Gov. Kevin Stitt's new chief of staff signals a push for 'innovative' education solutions

Brandon Tatum, a university executive with experience tackling workforce development problems, was named last week by Gov. Kevin Stitt as his new chief of staff, an indication the governor plans to renew his focus on education in his second term, specifically in looking for ways to connect schools with the business community.

“He is a fella who is really good at understanding problems and obstacles, and then kind of fashions solutions to those things,” said John deSteiguer, president of Oklahoma Christian University, where Tatum was an executive vice president.

deSteiguer described Tatum as a creative problem solver and innovator, characteristics the governor often highlights when hiring staff.

Tatum did not respond to a request for an interview and the governor’s office said they would not make him available for any media interviews.

More:Kevin Stitt reelected governor of Oklahoma

But in a statement announcing Tatum’s hiring last week, the governor called his experience in higher education an asset.

“Brandon is an overachiever who brings the right temperament and personality to lead our team,” Stitt said.

Tatum has pushed for new ways of addressing workforce issues

deSteiguer credited Tatum for helping launch a new program at Oklahoma Christian University that offers creative paths into the nursing and teaching fields by allowing students to work as they learn.

“He developed a program that takes education to people who want to be nurses but can't quit their jobs and move to a college,” deSteiguer said. “It also works with teacher's aides and teacher's assistants to work on becoming a certified teacher, but they get to stay in the classroom."

Tatum highlighted the program in a 2021 column in the Journal Record, saying it was the kind of "disruption" higher education needed.

"Innovation belongs in higher education, and Oklahoma can be the leaders in solving workforce shortages, wealth gap disparities, and so much more," Tatum wrote. "It starts by accepting our industry’s own needed disruption in how we think and deliver on our mission."

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Tatum has been a guest on numerous higher education-focused podcasts, which often highlight his thoughts on how education in Oklahoma should change.

"I am actually not convinced that we have a workforce shortage, I think we have a pipeline problem," Tatum said this year on a podcast called "Reimaging Schools."

On another podcast called "Education Futures," Tatum said universities need to work closely with the business community and let them lead the way in training new workers, whether it be nursing students learning in an actual hospital, or software coders learning their craft while working fulltime for a tech company.

"Who can train a coder better than Google?" Tatum asked. "Industry is going to realize (they) can train you better (than universities)."

Gov. Stitt vows to make education a focus in second term

Education was a central policy issue during Stitt's reelection campaign, especially as Joy Hofmeister, the Democratic candidate and current state superintendent, regularly criticized the governor's support of school vouchers.

After last week's landslide win, Stitt said education and expanding school choice would be a focus of his second term.

More:After reelection win, Stitt targets schools and 'more options' for parents

"(I want to) make sure that every child has access to a quality education, regardless of their ZIP code or their financial resources," Stitt said Tuesday. "This means protecting our rural schools and unlocking opportunities for families that are stuck in failing districts."

Many viewed the election of Ryan Walters as state superintendent as a boost for Stitt's school choice effort. But while Walters can use his platform to promote those policies, Tatum will be instrumental in helping the governor strategize his school choice push, especially when it comes to convincing leaders in the state Legislature who have openly opposed his ideas.

"I think it would be a real mistake to not see school choice and education reform as a referendum from voters after this election," said Pat McFerron, a Republican consultant.

Tatum is Stitt's fourth chief of staff

Tatum is Stitt’s fourth chief of staff, including Zachary Lee, who had been serving in an interim capacity since August.

Stitt's first chief of staff, Michael Junk, who had worked for Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and two U.S. senators, provided the new governor with a political insider's perspective.

In 2020, Junk was replaced by Bond Payne, an Oklahoma City businessman who offered a more statesmanlike presence just months after Stitt battled with Republican lawmakers over the budget, which they passed despite his veto.

More:Oklahoma Republicans sweep statewide races

Tatum's strength is building relationships and helping others see his vision, said deSteiguer, the president of Oklahoma Christian University.

But deSteiguer said he didn't believe Tatum's strengths were limited to just education policy.

"Obviously Brandon has experience in the education space, but he is really a curious learner in all things," deSteiguer said. "So I think he is going to serve the governor really well in a variety of areas, really with whatever he needs."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma governor hires Brandon Tatum as chief of staff