Senate Education Committee confirms six higher-education and arts appointees, including new Tulsa and Ponca City trustees

The Oklahoma Senate Education Committee on Thursday confirmed six gubernatorial nominees to regional college boards and the Oklahoma Arts Council after brief presentations and limited questions.

The committee approved nominations for Andrew (Drew) Eubank to the Board of Regents for Northern Oklahoma College; Kevin Gross to the Board of Regents for Tulsa Community College; Michael Willis to the Board of Trustees for Oklahoma State University–Tulsa; Mandy Hinkle to the Board of Regents for Oklahoma City Community College; Rick Scott to the Board of Trustees of the University Center at Ponca City; and Carrie Leonard to the Oklahoma Arts Council. All nominations passed on voice or roll-call votes with no recorded nays; tallies ranged from 10–0 to 11–0 depending on the item.

The confirmations consisted of short introducers from senators, brief remarks by each nominee about their experience and motivation to serve, and limited committee questioning in two cases. The nominees emphasized workforce and community access to higher education, institutional growth and service to students and the arts community.

Andrew “Drew” Eubank, nominated to the Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents and presented by Senator Josh Petersen, described his interest as rooted in K–12 and local governance: “My passion is kids. We at my law firm, we always give back to kids,” Eubank said, noting his service on the Chisholm School Board and his local law practice. Senator Reid asked why Eubank considered Northern Oklahoma College important; Eubank answered that NOC provides students options close to home and smaller-class instruction for those who cannot attend larger universities.

Kevin Gross, nominated to the Tulsa Community College (TCC) Board of Regents and introduced by Senator Rader, identified his experience as CEO of Hillcrest Health System and tied it to workforce issues: “We employ a lot of students from TCC,” Gross said, adding that he would work to ensure efficient and transparent use of resources and to support program growth. Senator Sarah Hicks questioned Gross about opportunities to grow TCC’s programs and enrollment; Gross cited Tulsa Achieves, a tuition-free program for Tulsa County residents, as a key community asset.

Michael Willis, nominated to the OSU–Tulsa Board of Trustees and presented by Senator Rader, described a family background in education and long ties to Tulsa. Willis noted OSU–Tulsa serves more than 3,000 students and provides local access to Oklahoma State degrees.

Mandy Hinkle, nominated to the Board of Regents for Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) and presented by Senator Weaver, told the committee she has served on OCCC’s board for about three years and credited the college’s recent growth and recognition to new leadership.

Rick Scott, nominated to the University Center at Ponca City board and presented by Senator Coleman, described his prior appointment to the board and credited recent leadership for an enrollment increase: “Since he has started he has increased enrollment by about 10 to 20%,” Scott said of the center’s new president.

Carrie Leonard, nominated to the Oklahoma Arts Council and presented by Senator Hynes, summarized two years of service on the council and cited work with ARPA-funded arts projects, rural and urban arts conferences, and public arts initiatives.

Votes at a glance

- Andrew (Drew) Eubank — Nomination to Board of Regents, Northern Oklahoma College. Motion: do pass (mover: Senator Petersen; second: Senator Seifried). Vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: approved.

- Kevin Gross — Nomination to Board of Regents, Tulsa Community College. Motion: do pass (mover: Senator Dossett; second: Senator Seifried). Vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: approved.

- Michael Willis — Nomination to Board of Trustees, Oklahoma State University–Tulsa. Motion: do pass (mover: Senator Nalced; second: Senator Petersen). Vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: approved.

- Mandy Hinkle — Nomination to Board of Regents, Oklahoma City Community College. Motion: do pass (mover: Senator Mann; second: Senator Saccieri). Vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: approved.

- Rick Scott — Nomination to Board of Trustees, University Center at Ponca City. Motion: presented by Senator Coleman (mover/second not specified in record). Vote: 10 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: approved.

- Carrie Leonard — Nomination to Oklahoma Arts Council. Motion: do pass (mover: Senator Seifried; second: Chair). Vote: 11 ayes, 0 nays (Senator Peterson recorded a “No” on this roll call earlier in the sequence; final committee announcement recorded 11–0). Outcome: approved.

Background and context

Committee members repeatedly framed the nominations as civic service and stressed the nominees’ local ties and professional backgrounds. Several presenters noted the nominees’ community connections and past service; nominees emphasized workforce needs, local access to degree programs and support for institutional growth. Two nominees drew brief committee questions: Eubank on the role of Northern Oklahoma College for local students, and Gross on program-expansion and enrollment strategies at TCC.

What the committee did not do

The committee took no action beyond confirmation votes; there were no proposed policy changes, funding decisions or charges to staff recorded during these items. No committee amendments or continuing reporting requirements were attached to the confirmations in the hearing record.

Next steps

Each nomination, having passed committee, moves on per the Senate’s confirmation process (further scheduling or full-Senate action was not specified in the hearing record).