Leadership
Meet the dynamic leadership team steering our organization towards excellence. They collectively drive innovation, foster collaboration, and inspire the team to achieve shared goals.
Connie Reilly
Executive Director
Connie Reilly has been an educator in the Okemah Public Schools since 1971 where she has been honored with several teacher of the year awards. She graduated from Newcastle High School before attending the University of Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English and History. She received a Master’s of Library Science degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1981.
She has taught high school English, History, Speech and Drama and middle school Language Arts. She has served Okemah Public Schools as a librarian, principal, state and federal programs director, treasurer, superintendent and administrative assistant. She has also worked as an educational consultant for a private firm. She has also been inducted into the Okemah Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Reilly currently serves as the President of the Okemah Chamber of Commerce. Her other professional memberships include the Retired Teachers Association, University of Oklahoma Alumni Association and Crimson Club. She and her husband, Bob, reside in Okemah and are the parents of two children. Her hobbies include reading, refinishing furniture, and gardening
Originally appointed to the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma in 2007, Mrs. Reilly has been a devoted advocate for Oklahoma’s regional universities. Her commitment to higher education was recognized once again with her recent reappointment to a third term by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Michelle Seybolt
Deputy Director
Dr. Michelle Seybolt is a dedicated education leader with more than 20 years of experience across Oklahoma schools. She is excited to serve OEQA and advance its mission by fostering innovation and driving continuous improvement to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.
She has held a variety of leadership roles in both district and state settings, including teacher, instructional coach, principal, and district administrator. At the Oklahoma State Department of Education, she served as Assistant Deputy Superintendent of School Support and held other senior roles guiding federal and state school improvement initiatives. Most recently, she was Managing Director of School Support at Epic Charter Schools, where she led systemwide efforts to improve student outcomes and support school leaders.
Dr. Seybolt earned her Doctor of Education and Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University and bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Letters from the University of Oklahoma.
