President Hale reflects on first year leading USAO; looks to the future
As President Kayla Hale concludes her first year at the helm of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, she reflects on the collective progress made, the challenges overcome, and goals for the future. Her leadership has been marked by a deep respect for the university community and a strong commitment to fostering growth through collaboration.
Upon taking office, Hale prioritized engaging with the university community, regularly meeting with faculty, staff and students to understand the institution’s needs.
“My first focus was to listen in order to understand,” Hale stated. “I needed to get to know the people of USAO and get a lay of the land. I have so much appreciation for the work that had been done by so many people prior to my arrival, and I didn’t want to assume what needed to be done.”
One of the most significant challenges Hale tackled was modernizing outdated systems.
“We faced the daunting task of updating systems that hadn’t changed since my days as a student here,” she said. “Updating systems and policies has been a particularly heavy lift, but our dedicated staff have been instrumental in leading this transition into the future.”
Despite these challenges, Hale is proud of several key accomplishments achieved through collaborative efforts.
“We’re particularly proud of reintroducing the computer science degree, thanks to the incredible leadership of Dean [Rachel] Jones of the School of Science & Physical Education,” Hale noted. “This program equips students with both technical skills and a broad liberal arts education, preparing them for success in a rapidly evolving field.”
USAO has expanded its partnerships with Redlands Community College to provide greater career readiness support, increase the number of graduates with associate and bachelor's degrees, and grow the teacher pipeline. Additionally, a new partnership with Oklahoma City Community College was established, combining OCCC's reach with USAO's specialized liberal arts curriculum to create seamless pathways from associate to bachelor’s degrees.
Financially, USAO exceeded its annual fundraising goal, raising a record-breaking $2,266,165, and saw a 310 percent increase in grant funding.
Looking forward, Hale’s priorities include developing the next strategic plan, expanding revenue streams, and investing in campus infrastructure.
“We’ve already begun laying the groundwork for the next strategic plan, which will launch in July 2025,” she said. “This plan will be a collaborative effort, with input from faculty, staff, and students to ensure all voices are heard.”
Another key focus will be expanding student housing.
“Getting Willard Hall back online is a top priority,” Hale stated. “Investing in our campus infrastructure, including classroom technology and network systems, is essential for providing the best possible experience for our community.”
As the new school year approaches, Hale offered words of encouragement: “Get engaged. Make one new friend every day. Just go to class. The experiences you have on this campus will fundamentally shape your life once you leave here.”
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.