Annuit Coeptis Senior Professional award recipient by ACPA–College Student Educators International.
The Annuit Coeptis Senior Professional Award recognizes senior-level student affairs professionals who have demonstrated sustained contributions to the field through administrative leadership, mentorship of early career professionals, and service to the profession. The award honors individuals whose long-term leadership and mentorship have shaped student affairs practice through sustained service and institutional impact. Recipients are selected based on long-term impact and leadership rather than a single role or initiative.
“Erin’s leadership reflects the very best of our profession,” said David A. Surratt, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “She leads with clarity, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility to students and colleagues alike. Her influence is evident not only in the work she leads, but in the professionals she has mentored and the culture she helps shape at OU and beyond
At the University of Oklahoma, Simpson provides executive leadership across multiple functional areas within the Division of Student Affairs. She is widely recognized for guiding complex organizational work, strengthening student advocacy, and mentoring emerging and midlevel professionals across the institution. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful administration, professional growth, and alignment between institutional responsibility and student-centered practice.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful to me,” Simpson said. “I am grateful to work alongside colleagues who are committed to students and to the ongoing development of our profession. The mentorship and collaboration I’ve experienced at OU have shaped my own leadership, and I’m honored to be part of a community that values service and long-term impact.”
In addition to her work at OU, Simpson has contributed to the student affairs profession through national association engagement, scholarship, and professional development efforts. Her service within ACPA has focused on advancing inclusive leadership and supporting pathways for professionals at various stages of their careers.
Simpson will be formally recognized during the ACPA Annual Convention in Baltimore in March 2026.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
The University of Oklahoma has received a transformative gift from Jon and Shannon McCartney, which will name the McCartney Family Tunnel of Champions, the McCartney Family Gate of the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the McCartney Family Grand Lecture Hall in the Michael F. Price College of Business. The gift will also support the Inspiring Champions and the Athletic Director’s Discretionary Fund, in addition to establishing the McCartney DFW Career Trek program at Price College.
The University of Oklahoma today celebrated the opening of a new air traffic control tower at the OU Max Westheimer Airport. Standing 106 feet tall, more than double the current 52-foot facility, the new tower will modernize air traffic control operations and improve safety for pilots and students operating in the airspace.
Do I buy groceries or pay the electric bill? Should I pawn some of my belongings to afford my prescription? My child is sick, so I will have to miss work to take care of him. Those are just a few of the difficult choices that OU-Tulsa health professional students confronted during the Community Access to Resources Experience. The role-playing activity challenged students to navigate the financial, family and other pressures that can affect a person’s health and ability to follow medical advice. Held annually during the SCM Institute orientation week, the experience is designed to generate understanding and build empathy.
