Vendors for Transition Fair 2026
NSU Riverhawks- Tahlequah, OK NSU is a 4-year university that also has the Riverhawk Scholar Program which is a 4-year inclusive certificate program for students with IDD. Contact- Justin Chase Chase04@nsuok.edu
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology- OSUIT is a leader in workforce and economic development for the state of Oklahoma. By providing customized industry training, certificate programs, adult and continuing education, and employability skills, we are creating career pathways that help to bridge our nation’s skills gap. Most of our students graduate debt-free, with job offers in hand. Contact Rusty Hill rusty.hill@okstate.edu Nickolaus Lee Nickolaus.lee@okstate.udu
Oklahoma State University- Ranked #1 in Best Value and Best Academics in Oklahoma. Four-year public research university with over 300 majors and minors. Contact- Jenny Thoma osujenny@okstate.edu
Rogers State University- Claremore, OK (RSU)- 4-year university offering bachelor’s degrees and associate degrees with small class sizes, attentive professors, and hands-on learning. TRIO Program. Contact- Tai Blevins Tblevins@rsu.edu recruitment@rsu.edu Joshua Brown jbrown@rsu.edu
Tulsa Community College (TCC)- TCC offers two- and four-year degree programs. Tulsa Achieves Scholarships and Dual Enrollment. They also have a Practical Living Class, which covers 6 topics: reading, writing, creative thinking, social and college campus skills, hands-on science, money math. Contact- Brian Quiles brian.quiles@tulsacc.edu
University of Tulsa- 4-year university offering small class sizes, success coaches, attentive professors, and Pathfinders Program (extra support for neurodiverse students). Contact Jenni Rowe and Holden Trainer holden-trainer@utulsa.edu
University of Central Oklahoma- UCO located in Edmond. Oklahoma’s 3rd largest metropolitan university, with student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. UCO prepares future leaders to positively impact local, state, and global communities. Contact- Neely McGee Nmcgee2@uco.edu
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma- Chickasha, OK. Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity will assist students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the transition to college life and help ensure postsecondary success. Focuses on self-advocacy, independent living skills, strong academic and social skills. Contact- Riley Merrill rmerrill@usao.edu Lwegener@usao.edu
Wichita State University- 4-year small university that offers in-state tuition for 19 northeast counties in Oklahoma. Offers many Freshman Merit Awards based off GPA only or GPA and ACT scores. Contact Abby Allen abby.allen@wichita.edu
OK Inclusive Post Secondary Education Alliance (OKIPSE)- They help to develop a path to reach your goals. Learn about what you like and be more independent. Try out different jobs. Learn to speak up for yourself. They work with NSU Riverhawk Scholar Program in Tahlequah, OSU Opportunity Orange Scholars in Stillwater, OU Sooner Works in Norman, Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity in Chickasha. Contact- Julie Lackey (She is a great contact for lots of resource information) Julie@okipsealliance.org
Tulsa Tech- Tech is the largest technology center in OK’s CareerTech System. They offer classes in automotive, health science technology, welding, computer repair, carpentry, and many other unique opportunities. Tech is dedicated to empowering students with disabilities to become successful in the workplace. Contact- Jan Bell Jan.bell@tulsatech.edu
Project Search- Project Search which is a partnership with Tulsa Tech, Saint Francis Hospital, DRS, and OU Outreach. This is an on-the-job training program. Contact- Susette Tucker and Chelsi Singleton (Instructors)
CERT Culinary- hospitality program for students to learn how to work as culinary assistants. Located on the Owasso Campus. Elena Morales-Director (An amazing director who works hard with all our students and their accommodations at Tulsa Tech) elena.morales@tulsastech.edu
DRS- BEST STEP summer program, Work-study, transition support. The Transition Program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time. Contact- Natasha Howell Natasha.howell@okdrs.gov
