About the President

Dr. Kayse Shrum

Since taking office in July 2021, Shrum has boldly faced challenges like conference realignment and COVID-19 while positioning OSU for future success through a strategic planning process. The resulting We Are Land-Grant strategic plan aims to establish OSU as the nation’s premier land-grant university by addressing societal problems, providing world-class education and preparing students for future challenges.

In her first year, Shrum launched significant initiatives such as the Hamm Institute for American Energy, supported by a $50 million gift from The Harold Hamm Foundation and Continental Resources, to educate future energy pioneers. She also celebrated the creation of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, enhancing OSU’s aerospace capabilities and fostering partnerships across university, commercial, military and government sectors.

Her forward-thinking leadership continued into her second and third years. In 2022, OSU launched the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute to develop preventative strategies for obesity and chronic diseases, and established the OSU Student Farm to extend the land-grant university's mission to the community. 

In December 2023, she launched an expanded OSU Polytech effort to address Oklahoma’s high-tech workforce needs, with over 3,700 students enrolled in 60 programs.

Throughout her tenure, OSU has set multiple enrollment records, including the highest undergraduate enrollment, largest first-time freshman class and becoming Oklahoma’s largest university system. OSU also set records for non-residents, Honors College, Spears School of Business, Native American, first-generation, online and new graduate students. Despite this growth, OSU has maintained flat tuition and mandatory fees for three consecutive years, emphasizing student access, STEM education and workforce readiness.

A trailblazing journey

Before leading the OSU System, Shrum was named president of the OSU Center for Health Sciences in 2013, becoming Oklahoma's youngest and first female president and dean of a medical school. She held the George Kaiser Family Foundation Chair in Medical Excellence and Service, and the Saint Francis Health System Endowed Chair of Pediatrics.

Under her leadership, OSU-CHS saw unprecedented growth, with student enrollment more than doubling as new programs were established to meet the state’s health care needs. She led the construction of the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Medical Academic Building, housing Oklahoma’s largest and most advanced hospital simulation center.

A strong supporter of partnerships, Shrum collaborated with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker to establish the nation’s first tribally affiliated medical school, the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, which opened in fall 2020. She also secured a $197.5 million investment from Purdue Pharma to create the National Center for Wellness & Recovery for addiction treatment and studies.

Shrum launched award-winning high school recruiting programs like Operation Orange and Blue Coat to White Coat, established the Rural Medical Track curriculum, and expanded rural residency training programs with support from the Oklahoma Legislature, Oklahoma Health Care Authority and Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.

Paying it forward

Shrum is active in a variety of charitable and professional organizations. She is a board member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, State Chamber of Oklahoma, PLICO, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Oklahoma State University Medical Authority and Trust, Texas A&M Center for Optimizing Rural Health, and Women for OSU Council. She holds committee positions in osteopathic professional organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicines, American Osteopathic Association, and American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.

In spring 2024, Shrum announced a visionary new service project — State of Orange: A Day of Cowboy Service. Over 3,000 participants answered the call to make a difference at more than 350 event locations nationwide, demonstrating how the university’s land-grant mission extends beyond the classroom and into the community.

Leading with excellence

Shrum's leadership, professional and civic contributions have led to notable recognition and awards. Her honors include:

2023 Special Olympics Oklahoma Barry Switzer Award of Excellence
2022 Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame induction
2022 Oklahoma Osteopathic Association DO of the Decade
2020 “Journal Record” Health Care Hero
2020 Osteopathic Founders Foundation Outstanding Physician Award
2020 Becker's Hospital Review “100 Academic Medical Center CEOs to Know”
2019 Connors State College Alumni Hall of Fame induction
2019 Tulsa Osteopathic Medical Society Osteopathic Impact Award
2019 “Journal Record’s” 2019 Woman of Year Award
2018 Newsmaker Award by the Association for Women in Communications Tulsa Chapter
2014 Oklahoma Osteopathic Association’s Outstanding & Distinguished Service Award
2013 Connors State College Athletics Hall of Fame induction
2012 Tulsa Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women’s Pinnacle Award for Health