Professional development and networking for Oklahoma’s higher education communicators
The Oklahoma College Public Relations Association provides professional development and networking opportunities for new and seasoned communications professionals from public and private institutions of all sizes. From two-year colleges to four-year regional universities to R1 research institutions — and everything in between — we honor the creative imaginations of our member institutions in their marketing, communications and public relations efforts.
Our organization has evolved and grown with the communications field. Our members include public relations professionals, writers, designers, photographers, videographers, web developers, social media managers, development officers, event coordinators, managers and administrators.
We help communicators connect with professionals in similar roles at other institutions, share best practices for bringing the latest communications trends to higher education and recognize excellence by teams whose contributions are sometimes overlooked.
OCPRA holds three main programs each year: a two-day summer conference, a professional awards competition for all Oklahoma higher education communicators and a half-day fall workshop.
Conference and workshop news
OCPRA Fall Workshop
AI to ROI: Insights from Oklahoma higher ed communicators
Nov. 20, 2024 - Rose State College
OCPRA Annual Conference
July 2025
Details and location information coming soon.
Call for speakers
The annual conference and fall workshop are ideal places to share your successes and gain valuable presenting experience. We’re always looking for breakout session and micro-session presenters and have a preference for speakers from our fellow higher education institutions, no matter your role or the size of your department.
Whether it’s your take on latest trends, a case study on how your team made an award-winning entry happen or career advancement advice, we want to keep our finger on the pulse of what’s important to our attendees.
Submit your ideas using the button below.
2023 OCPRA Award Recipients
Awards are presented annually at the OCPRA Fall Workshop. Nominate a colleague for the Natalea Watkins Communicator of the Year or Randy Talley Rising Star awards.
2023 Natalea Watkins Communicator of the Year award recipient Trish McBeath, Vice President of Student & External Affairs at Eastern Oklahoma State College, with 2022 honoree Amy Goddard and 2021 honoree Keith Mitchell.
2023 Randy Talley Rising Star
award recipient Brooks Nickell, Web & Multimedia Coordinator at Seminole State College with Randy Talley, award namesake and former OCPRA Board Member.