It’s a college experience built around meeting students where they’re at, when they’re ready—one filled with opportunity and expertise. At the start of the spring semester, those words set the tone for the third annual State of OU Polytechnic Institute (OUPI) on the OU–Tulsa campus. Industry leaders, community college partners, faculty, and the growing OUPI student community came together to celebrate another year of progress and to look toward an even more exciting 2026.
“We’re not retrofitted, we’re not rebranded,” Dr. Reed said. “We’re purposefully designed to be a hands‑on, industry‑aligned polytechnic…neither a traditional university nor a career tech model. It is a merging of these to make our programs even more robust.”
OUPI, within the Gallogly College of Engineering, was built to prepare students for high-demand careers, but it was also created around the idea that students need flexibility, resources, and support—both in and out of the classroom—to be successful. That flexibility is one reason Alexandrya Tahdooahnippah, a first-generation student, mother, and student ambassador, found her place at OUPI. Now in her second semester of the Cybersecurity program, she says the school’s support has played a huge role in her success.
“I had a lot of support from the school itself in being successful,” said Tahdooahnippah. “They are very accommodating. The scholarships I’ve been awarded have been a game changer in making this happen for me. That’s really what I needed to get my step forward in higher education.”
Tahdooahnippah said she chose OUPI and the Cybersecurity program because of a mission close to her heart. “Protecting children on the internet is one of my big goals…as a parent, I know the internet’s not always a safe place,” said Tahdooahnippah. “I’d love to do my part to make it safer.”
OUPI remains on the cutting edge of tech industries, constantly adapting to fit the needs of the contemporary workforce. “In this day and age, it’s hard to imagine anything more exciting…all of our degrees are expanding as far as the curriculum is concerned…we look at what makes a more employable student and adapt our curriculum every year to meet those needs,” said Dr. John Hassell, PhD, MBA, and Associate Professor of Software Development and Integration.
Small classes, hands‑on learning, and real industry partnerships mean students don’t just learn, they practice, build, design, and problem‑solve using the same tools and systems they’ll encounter in the workforce.
At the end of this semester, the OUPI family will celebrate the graduation of its first cohort of students, many of whom already have their next steps laid out, including permanent jobs and acceptance into graduate school. “Being able to help provide future leaders in our community and to help train our industry partners—our leaders who are already there—is really what we’re all about,” said Dr. Christopher Freeze, PhD, Assistant Professor for Cybersecurity.
With new students joining, new partnerships forming, and new programs launching, the momentum at OUPI has never been stronger.
“Definitely don’t hesitate,” said Tahdooahnippah. “Do it. Apply for every scholarship you can, and if you give it your best effort and really put your heart and mind into it, you cannot fail. They will not let you fail.”
The application for fall 2026 is currently open for Bachelor of Science degree tracks in Applied Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Healthcare Information Systems, and Software Development and Integration.
