Partnering to Impact Grants

This project will support a much-needed summer camp focused on enhancing word learning and communication skills for children, ages 4-7, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The camp, led by OSU’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, will not only provide targeted interventions for children, but also equip parents with tools to support their child’s language development beyond the camp. This initiative addresses the significant gap in available services for children with autism in our community, while promoting inclusivity, increasing visibility for OSU’s clinic and having a meaningful, long-lasting impact. Additionally, it will provide an invaluable training experience for graduate students in speech-language pathology through hands-on practice with children with ASD.

The "Cowgirls on Board: Leadership in Corporate Governance Symposium" is a day-long educational event aimed at empowering and preparing OSU female students for future leadership roles on corporate and nonprofit boards. The symposium will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions and skill-building workshops, all led by successful women in corporate governance, including members of Women for OSU Partners. This event will provide students with the knowledge, confidence and professional network they need to pursue governance roles early in their careers, contributing to the goal of increasing gender diversity in boardrooms.

StillWonder, Inc.’s primary objective is to create an inclusive, engaging learning environment for children by hosting museum-quality pop-up exhibits at The Botanic Garden at OSU and its Horticulture Education Center. In alignment with OSU’s land-grant mission to extend knowledge and enrich lives, StillWonder is partnering with The Botanic Garden at OSU to bring pop-up STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) exhibits to life, promoting education through play in an inclusive, natural setting. Programming will be extended to the broader Stillwater community and neighboring regions, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to engage with STEAM subjects in a meaningful way.

In continuing its mission to inspire and transform lives through artistic excellence, shared creative experiences and impactful learning opportunities, The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts will host a residency with internationally recognized conductor, Marin Alsop. Alsop is a trailblazer in the world of conducting as she is the first and only conductor to receive the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. She founded the groundbreaking music education program, OrchKids, as well as established the Taki Alsop Fellowship, whose mission is to mentor, support and promote women conductors. This week-long residency will include masterclasses and private coaching sessions.

Poverty statistics in Oklahoma paint a stark picture with the vast majority of the state living well below the national poverty average, according to the U.S. Census. The "Poverty Simulations in Oklahoma – Education to Action" initiative will help participants rethink the challenges that millions of low-income individuals must face every day by stepping into the roles of people from 26 different families, each navigating a range of common yet difficult life circumstances. This exercise helps people identify areas of change that can directly impact the effects of poverty on individuals, families and communities.

The Randall and Carol White Reading and Mathematics Center serves students and families in the Stillwater area with in-person tutoring, provides online tutoring to students across the United States and hosts literacy enrichment workshops, however, children in rural areas rarely have access to those experiences. The Literacy Adventures for Children in Rural Communities project is designed to extend literacy enrichment opportunities into Oklahoma’s rural communities through a series of literacy camps that include Story to Stage, Multimodal Publishing and Book Extravaganza. All three camp options are offered at easily accessible sites and feature recently published, award-winning literature that reflects culturally relevant rural experiences. They are designed to foster joy in reading and writing while supporting literacy development.