A Message From New SCRF Executive Director Jake Yunker
I am honored and excited to start this new adventure as the Executive Director of the State Chamber Research Foundation. Its mission to support Oklahoma’s growth and increase prosperity for all Oklahomans is extremely important and personal to me.
Growing up in Wakita, a small town in rural Northwest Oklahoma, my mom decided to go to college as a non-traditional student to provide a better quality of life for her family. While holding down a full-time job and raising two boys, she received her undergraduate degree in education…and continued to get multiple degrees and certifications ending with a doctorate in education.
She found a meaningful career pathway and continues to lead others to find theirs. In her four decades as a teacher and professor, she instilled the love of education in me and thousands of students. Her decision to get a postsecondary degree changed her life and the future opportunities for her family. Her children and grandchildren have all graduated with undergraduate degrees.
My family story is like that of numerous families. As a staff member to both First Lady Laura Bush and Governor Mary Fallin, I have met and visited with families throughout our state and country about the importance of education and career pathways. Every family wants the next generation to have more opportunities than they had, but each pathway to the American dream is unique to the individual traveling it.
My path has led me to the State Chamber Research Foundation. The organization works to create the best environment for Oklahoma and Oklahomans to grow and prosper. Its work centers on striving to find the most comprehensive data on critical public policy categories that are the building blocks of economic success. These include education and workforce, infrastructure, healthcare, tax competitiveness, and legal and regulatory environment.
Together, we can develop public policy that empowers current and future Oklahomans to map out their careers through in-demand degrees and credentials and give businesses the workforce they need to thrive. It will also allow all citizens of our state to provide the best life for their families. I believe in Oklahoma and look forward to working with business, education, nonprofit, and government leaders to develop pathways that let this happen.
Sincerely,
Jake Yunker
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