Bridges- Jenks, OK a place for loved ones with developmental disabilities to gain vocational training, grow life-skills, and increase independence. Through on-the-job mentorship, students will have an advocate helping when applying for jobs. Help students develop daily living skills, social skills, self-advocacy, vocational skills training, career exploration, early work experience, and on the job feedback and instruction. Contact- Nikki Jolly and Kristen Freimuth (Work-Based Learning) Njolly@thebridgesfound.org Kfreimuth@thebridgesfound.org
A New Leaf- Owasso, OK Empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism for a brighter future. Offering: The Village at A New Leaf, Autism Works, Transition Academy (a two-year comprehensive college-style program), Residential Programs, Vocational Programs, and Behavior Support Programs. Contact- Jessica Heimdale Jessica.heimdale@anewleaf.org Sam Hawk sam.hawk@anewleaf.org
Blessing to Share-Tulsa, OK C.A.R.E.S program- Care, Advocate, Resource, Empower, Support. Teaches social, behavioral, communication, and life skills with the support of a coach. For students 17 and older. Program is Monday-Friday 1-4pm and Thursday’s nights 6-8 pm. Great way for students to stay connected after high school. This is a must-see program! It offers a lot for our graduating seniors. Contact- Mollie Mills Mmills@blessingstoshare.org
Pathways Adult Learning Center- Tulsa, OK After high school, options are limited for adults with learning differences. Individuals are often isolated. This can cause social and academic regression for all members of this population. Pathways provides a safe place where these adults can continue to grow, build lasting friendships, and give back to their community. Pathways is a place where students get to experience life to the fullest! Contact Emily Gotcher Egotcher@pathwaysok.org
RISE Staffing- Rise Staffing is a dual provider agency. We support the DDS and DRS contracts. We have a Transition program where we offer a variety of services to high school students that have applied to DRS with the goal to prepare for, enter into, and retain employment with the assistance of our Employment Consultant's and Job Coaches. We also have The Hidden Workforce. A radio show about the positive impact people with different abilities bring to the workplace. Contact- Chris Miller Chris@risestaffing.net
CREOKS- Health Services- Information about Mental and Behavioral assistance serving a strong population of Neurodivergent children and adults in their clinics. Contact-Molly Ziriax Molly.ziriax@creoks.org
Oklahoma Autism Network- A center of excellence committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families through research, education, and service while respecting individual preferences and promoting community inclusion. Contact Michele DeBerry Michele-DeBerry@ou.edu
The Oklahoma Family Network- Increase the capacity of Oklahoma families to access community-based resource information and services to ensure children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and their families have the support they need to obtain services and have a way to pay for them. Contact Erin Parks www.oklahomafamilynetwork.org erin-parks@oklahomafamilynetwork.org
Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology- provides a well-rounded education in cosmetology, esthetics, and master instructor programs at their beauty school in Tulsa. Contact Melissa Walker Melissaa@tulsa.paulmitchell.edu
Special Strong Adaptive & Inclusive Fitness- One of the only fitness centers in the world that provides adaptive fitness for people with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Located in South Tulsa. Contact Suzanne Beckner southtulsaok@specialstrong.com
OK Job Connection- is an organization in Oklahoma that connects individuals with disabilities to meaningful employment, operating un a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). Matches students with local businesses in Tulsa and surrounding areas. Contact; Richard Fraley raafraley@okjobconnection.com
Sooner Success- The purpose of Sooner SUCCESS is to promote a comprehensive, coordinated system of health, social and educational services for Oklahoma children and youth with special needs...in their Community. Sooner SUCCESS addresses barriers by promoting community capacity and infrastructure spread in communities and at regional and state levels. Contact- Beth Soderfelt Elizabeth-soderfelt@ouhsc.edu (Will not be here but Julie Lackey will have information to share)
Legal Advocate with Disability Rights of Oklahoma- Offers guidance, negotiation, and legal representation in administrative hearings or court for disability-related issues. Contact- Jessica Claxton Jessica@drok.org
