Oklahoma higher ed officials to expand summer academy program

“That's an easy thing to say, but it's not an easy thing to accomplish,” Horn said.

Gov. Mary Fallin has called for an additional 20,400 degrees and certificates awarded in Oklahoma over the next 12 years. That goal is a part of Complete College America, a nationwide initiative designed to boost college completion.

That initiative focuses particularly on areas related to science, technology, engineering and math. State officials have called for a greater emphasis on science and technology both in K-12 and higher education.

Officials have predicted a large percentage of the jobs the state will create in the years to come will be in fields such as aerospace, information technology and oil and natural gas — all of which require a background in areas related to science and technology.