Becky Heeney has a passion for supporting others in achieving their life goals. Chasing this dream led to the creation of multiple centers at the University of Oklahoma with the mission of helping students navigate to degree completion, including the newly created office of Graduation and Persistence Support. Along with a network of success services professionals across campus, Becky has been a part of a cultural shift at OU focused on putting students at the center of policy-making and academic processes.
In the fall of 2004, Becky created OU’s Graduation Office (G-O). While directing the G-O team, Becky laid the foundation for a variety of student success programs, including Sooner Success Graduation Coaching, Compass Network, Class Experiences and MoneyCoaching. During her tenure as director of the Graduation Office, the University of Oklahoma experienced its highest ever first-year retention rates and saw 14.3 percent increase in four-year graduation rates.
Becky started her career at the University of Oklahoma in 1988 in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and shortly after was asked to coordinate special projects for the University’s Centennial Celebration. As the Centennial concluded, Becky assumed responsibility to produce the University’s Commencement exercises and established the Office of Special Events in the Division of Public Affairs. She had the honor of producing 30 Commencement ceremonies for OU.
Following an appointment as Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs in 2001 to 2003, Becky stepped down to pursue her graduate studies. Becky earned her Master of Education degree in Adult and Higher Education in December 2006. She credits her research and studies while pursuing her master’s for helping her identify gaps in student success services at OU at the time leading to new approaches university wide.
Becky and her husband, Neil are the proud parents of two sons - Christian and Braden.
