Read more about the achievements of Tulsa Tech graduates, students, faculty and staff.
When Karem Alkhatib enrolled in Tulsa Tech’s Eye Care Optometry Assistant program as a senior at Union High School, he wasn’t sure exactly where his future would lead. He knew he was interested in the medical field, but it took one unexpected discovery to help him find his passion.
Sixty years is a long time, and the world has changed a lot. From landing on the moon to smartphones and now the dawn of artificial intelligence, the world looks a lot different than it did in 1967. But for Sharon Pearson, one thing hasn't changed at all, the pride she has for the training she received at Tulsa Tech.
In an emergency, the difference between life and death often comes down to who's in the room. For Medical Assisting Instructor Kaydee Clark, that difference was 20 years of healthcare experience and a gut feeling she couldn't ignore.
Climbing into the cab of a big rig is a huge step up, the average truck sits nearly five feet off the ground. But more than the physical is the mental side of driving such a big vehicle, which means keeping an eye on everyone else and trying to anticipate what might happen.
At 39, Joey Thames made a decision that would change everything.
Joey credits his success to the structure and support he found during his training at Tulsa Tech. From realistic simulations in the lab to instructors who emphasized both textbook knowledge and real-world application, he felt prepared from day one.
At 62, David Price still finds joy in getting his hands dirty, only now, he’s using that passion to shape the next generation of skilled workers.
Tulsa Tech’s impact is not a distant promise. It is already being realized in the workforce.
When Kaitlyn Criss walked into her first Tulsa Tech photography class as a high school junior, she didn’t see a future career taking shape. She saw an opportunity to learn something new.
At 30 years old, Blinija Lark knew it was time for a change. A mother of two, she wanted a career that offered stability, growth and a future she could build with her own hands. Welding, once a short chapter in her past, became the path forward and now she is a welder for Valmont Industries, Inc.
Tulsa Tech’s Practical Nursing program is growing, and the impact is easy to see. With expanded cohorts, a new January start date and the creation of a bridge program, the school now welcomes 140 future nurses each year, nearly double the previous number of students they were able to serve. The goal is simple: open more doors for students and help meet the region’s long-standing need for qualified nurses.