Oklahoma’s Promise makes debt-free college possible for Rose State grad Published April 19, 2016 by Ali Sexton

Midwest City, Okla. – Lacee Smith could have continued her education anywhere after graduating from Broken Bow High School with a stellar GPA and 24 college credit hours under her belt. But she knew she wanted to stay in Oklahoma and finish her degree debt free – thanks to Oklahoma’s Promise.

In her 8^th grade year Lacee’s family went from a two-income household to one, after her father was certified as disabled and unable to work a full time job for health reasons. It was then that her family applied for Oklahoma’s Promise and found they qualified for the scholarship program.

While touring her top college choices in the state she found herself driving by Rose State College. She says she remembered the dance competitions she had competed in year after year at the Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center and decided to stop and take a look around campus.  That chance stop let to her being invited to Leadership Preview day on the campus, Lacee said, “I was looking for a place where I felt safe and comfortable. Rose State offered me just that. I fell in love with the people and it felt like home.”

Since her arrival on campus, Lacee has become a part of Student Senate which she said, “Helped develop life skills like time management and dealing with difficult people” – both of which will serve her well as a nurse. So now, as Lacee meets with Faculty Senate each month as an elected Nursing Association representative, she feels confident in the meetings instead of nervous.

Thanks to Oklahoma’s Promise, Lacee has already completed an Associate Degree with no debt and will go on to finish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) without student loan debt as well. 

Although Lacee is only in her first semester of nursing school at Rose State, she has already been offered and accepted a position at OU Children’s Hospital where she plans to work upon graduation of the Rose State Nursing Program.

Photo Cutline: Lacee Smith – graduate of Rose State College now pursuing her Registered Nursing credential.