NEO A&M to keep tuition flat another year

MIAMI, Okla. – Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) will not be raising tuition for the second year in a row.

“It has been a tough year for everyone involved in education, and we felt it was in the best interest of students and their families to hold tuition flat as we rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Kyle Stafford, NEO President. “We appreciate our legislators for their work to increase state appropriations for higher education, which helped make this possible.”

State appropriations were increased by just over 4.5% for fiscal year 2022, this translates to an increase of around $300,000 for NEO. However, many institutions have announced tuition increases due to enrollment downturns during 2020-21. NEO Administrators did approve a 3.1% increase for some food service options.

“We are committed to quality, affordable, and face-to-face courses,” added Stafford. “We are excited to resume normal operations and a full schedule of activities.”

NEO’s fall semester begins on August 23 and enrollment is available now. Over 85% of NEO students receive some form of financial assistance and federal financial aid limits have been increased for the 2021-22 school year.

New grant to help NEO A&M combat substance abuse

MIAMI, Okla. – Northeast Oklahoma A&M College receives a $50,000 grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to battle substance abuse.

The State Opioid Response Higher Education Community Outreach Grant (SOR) provides funds to develop communication and outreach programming to train students, staff, and faculty in culturally responsive approaches to identifying and treating opioid abuse. Officials at NEO say they are already putting the fuds to use through several training sessions. Staff participated in sessions focusing on the prevalence of substance dependency in individuals with “adverse childhood experiences,” providing resources to students who may turn to substance-seeking coping mechanisms during the rapid transition to online and distance learning, and the implications of the pandemic on addiction/overdoses.

“The pandemic has limited our ability to host in-person trainings, but we’ve been able to conduct some impactful initiatives that prepare our staff and faculty to support students,” said Rachel Lloyd, Title III Grant Coordinator. “We’ve also been able to reach out to experts in motivation and healthy coping to engage our students.”

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), Oklahoma has made strides in recent years to combat opioid dependency and death, but providers still prescribed opioids for nearly 80 people per every 100 in 2018.

NEO A&M kicks-off homecoming week with NEOchella

MIAMI, Okla. – It’s homecoming week for NEO A&M college in Miami, and they’re throwing a festival for students.

NEOchella, named after the famous music festival Coachella, featured a talent show, axe throwing, and obstacle course, among other activities.

“I was like, ‘You know what? Our students haven’t had many opportunities to go out and socialize,’” said student activities coordinator Elizabeth Flees. “And I just wanted this event to be spectacular so I’m throwing all the activities at them today.”

The NEOchella took place in the parking lot of the colleges nursing science building.

NEO A&M Aggie Days draws student from across the Four-States

 

MIAMI, Okla. – Students from all over the area today headed to NEO A&M in Miami, Oklahoma Thursday for the 69th annual Aggie Days.

That’s an agricultural contest with a variety of events from speech to livestock judging. Hundreds of students participated.

The livestock judging contest will take place Friday.

“For the students who have competed here in the livestock judging contest during our annual Aggie Days, said Agriculture Instructor Mary Booth. “The next step for them is going on to state competitions.”