Executive director of Regional University System of Oklahoma departing after one year

Desmond Milligan · August 21

The Regional University System of Oklahoma will be looking for another leader, as its executive director, Brandon Tatum, has announced his departure.

Tatum said he will begin working as the executive vice president at America Achieves, a New York-based nonprofit that has launched the Good Jobs Economy initiative, an effort designed to help local communities integrate and advance strategies for marrying economic growth and economic mobility. Tatum said he will continue living in Oklahoma.

Tatum began serving in the RUSO role in August 2024. RUSO is the state’s largest four-year university system, serving more than 40,000 students through six institutions: East Central University in Ada, Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

The executive director serves as the chief executive officer of the RUSO Board of Regents and as a liaison between the regents and the university presidents.

Brandon Tatum, left, is leaving the executive director position he held with the Regional University System of Oklahoma, while regent Jane McDermott, right, will help lead the search for Tatum's successor.

“The RUSO system plays such a key workforce role in the state of Oklahoma,” Tatum said.

“As a system, we serve the most undergraduate students in the state and produce the most nurses and teachers in Oklahoma,” Tatum said. “It has been a privilege to work with the RUSO Regents and all six of our university presidents to expand opportunity and impact.”

Before starting with RUSO, Tatum served as Gov. Kevin Stitt’s chief of staff, starting in November 2022. He has held previous roles in both K-12 and higher education, including serving for a time as executive vice president for Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.

While with RUSO, Tatum championed an “Affordability and Transparency Framework” for the system, which required each of RUSO’s universities to develop a three-year strategic plan, detailing how they will address both rising tuition costs and ensuring affordable access to higher education for Oklahomans.

“Dr. Tatum has made a significant impact on RUSO during his time with us,” said Jane McDermott, the chair of the RUSO regents’ board. “We have made significant strides as a system under his leadership and wish him the very best as he takes on this exciting national role.”

McDermott said RUSO will accept applications for its executive director’s role through Sept. 19.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Executive director of Oklahoma's regional university system is leaving

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