After a seven-year hiatus in Texas serving as senior vice president of student and community engagement at Collin College, Oklahoma native Jay Corwin has returned to serve in a similar role at OCCC, continuing his commitment to student success in higher education.

“My entire career has been in Oklahoma until this trip for the last seven years down to Texas, and I missed Oklahoma so much that I couldn’t wait to get back up here,” Corwin said. “When I had this opportunity at OCCC, I jumped right on it.”

Corwin, who now serves as senior vice president for student affairs and strategic enrollment management at OCCC, notes that he grew up knowing about the college, and that its mission aligns with his own.

In his new role, Corwin oversees many of the services that shape the student experience outside the classroom. From enrollment initiatives to campus support programs, the position plays a key role in helping students remain enrolled, overcome obstacles and ultimately complete their degrees. His emphasis on student success reflects the broader mission of community colleges to provide accessible education while supporting students throughout their academic journeys.

“I grew up in Midwest City. I’ve known about OCCC pretty much my whole life,” Corwin said. “I love the mission of our community colleges. OCCC is focused on student success and community engagement, and those are two major passions of mine. I couldn’t have found a better fit.”

Though Corwin only recently assumed his new role in June, he has already identified a key priority.

“My goal is to try to create a pathway to help ensure that students don’t just get to OCCC but leave OCCC wearing a cap and gown,” he said.

While enrollment is an important metric for any college, Corwin said retention and graduation are equally important. His approach focuses not only on bringing students to campus but also on ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to continue their education through graduation.

Corwin noted that he is not alone in the pursuit of that goal, citing the many departments that make up OCCC – in addition to the activities and services offered to students – as crucial elements in ensuring student success.

“That’s something that I talk a lot about is making sure that I can help students navigate whatever obstacles might be in their path,” Corwin said, pointing to an extensive list of campus offerings – including student activities, counseling services, disability services, veteran support, financial aid, admissions, advisement, faculty office hours, the library and tutoring – as things that are “part of the formula to help ensure that students are successful.”

Although OCCC already offers a wide range of academic and personal support services, Corwin believes simply providing those resources is only part of the equation. Helping students recognize when they need assistance – and making those services easy to find – can be just as important as the services themselves.

One of the biggest challenges that Corwin foresees in his role going forward is a logistical one: ensuring that students know what resources are available. He emphasizes the importance of communicating with students in ways that work best for them.

“It’s easy to send an email to say, ‘Look at these 15 things that we have to support you,’” Corwin said. “But what is the actual communication mechanism that they’re going to be like, ‘Let me go check this one out.’”

Despite that potential communication hurdle, Corwin remains committed to ensuring that students get what they need to succeed.

Beyond addressing day-to-day student needs, Corwin views higher education through a broader lens. He believes the impact of a college education extends well beyond the individual student, creating long-term benefits for families, workplaces and communities.

“You know, about 50% of our graduates here are first generation. I mean, man, that changes your community,” he said. “It changes our neighborhoods. Knowing the impact that we’re making by helping students get their college degrees makes a big difference.”

An important part of Corwin’s job at OCCC, one that helps drive him forward, is the people who make up the campus community.

“It’s the people I love being around,” he said. “Not just Oklahomans, but Oklahomans who are passionate about helping others be successful in their lives.”

That appreciation for the people at OCCC also shapes Corwin’s philosophy about campus life. He believes students who build relationships with classmates, faculty and staff are more likely to feel connected to the college and remain engaged throughout their education.

Corwin emphasizes the importance of community in the formula for student success. He encourages students to take some time to get to know one another and become immersed in campus life.

“It could be as simple as picking up a ping pong paddle over at the student activities area and getting to know the person next to you. Or go sit down on a bench and talk to someone,” Corwin suggested. “I think the more you can connect to OCCC, the better chances you have of being successful here.”