Cristo Rey OKC adds corporate partner
The Oklahoma City Thunder is the latest corporate partner to sign onto Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School.
The school will open with its first class of freshmen on Aug. 10 on the Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City campus, 900 N Portland.
The school will offer its students an opportunity to join some of the city’s most exciting and visible workplaces. The latest corporate partner to sign on, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will employ a team of students who will each work one day a week. The students will assist the Thunder in guest relations, human resources, marketing and community relations.
As part of the school’s Corporate Work Study Program, students get valuable work experience in addition to a salary that is used to support their tuition and minimize costs for families.
Renee Porter, Cristo Rey OKC president and chief executive officer, said the addition of the Thunder to a long list of corporate partners is an exciting boost for the school.
“The Thunder are one of the most visible and positive symbols of our community,” Porter said in a news release. “Their organization and players have a long tradition of supporting children and education, especially those who are underserved. We are honored and excited to have their support. More importantly, we are excited for a team of our students to have a workplace learning experience within their organization.”
The Thunder joins a growing list of companies and nonprofits that represent sectors as diverse as banking, health care, media, information technology and community outreach. Each company or organization has committed to employing a team of students on engaging projects that contribute to professional development. The Oklahoman, for example, will employ students to assist with Search Engine Optimization and to support the Newspapers in Education Department with events and program offerings. The Chickasaw Nation will have students Resupport corporate development at their Department of Commerce office. McBride Orthopedic Hospital will deploy students for customer service purposes, helping patients navigate their hospital and get to and from different service and patient-care areas.
Regina Birchum, corporate work study director, said the relationship with employers offers students a unique opportunity.
"Exposure to the innerworkings of our partner-organizations enables our students to learn business behavior, explore potential careers, and see the relevance of their education,” Birchum said in a news release.
“But most important, these partnerships inspire our students to set ambitious goals for their future and give them the skills and the confidence to achieve them."
Current Corporate Work Study Partners include: American Fidelity, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, BancFirst, Catholic Charities, the Chickasaw Nation, Clements Foods, Express Employment Professionals, First National Bank of Oklahoma, Grace Living Centers and Humphreys Capital.
Also: Latino Community Development Agency, Lopez Foods, Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores, McBride Orthopedic Hospital, Mercy Health, Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, The Oklahoman, Phillips Murrah, Slawson Exploration, Stella Nova Cafes, Synergy Datacom Supply, United Way, Variety Care and Weokie Federal Credit Union.
The school still is accepting applications for its August opening. Families interested in applying may get more information by calling 945-9100 or going to www.cristoreyokc.org.