NSU awarded over $19M in grant funding for FY2024

NSU tops record setting year in grant funding for fiscal year 2024

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University received over $19 million in grants during the 2024 fiscal year, a historic milestone in the institution’s commitment to enhancing education and community service.

The institution has seen significant growth in the procurement of grant funding which directly benefits the students and community.

“This record-setting grant funding reflects our dedication to fostering educational excellence and community engagement,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “These grants provide invaluable resources to not only our students but also support vital community initiatives, create jobs in the local areas, enhance faculty research opportunities and ensure that NSU continues to impact higher education.”

Some of the notable projects funded by these grants include:

NASNTI Project – Bacone House ($1.7M)

This grant supports classroom and facility renovations, including $995,000 for restoring the historic Bacone House, along with faculty development, curriculum enhancement and shared use of facilities.

NASNTI Student Engagement ($4M)

In partnership with Tulsa Community College, this grant aims to improve enrollment, retention, graduation and transfer rates for Native American and low-income students. The grant includes the hiring of Student Engagement Transfer Coordinators at NSU and a pre-collegiate outreach program at TCC.

Google Cybersecurity Clinic ($1M)

The new NSU Cybersecurity Clinic will allow NSU students to learn cybersecurity and AI skills in an effective, hands-on manner while simultaneously helping to protect vulnerable organizations and critical infrastructure, such as local small businesses, hospitals, schools and energy grids, from cyber-attacks.

Agriculture Conservation Knowledge through Place-Based Education ($258,978)

This partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service and NSU promotes conservation careers and leadership skills among students in historically underserved areas while fostering dialogue between farmers and conservationists.

“NSU has always actively sought ways to enhance services through partnerships, and grants this year have helped do just that,” Dr. Jessica Secratt, director of research and sponsored programs, said. “Through recent partnerships with other universities in Oklahoma and various organizations, NSU has been able to create more student jobs, offer more outreach and services to the community, and offer scholarships and paid internship training.”

Secratt said in 2024, NSU created more than 70 jobs through grant programs, many of which were student positions. Students are also able to benefit from grants received through scholarships, paid internships, renovation activities such as a new Student Engagement space, and supplies in the classrooms.

“This year, grants provided over $1 million in scholarship aid to students seeking a variety of careers,” Secratt said. “Some grant funds this past year have also been used in Rowdy’s Resource Rooms which assist students in times of need with nonperishable food, gently used clothing and office/school supplies.”

To learn more about programs and opportunities at NSU, visit nsuok.edu.

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