The Crimson Summit

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Location: OU Norman Campus

Join the Office of Admissions & Recruitment for our annual Crimson Summit! Learn more about our incredible programs to best assist the students and community you work with. You will be provided with a message from the 15th President of the University of Oklahoma, Joseph Harroz Jr., learn about helpful resources for your students, engage with OU faculty, staff, and students over lunch, and get behind the scenes tours of some of our new spaces/resource offices!

Attendees will receive a special OU item, professional development certificate, and a one-time fee waiver for an applicant to apply to OU. Additional giveaways will be presented throughout the event.

For: High school principals, counselors, advisors, registrars, Indian Education Directors, Tribal Educators, community-based organizations, leaders, transfer institution partners, and superintendents.

Register for Crimson Summit

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – Check-In and OU Partner Fair at the Jones Family Welcome Center
Light breakfast refreshments and coffee will be available

9:00 a.m. – Opening Session

9:50 a.m. – Session 1

OU Admissions 101
Supporting Students: What Today's Students Need Most

10:40 a.m. – Session 2

Crimson Commitment: Paying for College with Confidence
Maximizing Credit: Concurrent Enrollment, AP, IB, and more!

11:30 a.m. – Session 3

Pathways to OU: Transfer Updates and Resources to Support a Successful Transition
Inside the High-Achieving Student Experience: Student Panel

12:15 p.m. – Lunch
Enjoy lunch in the beautiful Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art while connecting with current OU students and colleagues. The luncheon will also feature a keynote address from Jennie Baranczyk, head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team.

1:30 p.m. – Post-Conference Sessions
(Optional)

2:30 p.m. – Event Concludes

Session Options and Descriptions

Session 1

OU Admissions 101 - If you're new to working with the University of Oklahoma, this session is your perfect starting point. Get a comprehensive overview of OU’s admissions process, key deadlines, application tips, and student opportunities. Designed specifically for those newer to the profession, this session will equip you with the essential information to confidently support your students on their path to becoming a Sooner.
Supporting Students: What Today's Students Need Most - Students today face a variety of academic, personal, and social challenges that can impact their success. Learn from OU professionals who work with students every day as they share insights into emerging student needs, practical strategies for meaningful conversations, and ways to recognize when additional support may be needed. You'll leave with actionable tools to help students build resilience, connect with resources, and thrive throughout their college journey.

Session 2

Crimson Commitment: Paying for College with Confidence - Equip yourself with the knowledge and resources to confidently guide students and families through the financial aid process. This session explores OU's Crimson Commitment program, eligibility requirements, and additional financial planning resources designed to help make a college education more accessible and affordable for Oklahoma students.
Maximizing Credit: Concurrent Enrollment, AP, IB, and more! - Discover how your students can maximize their general education requirements through OU’s Concurrent Enrollment Program. This session will provide an overview of available courses, enrollment options, and the unique benefits of earning college credit in high school. Learn how OU’s program empowers students to gain experience, save money, and explore academic paths, all before high school graduation.

Session 3

Pathways to OU: Transfer Updates & Resources to Support a Successful Transition - Whether students are transferring from a community college or another four-year institution, OU offers multiple pathways to help them achieve their academic goals. Learn about transfer admissions, credit transfer, academic pathways, scholarships, and the resources available to support students throughout their transition. Leave with practical information to confidently guide prospective transfer students on their journey to OU.
Inside the High-Achieving Student Experience: A Student Panel - Go beyond the brochure and hear directly from OU's high-achieving students. During this interactive panel discussion, students will share their experiences with the Honors College, research, scholarships, study abroad, and campus involvement while reflecting on the scholarship, resources, and opportunities that have supported their success. Leave with valuable insights to help students envision what's possible at OU.

Post-Conference Sessions

Campus Tour: This tour will feature a brief look inside the Oklahoma Memorial Football Stadium and other OU campus highlights such as the Oklahoma Memorial Union and Bizzell Memorial Library.
Housing Tour: This tour will focus on the residence hall options for first-year students at OU. We will showcase Cross Village, Couch Center, Dunham Residential College, and the new McCasland and South Hall.
OU Engineering Information Session and Tour with Dean Randa Shehab: Explore what it's like to be an OU Engineering student during an exclusive session with Senior Associate Dean Dr. Randa Shehab, hear directly from current engineering students during a Q&A, and tour the Engineering Quad to see our collaborative spaces first-hand.
I need to leave after lunch: That's okay. We understand! Select this option if your day will need to end after lunch. We will ensure you get back to your vehicle so you can leave campus.

Crimson Summit FAQs

Why should I attend Crimson Summit?

By attending Crimson Summit, you will:

Receive the latest admissions, scholarship, and enrollment updates from OU.
Connect directly with university leadership, faculty, staff, and current students.
Discover resources and opportunities available to support your students.
Strengthen relationships with your OU Admissions Counselor and colleagues from across the region.
Share ideas and best practices with fellow educators and student advocates.
Gain insights that will help students navigate their path to higher education successfully.

What should I expect at Crimson Summit?

Crimson Summit is a full day of connection, learning, and collaboration designed for educational leaders and student advocates. The day begins with welcome remarks from University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. and important admissions and enrollment updates from the Office of Admissions & Recruitment.

Attendees will then customize their experience by selecting from a variety of breakout sessions focused on topics relevant to student success, college access, admissions, and higher education trends. During lunch, guests will have the opportunity to explore the OU Partner Fair, connect with representatives from academic programs and campus resources, network with colleagues from across the region, and participate in interactive experiences and photo opportunities.

The summit concludes with optional post-conference sessions or tours that provide a deeper dive into select topics. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with OU leadership, faculty, staff, current students, and their dedicated OU Admissions Counselor while also discovering new resources and ideas to support the students they serve.

Are there travel accommodations?

Guests traveling from outside Oklahoma or from farther distances within the state are encouraged to contact our team to discuss lodging options. We recognize that travel can be a significant commitment and may be able to provide lodging accommodations or other support based on availability. Our team can be reached directly by email at tour@ou.edu.

If I am not able to attend this year, what do you recommend?

We understand that schedules and commitments may prevent some partners from attending. If you are unable to join us this year, we encourage you to stay connected with your designated OU Admissions Counselor, who can provide important updates, resources, and information shared during Crimson Summit. We value our partnership and look forward to connecting with you at future events and opportunities throughout the year.

Connect with your OU Admissions Counselor

OU tour guide holding a sign that says "Welcome to Crimson Summit!" from Crimson Summit 2025

Attendees of Crimson Summit 2025 holding up a one as they chant the OU Alma Mater

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