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When young adults have pathways to a living wage, they can build a better future for themselves and their families.
In Tulsa, the neighborhood where a child grows up often determines whether they will rise out of poverty by the time they reach adulthood.
This reality is evident when we compare upward mobility among children who grow up in poverty in north Tulsa and south Tulsa, areas of the city divided by racial lines. According to the Opportunity Atlas, a child growing up in a low-income household in north Tulsa will make approximately 50% less income as an adult than a child who grew up in a low-income household in south Tulsa.
Today, earning a college degree or postsecondary credential is the gateway to higher income and financial stability. We aim to help our partners ensure that every young adult in Tulsa—regardless of their race, ethnicity or the neighborhood where they grew up—has access to postsecondary opportunities so they can earn a fair wage and live a healthy, self-sustaining life.
$28,266
The annual median income of individuals with a high school degree and no college experience, about half the income of those with a bachelor's degree. (Source)
19%
Of Black Tulsans have a bachelor's degree, about half the rate of white Tulsans. (Source)
40%
Of north Tulsa residents earn a living wage compared with 73% of south Tulsans. (Source)
< 1 in 6
Students enrolled in community college transfer to a 4-year university and earn a bachelor’s degree. (Source)
Our Approach
We support our partners in removing obstacles to higher education and accelerating students’ progress as they work toward earning a postsecondary degree or certificate.
Expanding concurrent enrollment and academic advising
We partner with Tulsa Community College (TCC) to expand opportunities for Tulsa-area high school students to participate in free college-level courses and increase the number of academic advisers to support TCC students.
Creating seamless pathways and providing financial assistance
We partner with regional higher education institutions to create clear pathways for students transferring from TCC so they can earn a bachelor’s degree. We also award scholarships to first-generation undocumented students, students pursuing engineering or computer science degrees, and students transferring from TCC to a four-year university.
Advancing workforce training
Through investments in workforce training programs, we support young adults as they pursue technical training, earn credentials and secure employment in high-demand fields.
Our Grantees
High-touch advising, quality academic and technical training programs, financial aid, and clear program pathways are essential to ensure students can complete their postsecondary degree or credential and get well-paying jobs. We are proud to support organizations and initiatives providing these opportunities to students in Tulsa.
View more grantees in our Tulsa Grantmaking portfolio
Connecting People to Jobs and Training
Tulsa Community WorkAdvance is a workforce development initiative that aims to understand employers’ needs and connect individuals to free technical training, full-time job placement and career advancement coaching.
Improving Student Outcomes
By partnering with Tulsa’s regional higher education institutions, the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium helps improve the transfer student experience, advance student learning and increase degree completion.
Building Success Through Education
Tulsa Community College (TCC) serves approximately 21,500 students every year, making it the largest two-year college in the state of Oklahoma. By equipping students with a well-rounded education, TCC works to ensure the ongoing success of Tulsa’s students.
GRANTEE RESOURCE
Comprehensive Database of Degree Programs in Tulsa
From bachelor's degrees to associates degrees to skill-specific certificates and more, Tulsa Higher Education Consortium's public database of degree programs makes it easy to search for and navigate education offerings in the Tulsa area.