DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) recently celebrated their annual Faculty/Staff Co-Op Luncheon as the mutually beneficial Co-Op program enters its fourth year.
The Co-Op program is a highly competitive program for outstanding Southeastern students to gain educational and career experience by working for the Choctaw Nation. The program began in 2019 with the IT Operations department at the Choctaw Nation and has continually expanded to include other departments at CNO.
“It is wonderful to see how much this program has grown over the past four years, and we are grateful for our strong partnership with the Choctaw Nation,” said Stephanie Davison, Director of the Career Management Center at Southeastern. “The Co-Op program is a transformational experience for our Southeastern students and continues to be one of the most prestigious programs to apply for.
“There are many tangible benefits for the students in terms of building a professional network of contacts, real world experience, increased professional responsibility, and the ability to explore multiple career paths. Working with these students and seeing them succeed and be proud of their accomplishments is so rewarding.”
Throughout the course of the program, seventeen Southeastern students from various degree programs have participated in the Co-Op program, with eight former Co-Op participants now employed full-time by the Choctaw Nation.
“Being a small part of the Co-Op program is what I will always be most proud of in my career,” said Carissa Reeves, Manager of IT Operations and the Co-Op program at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. “The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and myself are continuously enriched by these students and the piece they’re playing in our success.”
The program is available for application for Southeastern juniors and seniors, with the process beginning for the fall semester and successful candidates’ employment with CNO beginning in January 2024.
The Co-Op program is led on the Southeastern campus by Stephanie Davison, Director of the Career Management Center. Students can contact careers@se.edu for information on the Co-Op program, as well as other career development opportunities.
