Senate Education Committee advances a slate of executive nominations

The Oklahoma Senate Education Committee on April 26 advanced a slate of executive nominations to the full Senate, approving appointees to state education boards, the Arts Council and several regents boards.

Among those moved forward were Brian Bobek for an unexpired seat on the State Board of Education, Jonathan Daniels for the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, Cody Swanee for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, Randy Squires to the Board of Regents at Western Oklahoma State College and Adisha Chapman for the Murray State College Board of Regents. Most nominations carried unanimously or with overwhelming support.

Brian Bobek, who was presented by Senator Rosino, told the committee he was "cognizant of the significance of the nomination" and asked for a yes vote. The committee recorded 9 ayes and 0 nays on his nomination. Jonathan Daniels, introduced as a campus president with two decades of experience and a 10-year Army veteran, also received 9 ayes, 0 nays.

Other nominees approved included V. Lee for the Oklahoma Arts Council (10-0), Trevor Pemberton to the State Regents for Higher Education (10-0) and Kevin Gross to the Tulsa Community College Board of Regents (9-0). Jennifer Carlson was approved for the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability with a recorded 8 ayes and 1 nay. Melissa Yvonne, the 2025 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year, was confirmed 9-0 to the same commission.

Committee leaders said moving nominations through committee is the routine step before floor consideration. The committee recessed briefly midmeeting to clear the room and then resumed work on legislative items.

The committee’s action sends the nominations to the full Senate for final confirmation; none of the measures considered as nominations included statutory implementation details or funding implications.