The University of Oklahoma Outreach has been awarded an almost $80 million contract by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide top-notch training services to its employees. According to OU President Jospeh Harroz, Jr., “This significant achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, and it highlights our unwavering commitment to workforce development and lifelong learning.” This contract bid was led and developed by Dr. Biscoe.

Dr. Biscoe extends a special thanks to Julie Tate, the recently retired director of the Office of Contract Administration, whose invaluable insights and guidance were crucial throughout the bidding process. Additionally, she also wants to thank Ruthie Betts, Director of the College of Continuing Education Business and Accounting Operations, who played a pivotal role in shaping the budget in our bid, leveraging her exceptional expertise in business and financial management. We were also fortunate to have Misty Rhodes, a previous director of the contract, serving as a consultant to our team. Her experience and knowledge were also instrumental in our success.

The proposal from the OU team, which included leaders from both the Norman campus and OU Health Sciences, was recognized as the top technical proposal received by the USPS. This recognition speaks volumes about the university's expertise and dedication to lifelong learning.

Dr. Biscoe is also delighted to announce that we have hired Ms. Ronda Ita to lead and manage this substantial contract. With her extensive background in educational administration and oil and gas management, Ms. Ita brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering learning environments. Her leadership will be invaluable as we embark on this transformative journey.

We have onboarded over 100 new employees from the National Center for Employee Development (NCED), many of whom are former postal workers or military personnel. These new team members will be instrumental in delivering training to USPS managers and supervisors, mail handlers and carriers, clerks, maintenance workers, and customer service representatives.

“I am immensely proud to embark on this transformative initiative with the United States Postal Service,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “At the University of Oklahoma, we understand the vital role workforce development plays in driving innovation and efficiency. This project underscores our commitment to empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving workplace.”

Dr. Biscoe emphasized the college’s commitment to ongoing education: “At the College of Continuing Education, we truly believe that education is a lifelong learning process that allows individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals. Throughout this project, we will help reskill, upskill, and train postal employees from across the United States. We will be focusing on leadership development, operational efficiency, and reducing the potential for errors or accidents.”

We are committed to delivering measurable results and making a positive impact on the USPS and its employees. This partnership is a shining example of how we can drive innovation and efficiency through education.

Stay tuned for more updates in our future newsletters as we make strides in this transformative project.