As the public service division of the University of Oklahoma Outreach ~ College of Continuing Education, Public and Community Services (PCS) has over 18 departments, nearly 500 employees and more than 60 grant and contract programs. With an emphasis on service to the community, PCS emerged more than 50 years ago.
 During this span of time, PCS has continued to change and adapt to shifting educational needs and cultural climates of the nation.
Founded in 1961, the Center for Human Relations addressed needs arising from legislative and cultural changes. Led by three of the University of Oklahoma's finest scholars- Dr. Bill Carmack, Dr. Glenn Snider and Dr. J, Clayton Feaver- the Center for Human Relations drafted policies that integrated the Oklahoma City Public Schools.
Now called the Southwest Center for Human Relation Studies, the center hosts the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), attracting an international audience in the thousands.
The College of Continuing Education supports opportunities for diverse populations. The Regents formed the American Indian Institute (AII) in 1951 to provide services to the native populations of first the state, and then the nation. AII continues to work today with the same mission. The Institute's events bring together representatives of hundreds of North American Indian tribes and bands to examine present-day problems and solutions from a North American Indian perspective. AII provides opportunities for leadership and training for Indian people by Indian people.
Within PCS programming, opportunities exist for continuing education for educators, adults in transition, executives, communities, diverse populations, businesses, mentors, researchers and parents. |
