Oklahoma Christian University: A Victim of Brain Drain?

While “brain drain” may sound like a terrifying torture device of a hostile alien takeover, the term actually corresponds to a phenomenon occurring in Edmond, that is human. 

“Brain drain” occurs when educated people depart or emigrate from the area where they pursued their education. The phenomenon raises questions about whether state tax money should be used to fund public universities that educate people who will not remain, directly subverting the purpose of enriching the area with further education. 

Unfortunately, Oklahoma is among the top victims of this educational diaspora. According to Andrew Van Dam at The Washington Post, Oklahoma has an after-graduation retention rate of -24.5%, meaning over 20% of graduates from Oklahoma universities do not remain in Oklahoma following their shining, new degrees. When compared to states such as Colorado, who possess a graduate retention rate of 40.5%, Oklahoma’s rate is staggeringly dismal. 

Many link this occurrence to a disagreement with the more conservative lifestyle present in Oklahoma. However, speaking to several Oklahoma Christian students revealed most were already aligned with the lifestyle and political leanings of the area. So while this concern may not be unfounded, this is not a driving force for brain drain within the Oklahoma Christian community. 

Contrarily, the lack of business opportunities in the state seems to be the biggest motive for potential brain drain. Dam states in his article that, “small rural states… lack the urban hubs that offer opportunity.” Because most of Oklahoma features more rural communities, students do not have an incentive to stay within the state for business. 

Sophomore political science student Jude Stewart, who intends to follow a career in law, originally came to Oklahoma Christian from Arkansas because he was intrigued by Dr. Scott LaMascus and the Honors Program. But the Edmond community is not one he intends to remain in, despite harboring no ill will towards the area. 

“Oklahoma does not offer the employment opportunities I intend to pursue,” Stewart said. “While my interactions with the Oklahoma City businesses have been somewhat limited, they seem to be doing well; they are just not an appropriate fit for me.”

In contrast, Elise Lewis, a sophomore graphic design major, plans to remain in Oklahoma rather than return to Texas. To her, Edmond and Oklahoma City do provide the opportunities she is looking for.  

“The Art and Design program is strategically placed where we can easily travel into the Oklahoma City area teeming with design firms and jobs. We have a lot of connections to a lot of different places and people,” Lewis said.

Sophomore marketing major Emma Head echoes Lewis, referencing an approach provided by the business department to “network” with local businesses who are “looking to hire and are prepared to offer a wide variety of benefits for their employees.” 

Not all universities in Oklahoma are likely concerned with the high levels of brain drain within the state. However, it appears Oklahoma Christian is actively attempting to mitigate the negative effects of this phenomenon through collaboration opportunities for students which connect them to local businesses within the OKC and Edmond area. 

For more information about potential career opportunities in the Oklahoma City/Edmond area, students should reach out to their advisors or professors who are often well-connected in the local community.