Center for Social Innovation
Program Information
CFSI stands as a beacon of hope, offering a comprehensive workforce development initiative tailored to the needs of Oklahomans transitioning from various challenging situations, including incarceration, homelessness, foster care, domestic violence, substance abuse addiction, or mental health disorders. This transformative program not only provides post-secondary education and training but also cultivates a supportive environment conducive to long-term recovery and personal growth. At CFSI, participants embark on a journey towards empowerment, equipped with the tools and resources necessary to securen over 3,800 meaningful employment. Through an intensive curriculum, students gain invaluable skills and hands-on experience via internships, all while earning college credit hours and supplementary credentials. In the previous academic year alone (2022-2023), our dedicated students collectively engaged i hours of immersive learning experiences and contributed nearly 3,400 hours to internship opportunities, underscoring their commitment to self-improvement and community engagement. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates seamlessly transition into the broader student body, continuing their academic pursuits with newfound confidence and determination. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and opportunity, CFSI not only transforms individual lives but also plays a pivotal role in shaping a more skilled and educated workforce for the state of Oklahoma. Join us in our mission to empower individuals and build a brighter future for our community.
Funding Source and Mission: CFSI receives partial funding through a Congressionally-directed Community Project Fund, as stipulated in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2022. This support enables us to serve a diverse range of individuals, including justice-involved individuals, Oklahomans who have experienced homelessness or domestic violence, individuals in long-term recovery from substance abuse addiction or mental health disorders, and former foster-involved youth. With this backing, CFSI is dedicated to providing essential resources and opportunities for academic and professional achievement.
Participant Acceptance Criteria: Candidates interested in joining the program undergo a thorough selection process to ensure alignment with our mission and readiness for post-secondary education. The application process includes an online submission, an essay component, and the provision of three character references. Then, applicants engage in an in-person interview conducted by a panel of various OSU-OKC staff members, representing areas such as Academics, Disability Services, Career Services, and other campus federal grant programs.
Selection Committee Evaluation: The interview committee evaluates each candidate based on several criteria, including levels of college-readiness, stability factors such as mental health, sobriety, housing, and support systems, as well as their commitment to and enthusiasm for pursuing post-secondary education. Importantly, the committee assesses the compatibility of OSU-OKC's program offerings with the applicant's desired career path, ensuring a meaningful and supportive educational journey.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement: While we uphold rigorous standards for program acceptance, we recognize that individual circumstances and aspirations may evolve over time. Therefore, individuals who are not accepted into the program for any reason are encouraged to reapply for consideration in subsequent CFSI cohorts. Those individuals are also provided with multiple alternate options to assist with their pursuit of higher education and workforce readiness. This commitment to inclusivity and ongoing support underscores our dedication to empowering individuals on their path to success.
By upholding these standards and values, CFSI remains steadfast in its mission to provide transformative educational opportunities and support for individuals facing unique challenges, ultimately creating a more resilient and empowered community.
Learning Outcomes
Campus Integration: Students develop a deep understanding of campus resources, effortlessly navigating tutoring services, SOAR program offerings, student clubs, professor interactions, advising department communications, and financial aid channels.
Emotional Intelligence: Cultivating heightened self-awareness, empathy, and social acumen, participants emerge with refined emotional intelligence crucial for personal and professional success. Beyond sobriety or mental health stabilization, this skillset empowers individuals to properly navigate interpersonal dynamics, defuse conflicts gracefully, and harmonize with others perspectives, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
Communication: Participants refine their communication skills to become adept problem-solvers, risk mitigators, boundary setters, and self-advocates. Recognizing the pivotal role of effective communication, participants leverage their newfound proficiency to excel in networking, leadership opportunities, and public speaking engagements.
Identity and Personal Branding: Through individualized experiences such as Clifton Strengths Finder assessments, GiANT Worldwide’s 5 Voices, and engaging team activities, participants embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal branding. Inspired by guest speakers and industry exposure, participants craft their unique identities, bolstered by professional headshots and the creation of LinkedIn profiles.
