FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Bethany, OK / Okmulgee, OK] — Southern Nazarene University (SNU) and the College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) formally celebrated a new articulation agreement during a Signing Day event held Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the College of the Muscogee Nation campus.
The agreement establishes a clear transfer pathway for CMN students who wish to continue their education at Southern Nazarene University, supporting student success through aligned coursework, academic advising, and collaborative student services.
The Signing Day ceremony took place at 2 p.m. and included remarks from Dr. Monte Randall, President of the College of the Muscogee Nation, and Dr. Melissa Lewis, SNU Vice President of Academic Affairs for Professional and Graduate Studies, who joined Dr. Mark Winslow, SNU Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, in representing Southern Nazarene University during the event.
“This agreement represents the work of a number of individuals and the commitment of both institutions to serve our students well,” said Dr. Melissa Lewis. “We believe in the academic strength of CMN graduates and are excited to partner with them as they embark on the next phase of their academic journey, whether that results in a bachelor's, master’s, or doctoral degree.”
The articulation agreement was collaboratively developed by Dr. Monte Randall, Dr. Mekko Tyner, Dean of Academic Affairs at the College of the Muscogee Nation, Dr. James King, Regents Director for Institutional Effectiveness at CMN, and Dr. Anne Ghost Bear, SNU–Tulsa Campus Director. Together, the group worked to align academic pathways and institutional support structures that will benefit students transitioning between the two institutions.
As part of the Signing Day celebration, Southern Nazarene University alumni currently employed by the College of the Muscogee Nation were recognized and featured in a special photograph, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the institutions and the impact of SNU graduates serving within the CMN community.
Under the agreement, CMN and SNU will collaborate to support transfer students through coordinated academic advising, financial aid services, and the sharing of institutional resources and information. The partnership is designed to promote continuity, access, and degree completion for students pursuing further education.
Through this partnership, CMN students are now eligible for SNU’s Crimson Connection Transfer Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship designed for students who have completed a two-year degree program and are continuing toward a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is part of SNU’s broader effort to expand transfer pathways and provide transparent, affordable tuition options for adult and traditional learners.
Both Southern Nazarene University and the College of the Muscogee Nation are members of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, reflecting a shared commitment to regional collaboration and expanded access to higher education.
About Southern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University, located in Bethany, Oklahoma, is a private Christian institution committed to shaping servant leaders since 1899. With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs offered on campus and online, SNU emphasizes accessibility, purpose-driven education, and holistic student support.