staff stories

It’s a rare moment if you run into Jessica Bradley and she isn’t sporting something orange.

Hardly surprising, since Bradley is not only a proud OSU alumna but also recently marked her 10th year as an OSU employee.

Sheena Perez probably knows more about the historic Route 66 than anyone on campus.

As digital services librarian for the OSU-Tulsa Library, she maintains the university’s archival collections related to Cyrus Avery, known as the ‘Father of Route 66,’ and Michael Wallis, historian and author of Route 66: The Mother Road.

It was only recently that Oklahoma State University-Tulsa assistant professor of aviation Dr. Mallory Casebolt uncovered a deep connection to aerospace right in her own family tree.

It’s not really a surprise that Pam Jackson ended up working in a police department.

Her dad, now retired, was a state trooper. Her husband, recently promoted to commander, is a police officer with the Jenks Police Department.

“I guess you could say I come from a police family,” she said. “I kind of gravitated toward it.”

As the first member of her Mexican family born in the U.S., Dr. Claudia Maldonado-Otto knows what it is to be considered outside the norm.

As a high-school dropout who started college at age 30 and now has bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Kathy Williams has an edge when it comes to recruiting students to OSU-Tulsa.

“I can relate to nontraditional students because I was one,” she said. “I know how important education is. It’s something nobody can ever take from you.”

Melanie McClain, who leads OSU-Tulsa's community outreach efforts, was selected to join the second cohort of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Inclusive Leadership training class.

The four-month program provides professionals the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and tools to become more inclusive leaders.

Michelle Boyd drives 1½ hours from Checotah to Tulsa every morning for what she considers an honor – to work at OSU-Tulsa.

“It’s worth the drive,” she said. “I love the people here. It’s a fun place to work.”

Boyd is the latest recipient of the Orange Pride Award for Employee Excellence. The award recognizes employees who have demonstrated outstanding customer service skills and who go above and beyond their normal job duties.