Northwestern's Oswald Receives Statewide Education Leadership Award

June 24, 2026

Dr. Toni Ivey, professor of education at Oklahoma State University, presents Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Division of Education, with a wood-and-gold plaque reading
Dr. Toni Ivey, professor of education at Oklahoma State University, presents Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of the Division of Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, with the Jane M. Morse Leadership Award during the Oklahoma Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s (OACTE) June 5 state meeting.

ALVA, Okla. — Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of the Division of Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, has received the Jane M. Morse Leadership Award from the Oklahoma Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (OACTE).

The honor was announced during OACTE’s state meeting on June 5, where Oswald also was installed as OACTE president for the 2026-2027 term.

The Jane M. Morse Leadership Award is presented annually to an Oklahoma educator who demonstrates exceptional leadership, dedication and vision in advancing teacher preparation across the state. Oswald was selected by her peers from higher education institutions across Oklahoma in recognition of her advocacy, collaborative spirit and commitment to shaping the future of educator preparation.

The award capped a monumental week of advocacy and leadership for Oswald. Prior to the state meeting, she traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Washington Week, where she met with federal legislators and congressional staff to advocate for teacher preparation policies and resources.

Headshot of Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of Northwestern Oklahoma State University's Division of Education.“Receiving the Jane M. Morse Leadership Award from my community of peers, who care so deeply about the future of education, is the privilege of my professional career,” Oswald said. “The work we do collectively across Oklahoma to prepare the next generation of high-quality educators is more critical than ever.”

OACTE is a state affiliate of the AACTE. The organization represents Oklahoma institutions of higher education dedicated to the high-quality preparation of professional school personnel, advocating for policies and practices that support excellence in learning and teaching.

For more information, visit the Northwestern Division of Education webpage.

-NW-

Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480



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