Stringer named top Oklahoma speech coach

Katie Stringer, an instructor in Cameron University's Department of Communication, English and Foreign Languages, has again been named Outstanding Coach of the Year by the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Forensics Association (OIFA).

This marks the second consecutive year - and three of the four years that the award has been in existence - that she has received the honor.

"This award means more than people could realize," Stringer said. "The students of Oklahoma - not just my own team but several of the teams have helped - shaped who I am and have given me new insight to the world. It has been an honor to call myself a coach for Cameron and Oklahoma."

Stringer, who is the director of Cameron's forensics program, was also elected president of the OIFA for the 2026-2027 academic year. Emily Gerston, an adjunct instructor in the CU Department of Communications, English and Foreign Languages, was elected vice-president of the statewide organization.

Stringer joined the CU faculty in Fall 2019. Under her tutelage, CU's speech and debate team was named Oklahoma State Champion in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Additionally, she has coached members of her team to numerous individual titles at local, regional and state tournaments.

The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Forensics Association oversees all of college speech and debate events in the state, providing a forum for academic competition and networking.

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