Katherine Skorvaga, executive director of Dress for Success of Tulsa, recently received the Outstanding Business and Industry Partner Award from the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council.
Skorvaga was one of 17 Oklahomans honored, along with three businesses and organizations, at the 28th annual Making It Work Day at the Capitol in a virtual ceremony May 6. Making It Work Day recognizes individuals who are committed to removing barriers to success for single-parent families by providing educational experiences for students beyond the classroom. The ceremony also recognized nontraditional students.
Dress for Success provides students with business casual attire for interviews, school and work, along with classes in financial literacy and job readiness, said Jeana Cole, Project HIRE program coordinator at Tulsa Technology Center, who nominated Skorvaga for the award.
“She believes in the mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life,” Cole said. “Katherine and Dress for Success stand out above others by not being judgmental of the students that we refer to the organization. The students are made to feel welcomed and valued.”
Skorvaga also serves as a member of Project HIRE’s advisory committee.
OkCTEEC is affiliated with the administrative division of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education. The council advocates for students pursuing nontraditional careers and for resources for educating single parents.
“OkCTEEC is always privileged to honor those who have chosen a career path that is nontraditional and those individuals or partners who have assisted them in their quest,” said KayTee Niquette, Work Prep and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. “This year is a transitional year that everyone seems to be working through, so students and others have been doing an exceptional job meeting in person and through a hybrid model.”
She serves as an adviser for OkCTEEC, along with Lisa French of the Department of Human Services and Gina McPherson of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
“All of us continue to navigate through the continuing pandemic, facing new challenges each and every day,” said Kelly Vinson, OkCTEEC president and director of Project Achieve at Northern Oklahoma College. “Our students have shown tremendous strength and determination navigating through the many challenges they face along the way. It is a great honor to recognize these students, who have excelled and are continuing to reach their goals.”
OkCTEEC’s purposes include promoting and supporting career and technology education, increasing its effectiveness, promoting research in the field and in educational equity, developing leadership and advocating for equity and diversity.
For more information about OkCTEEC, visit https://www.cteec.org/okcteec. For more information about the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, visit www.okcareertech.org.
