Travis Hurst Named Eighth President of Rose State College Published April 17, 2025

The Rose State College Board of Regents is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Travis Hurst as Rose State’s eighth president. A dedicated educator and visionary leader, Hurst brings over a decade of experience at Rose State College and a proven track record of innovation, student-centered leadership, and strategic growth. He will officially assume the presidency on July 1, 2025.

Hurst will succeed Dr. Jeanie Webb, who is retiring after 12 years of distinguished leadership. Under her tenure, Rose State experienced transformative growth and continued to expand its role as a leading institution in the state and region.

“It has been the honor of my career to serve as President of Rose State College, and I could not be more confident in the future of Rose State with Travis Hurst at the helm,” said Dr. Jeanie Webb. “Travis is a visionary leader who understands the heart of Rose State—our students, our mission, and our community. His deep commitment to innovation and academic excellence, combined with his years of dedicated service to the College, make him the ideal choice to lead Rose State into its next chapter.”

Currently serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Hurst leads the College’s largest division, which includes five academic divisions, more than 350 faculty and staff, and over half of the College’s operating budget. Since joining Rose State in 2013 as Academic Technology Coordinator, he has advanced through key leadership positions, including Dean of eLearning and Academic Outreach and Associate Vice President.

Hurst has been instrumental in launching several groundbreaking academic programs, including:

• Oklahoma’s first associate degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• A new Data Science and Analytics pathway
• The state’s first community college Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in Cybersecurity

He also played a key role in aligning academic programming with workforce and industry needs by integrating Workforce Development and the Center for Workforce Excellence into Academic Affairs. His efforts have helped position Rose State as a regional leader in workforce education, particularly in nursing, aerospace, and cybersecurity.

“Mr. Hurst excelled during the robust, merit-based national search,” said Regent Brandon Clabes, Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee. “He competed against more than 50 applicants to earn the top spot at Rose State. His innovation, commitment to students, experience in K–12 and workforce education, curriculum development, and deep understanding of Oklahoma made him the clear choice.”

Before his time at Rose State, Hurst served as a Science Content Specialist for Edmond Public Schools, where he also coached basketball and baseball. He holds a Master of Science from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University, and is currently completing his doctoral degree in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership with research focused on improving online learning for students with disabilities.

Hurst is married to Dr. Amy Hurst, Biological Sciences Coordinator at Rose State, and together they are the proud parents of Tanner and Logan, both alumni of Rose State College.

The Board of Regents would like to thank the entire Rose State College community for its active participation in the presidential search process. Feedback from campus forums was reviewed carefully and played a key role in informing the final decision. The Board also extends its deepest appreciation to the Presidential Search Committee for its time, dedication, and thoughtful work on behalf of the College.

If you have any questions regarding the search process, please reach out to our ACCT Search Consultant: Dr. Sandy Caldwell, ACCT Search Consultant, at sjcaldwellok@gmail.com or (307) 389-4193.