Direct Employment Skills: Participants acquire vital employment skills, including PRSS certifications, personalized career services, and immersive trainings such as Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and Hope Champion by Lynn Institute. Opportunities for paid internships, computer classes, and training modules ensure participants are primed for professional success.
Engaged Community Leadership: Participants assume leadership roles within the peer-led student club, Things That Matter (TTM), from program launch. Through collaborative community projects, budget management, and team-based initiatives, participants foster a culture of morale enhancement within the CFSI program while simultaneously serving and uplifting the OSU-OKC campus and the broader Oklahoma City community.
Who Qualifies?
Anyone with social barriers such as a history of incarceration, addiction, trauma, poverty, homelessness, abuse, mental health disorders, or domestic violence.
CFSI Student Handbook
For additional program information and guidelines, please review the current CFSI Student Handbook.
Cohort Videos
Student Stories
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Kristen Bisset
“I’ve faced challenges that could have defined me, but instead I chose to grow through them. My sobriety and return to school are proof that change is possible, and I’m building a life my children can be proud of.”
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Andrew Reyes
“I’m Andrew, a student at OSU-OKC majoring in addictions counseling and a member of the Center for Social Innovation (CFSI) cohort. This past semester has been a big step in both my education and my personal growth. Being part of CFSI has pushed me to think beyond just getting a degree and really focus on the kind of impact I want to have in people’s lives.
Alongside school, I work as a group facilitator at South Coast Behavioral Health, where I support individuals in recovery. That experience has shaped how I see this field. It’s not just about theory for me—it’s about showing up, being real, and creating a space where people can be honest with themselves. I focus on accountability, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, because those are the things that actually help people change.
What I’ve learned through both CFSI and my work is that growth isn’t something you can fake. It takes consistency, humility, and a willingness to face yourself. I try to bring that into everything I do, whether I’m leading a group or continuing my own journey.
Moving forward, my goal is to keep building on this foundation and become someone who not only understands recovery, but lives it and helps others do the same. This semester and this cohort have been a reminder that real change is possible—and that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be in that process.”
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Taylor Sherwood
“I am proud to be graduating after a journey shaped by growth, resilience, and support. Through the CSFI program, I was given the tools, guidance, and resources I needed during a time when I was struggling both personally and academically. With their support, I was able to push through challenges and rediscover my strength and direction.
My journey does not end here. I plan to continue my education while also continuing my work with HopeHouse, a program that supports single mothers and their children as they rebuild their lives. As a single mom myself, this work is deeply meaningful to me. Making the decision to focus on my mental well-being, work on campus, and take a lighter school load has helped me grow in confidence and find a stronger sense of purpose.
This chapter is just the beginning of everything I am becoming.”
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Shaylon Condit
“My name is Shaylon Condit, and I began my journey with CFSI as an opportunity to return to school and build a career that would create a better life for myself and my son. My story is not one of perfection, but of perseverance. Through every challenge, I made the choice to keep moving forward. Along the way, my persistence was seen and valued at CFSI, which strengthened my drive to continue growing.
I am a mother first, and it is the most important part of who I am. My son is my reason and my motivation, and everything I do is rooted in building a better future for both of us.
Through this journey, I have learned that growth takes consistency, resilience, and commitment. Today, I am proud of how far I have come and focused on where I am going. I now work for Hope House, the nonprofit that helped me rebuild my life, and being able to give back in that way is incredibly meaningful to me.
I am not defined by my past, but by my strength, my growth, and the life I am continuing to build.”
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Trisha Stevens
“My name is Trisha Stevens, and I started my journey with CFSI because I was ready for a change and wanted something more for my life. When I began my first semester, I didn’t even have the confidence that I could make it through, let alone succeed. But step by step, I kept going. Today, I stand with higher goals, confidence, and a renewed belief in myself. I’ve made the President’s Honor Roll both semesters, and through this journey, I’ve proven to myself that I am highly capable of achieving my bachelor’s degree, possibly even pursuing my master’s. What once felt impossible now feels within reach, and I’m walking forward with purpose and determination.”