Southwestern Oklahoma State University
03/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/23/2026 09:59
SWOSU Educator Named 2026 DaVinci Fellow for Teaching Initiative
Robyn Randol, instructor in the Department of Education and Director of the Registered Apprenticeship Program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been selected as a 2026 DaVinci Fellow through the DaVinci Institute's DaVinci Awards program. The DaVinci Fellow award recognizes individuals whose work demonstrates creativity and innovation across fields such as education, technology, business, and community impact.
Randol was recognized for her work helping develop Oklahoma's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway, a new initiative designed to expand entry points into the teaching profession and address teacher shortages across the state. The program creates a route for individuals already working in schools, including paraprofessionals and support staff, to earn a bachelor's degree in education while remaining employed in their districts.
Traditionally, teacher candidates must complete a full-time student teaching semester that often requires them to leave their current employment. The apprenticeship model allows participants to complete clinical experience requirements while continuing to work in the classroom, combining university coursework with structured on-the-job training and mentorship.
"This pathway creates opportunities for people already serving students in schools to become certified teachers while continuing to work," Randol said. "I'm excited to see how it can expand access to the profession and help address Oklahoma's teacher shortage."
The Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway was approved in Oklahoma in November 2025 as part of a statewide effort to create additional pathways into teaching. The initiative is being developed through collaboration between SWOSU, educators Robyn Randol and Marla Pankratz, and Becky Slothower, apprenticeship developer with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, as part of Oklahoma's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship pathway.
The program is currently being piloted with several Oklahoma school districts, including Clinton, Weatherford, El Reno, Mangum, and Darlington, with plans to expand participation as the model develops.
Randol has more than two decades of experience in education and has worked in a variety of roles within Oklahoma schools. Before joining SWOSU in 2021, she served as principal of West Elementary in Weatherford Public Schools and previously taught at multiple grade levels. At SWOSU, she leads the Registered Apprenticeship Program while teaching courses in elementary education and mentoring future educators.
The DaVinci Awards ceremony will be held Friday, March 27, at Oklahoma Innovation Hall in Oklahoma City. The event includes a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. As a DaVinci Fellow, Randol will receive a $1,000 award, a certificate, and the DaVinci Vitruvian Man medallion.
To learn more about the SWOSU Department of Education, visit https://www.swosu.edu/education/. For more details about the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway, contact Robyn Randol at [email protected].
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.
Thinking about becoming a Bulldog?
Choosing the right university comes with plenty of questions about applications, costs, and campus life. At SWOSU, students benefit from strong programs, a supportive community, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. This FAQ highlights answers to some of the questions students most often ask when considering SWOSU.
FAQs
How to apply to SWOSU?Start your application process by visiting SWOSU's admissions page to choose the path that fits you to submit your application!
To learn more, visit the SWOSU Admissions page.
For graduate degrees, you submit your application through the Graduate Application Portal and include transcripts and immunization records. Deadlines vary by program.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Tuition rates for SWOSU vary based on residency status and credit hours. For the most accurate and current tuition information, please refer to the official SWOSU Tuition and Fees page.
SWOSU welcomes transfer students! Requirements depend on hours completed: if under 24 hours, submit an application, test scores, and transcripts. For more than 24 hours, submit your application, transcript(s), and immunization records. A GPA of 1.7 is required for up to 30 hours; 2.0 is required beyond that.
To learn more, visit the Transfer Students page.
SWOSU offers a range of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These can come from academic departments, foundations, or federal and state resources.
To learn more, visit the Scholarships & Grants page.
SWOSU's "In-State + $1 Tuition Program" allows non-resident (including transfer and international) students to pay the in-state tuition rate plus $1 per credit hour. No extra application is needed. Savings can exceed $3,450 per semester (based on 15 credit hours).
Note: This rate applies to tuition only, not fees, housing, meal plan, or books. To learn more, visit the In-State + $1 Tuition page.
Yes! SWOSU offers graduate programs in areas such as Education, Business, Nursing, Allied Health, and more.
To learn more, visit the Graduate School Admissions page.
Yes! SWOSU offers online courses and degree options across undergraduate and graduate levels to give students flexibility with their schedules.
To learn more, visit our SWOSU Online page.
On-campus housing includes traditional residence halls and apartment-style living. These options offer amenities like meal plans, laundry, and social spaces.
To learn more, visit our Residential Life page.
SWOSU hosts more than 80 student clubs and organizations-ranging from Chemistry Club, Scuba Club, Gaming Club, Honors Associations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, to Faith-based, academic, and recreational groups.
To learn more, visit the Student Organizations page.
SWOSU offers services including academic advising, tutoring, writing support, health and counseling services, financial aid assistance, residence life, library, and more.
To learn more, visit the Student Services page.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University published this content on March 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 23, 2026 at 15:59 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]