Southeastern Oklahoma Enrichment Programs
BioScience Research Area
In 1975, the Corps of Engineers (COE) made a long-term agreement with Southeastern Oklahoma State University to set aside a tract of land for an outdoor classroom. The area is a 460-acre tract located between the Johnson Creek Recreational Area and the Roosevelt Bridge adjacent to and north of U.S. Hwy. 70, about 11 miles west of the campus and Durant, Oklahoma. It is surrounded on three sides by Lake Texoma and Hwy. 70 on the south.
The area is covered by a mix of hardwoods and open areas of grasses and forbs typical of Southeastern Oklahoma. Since 1975, numerous classroom research projects involving hundreds of students have used the BioScience Area for ecological studies. It is also used by many of the special programs that occur on campus such as the Math and Science Academy and the Oklahoma Academy of Science.
Oklahoma Small Business Development Center
The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (Oklahoma SBDC) is a statewide program, and one of 63 Small Business Development Centers located throughout the United States and its territories. Hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University since 1984, the Oklahoma SBDC provides no-cost, confidential assistance to individuals who want to start a business, as well as to existing business owners who need management, financial, or technical support to improve or expand their operations. The Oklahoma SBDC is committed to growing Oklahoma’s economy — one small business at a time.
The Oklahoma SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and supported by a variety of partnerships, including the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, as well as numerous higher education institutions, technology centers, community consortiums, and a non-profit organization.
With 27 business advisors, the Oklahoma SBDC delivers services across Oklahoma. Office locations include Ardmore, Chickasha, Durant, Edmond, El Reno, Idabel, McAlester, Miami, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Ponca City, Stillwater, Sulphur, Tulsa, Wetumka, and Wilburton.
Specialty Service Areas
- Tech Launch Center: Three advisors across the state who focus on innovation and technology commercialization. Services include assistance with SBIR/STTR grants, funding strategies, technology readiness assessments, pitch deck refinement, and investor connections.
- Research and Data Center: Based in the State Office in Durant, this center provides in-depth market analysis and data-driven insights to guide strategic business decisions.
- International Trade Support: Located at the Oklahoma State University Wes Watkins Center for International Trade, this specialty area supports global business activities — from export readiness to customs, freight, and trade finance.
The Oklahoma SBDC is fully accredited by America’s SBDC national network, with the most recent accreditation awarded in 2023. The State Office is located in the OKSBDC building at 301 West University on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Dr. Michele Hockersmith, State Director at (580) 745-3326, mcampbell@se.edu or visiting oksbdc.org.
The Herbarium
The Herbarium at Southeastern Oklahoma State University was established by Dr. John Taylor and Dr. Constance Taylor in the fall of 1969. In 1974, it was designated a National Resource Collection. In 2017 the herbarium was renamed The John and Connie Taylor Herbarium in honor of its founders. The main collection is comprised of Oklahoma vascular plant specimens, but it also contains specimens from other states and countries. There are many specimens from the plant family Asteraceae.
Most of the specimens have been included in the online database of the Oklahoma Vascular Plants Database. Plans are underway for the digitization of specimens as part of the TORCH project (Texas and Oklahoma Regional Consortium of Herbaria). Information from these specimens has been shared with researchers from around the world.
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Diane Dixon, Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK 74701-0609; e-mail jpruett@se.edu.