By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. Gov., college officials push degree program
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) A plan to increase the number of Oklahomans with college degrees is being promoted by Gov. Mary Fallin and the state's higher education officials.
State colleges and universities currently award 30,500 degrees a year. The governor's new initiative would increase that number 67 percent by 2023 when colleges and universities would award 50,900 college degrees.
Speaking at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Thursday, Fallin said her top priority as governor is to create a business environment that promotes economic growth and jobs. She says that having a highly skilled, college-educated workforce is essential to attracting and retaining good jobs and investment.
Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson says Oklahoma colleges and universities are committed to accomplishing the degree goal and have made it their top priority in 2012.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.