Langston University Awarded $3.1 Million in Federal Grants

Langston University Expands Disability and Rehabilitation Programs with $3.1 Million in Federal Grants

Langston University is launching a major expansion of its nationally recognized rehabilitation and disability studies programs after receiving $3.125 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

The funding will strengthen Langston’s role as a leader in preparing professionals who serve youth with mental, intellectual, and developmental disabilities — and provide 96 full-tuition scholarships for Oklahoma students over the next five years.

A Transformative Investment in the Future

University President Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson called the funding a “transformative investment” in both education and workforce development. “These grants reflect our unwavering commitment to preparing highly qualified professionals who will serve youth with disabilities,” she said.

The Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies secured three separate federal awards — one from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and two from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The grants will fund new academic tracks, research, and hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom training directly to community impact.

Students supported by the new initiative will receive full tuition, fees, and living stipends for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The investment also expands training partnerships with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and public schools across the state.

Building on a 25-Year Legacy of Excellence

Langston’s Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program is already ranked among the nation’s Top 20 by U.S. News & World Report. The program is accredited by CACREP and operates two federally funded research centers that focus on disability access, inclusion, and professional development.

Dr. Jackson said the new funding reinforces Langston’s 25-year legacy of leadership in rehabilitation education.

“This ensures that Oklahoma continues to produce the next generation of skilled specialists who understand how to meet the needs of every individual,” she said.

Impact Across Oklahoma

The grants will help meet a growing demand for counselors, educators, and specialists trained to support young people with disabilities — especially in rural areas where services are limited.

For Langston University, the goal is clear: expand opportunity, grow the workforce, and reaffirm its place as a national model for inclusive education.

📌 MORE OKLAHOMA NEWS