Dr. Kyle Stafford became the 16th president of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in January 2020.
Prior to his tenure at NEO, Dr. Stafford served for two decades at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, holding positions as the Vice President for University Advancement and formerly the Executive Director of University Advancement, Dean of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Director of Admissions and Recruitment Services, and Recruiting Coordinator/Admissions Counselor. In his role as VP for University Advancement, Dr. Stafford oversaw Admissions and Recruitment, Advancement, Marketing, Alumni Relations, and Career Management.
Among his accomplishments was a $1.4 million fundraising program to support the school’s aviation program, securing a $2 million commitment from a private family foundation to build a Native American art museum, involvement in increasing the Southeastern Foundation’s assets by 26% since 2015, and playing a significant role in reversing a six-year enrollment decline; growing first-year freshman enrollment by over 25%.
Stafford earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Southeastern before completing a Doctorate of Education from Northcentral University, where he completed a dissertation on the role college president’s play in institutional fundraising.
Dr. Stafford is a native of Madill, Okla., and he and his wife, Kim, have two daughters, Miranda Matlock and Emma.