Tulsa

 

The first Orange Pride Award recipient of the year might not love the spotlight, but she’s loved by students and staff alike. Student accessibility coordinator Chantele Ward’s hard work and love for students has earned her the OSU-Tulsa Orange Pride Award for Employee Excellence – but what else do you know about Chantele?

 

1: She is here to help students

 

As the coordinator for OSU-Tulsa Student Accessibility Services, Chantele’s job is connect students with help and accommodations for their disability or diagnosis.

 

“Seeing the smiles on students faces when they get what they need, that’s one of my favorite parts of the job,” she said.

 

Chantele is always happy to see a student get accommodations for their needs and encourages students to reach out if they think they might need help.

 

“I’ve had students that will come in during their last year and they’ll say, ‘I’ve been struggling, I didn’t know you were here,’” Chantele said. “It makes me sad to hear that. I hate that they had to struggle – so I try, as much as I can, to put the information out there so students know we’re here to help.”

 

2: She loves working in education

 

Chantele has worked at OSU-Tulsa since 2018 and has worked in similar positions at Tulsa Community College and at elementary schools.

 

“I like working with students, and I love helping and serving, so I happened to find myself in education.”

 

Chantele started as an attendance clerk for an elementary school and has since worked in roles ranging from social work to library staff.

 

In her current position, she knows she’s changing lives – though she might not describe it that way.

 

“I just had a student the other day contact me and tell me I’m a ‘godsend,’” she said. “That made me feel like I’m doing something good.”

 

3: OSU orange runs in the family

 

Chantele isn’t the only Ward on staff at OSU-Tulsa.

 

Her daughter, Haven Ward, works in Scholarships and Financial Aid as a financial aid counselor. Though their work responsibilities rarely cross over, Chantele is thrilled to work on the same campus as Haven.

 

“It’s great seeing her, spending time with her throughout the day, meeting up with her for lunch. It’s awesome. I’m glad to see her shine and move ahead,” Chantele said.

 

OSU education is part of the family, with one of her four children earning an OSU degree and another currently pursuing one. Chantele may have earned her master’s degree elsewhere, but her undergrad degree – and her heart – are both OSU orange.

 

“We’re a Cowboy family for sure.”

 

4: She loves to read (and write)

 

Like many great introverts, in her spare time, Chantele can be found buried in a good book – whether she’s reading one or writing one.

 

“I love reading, I love writing! Fiction, suspense, drama…” Chantele said.

 

When it comes to writing, the genres are the same.

 

“Nothing has come of it, but I like doing it.”

 

5: She doesn’t love being the center of attention

 

When her Orange Pride award was announced at this month’s First Friday event, Chantele was stunned. Despite the light-hearted chants of “speech, speech, speech!” in the crowd, Chantele was lost for words.

 

“It totally caught me off guard,” she said.

 

“I do not like being in the spotlight – I kind of like being in the background. So I didn’t give a speech. Just said ‘thank you,’” she said with a laugh.

 

But don’t mistake her avoidance of the spotlight for a lack of appreciation.

 

“I was so happy to receive the award – but I was shocked and surprised,” she said. “It feels good to be acknowledged for what you do.”

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To recommend an OSU-Tulsa staff member for the Orange Pride award, complete a nomination form. Orange Pride recipients are selected quarterly and receive a framed certificate and $100.