Pictured Left to Right: CymSTAR Vice President of Business Development Matthew Jamison, Oklahoma Department of Commerce Program Coordinator Kallie Hanish, CymSTAR President & CEO Col. (Ret.) Dan Marticello, RSC Dean of Workforce Dr. Whitney Alvis, and RSC Provost Travis Hurst
Rose State College (RSC) will develop Oklahoma’s first Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Simulation Technology, thanks to a $750,000 Workforce Demonstration Grant awarded by the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. This groundbreaking program, the second of its kind in the nation, directly addresses the growing workforce needs of Oklahoma’s expanding aerospace, defense, and healthcare sectors, positioning the state as a national leader in simulation technician training.
“Simulation technology is a rapidly growing field, and this program provides students with a direct pipeline into high-paying, high-demand careers right here in Oklahoma,” said Whitney Alvis, Dean of Workforce at Rose State College. “By combining hands-on training with stackable micro-credentials, we’re not only meeting the urgent needs of our industry partners but also providing students with the tools they need to succeed and grow throughout their careers.”
The Simulation Technology program equips students with the skills to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain complex simulation systems used for mission-critical training in both civilian and military applications. Students will earn four stackable, industry-recognized micro-credentials as they progress toward an associate degree, which is currently under development and pending approval by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), gaining marketable skills from the outset.
DRG: Prioritizing Immediate Workforce Solutions
Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC (DRG), one of the state’s leading defense contractors, sees the program as an immediate solution to a national workforce shortage.
“There simply aren’t enough trained simulation technicians coming out of the pipeline to meet demand, not just in Oklahoma, but across the country,” said DRG Recruitment Manager Timothy Smith. “Rose State College is stepping up to fill that void. This program will provide our industry with a steady stream of qualified candidates who have the real-world technical skills we require. It’s a win for students, a win for employers, and a win for Oklahoma’s economy.”
CymSTAR: Investing in Long-Term Industry Growth
CymSTAR, LLC, a leading provider of simulation technology, emphasized the program’s strategic importance in sustaining industry growth in the state.
“The future of aerospace and defense relies on a highly skilled workforce that understands the complexity of simulation and training systems,” said Dan Marticello, President and CEO at CymSTAR. “Rose State’s new program is not only addressing today’s workforce shortages, but it’s building a long-term pipeline of professionals who will keep Oklahoma competitive in this critical sector for years to come. We’re proud to support this forward-thinking approach.”
According to the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, nearly 20,000 additional workers will be needed by 2028 to keep pace with the growth of the aerospace and defense sector, making workforce solutions like this more urgent than ever. Labor market data from Lightcast shows that over the past five years, more than 202 simulation-related job openings were posted, with 17 employers actively competing for qualified candidates. Notably, 34% of these positions required an associate degree, justifying the need for formal training programs to prepare a skilled workforce.
Rose State College will begin implementing the Simulation Technology program in June 2025. A dedicated Project Director, workforce development staff, and industry-based adjunct instructors will lead the program. Continuous assessments will ensure that the curriculum remains aligned with evolving industry needs and student success outcomes.
“We designed this program to be flexible, responsive, and deeply connected to Oklahoma’s workforce demands,” Alvis added. “We’re grateful for the trust and partnership of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission and our industry partners, who share our vision to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy through targeted, high-quality workforce education.”
Rose State College extends sincere gratitude to Delaware Resource Group, CymSTAR, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma Department of Commerce ACES, and Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board for their support that helped advance this proposal. Their commitment to workforce development and partnership has been instrumental in making this program a reality.
The College also thanks the Oklahoma Workforce Commission for their vision and confidence in awarding the Advancing Simulation Technology Education Pathways grant, which makes this transformative program possible.