SWOSU Press Release

Weatherford, OK – Dr. Tugba Sevin, Professor of Italian and Spanish and Coordinator of the World Languages Program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Teaching by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Council for Online Learning Excellence.

This prestigious award recognizes outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators across Oklahoma’s 25 public colleges and universities who demonstrate exemplary “leadership, innovation, collaboration, and results that advance online and hybrid education have made exceptional contributions to online and blended learning in the State of Oklahoma.”

Dr. Sevin is the first faculty member from SWOSU to receive this award in the teaching category, marking a significant milestone for the university and its commitment to innovative education.

Dr. Sevin, who has more than 24 years of academic experience, is deeply passionate about creating accessible, engaging, and globally focused online learning experiences. She coordinates SWOSU’s World Languages Minor, which offers students opportunities to take courses in a range of languages, including Spanish, Italian, German, and American Sign Language, with fully online options.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized for this prestigious Oklahoma Online Excellence award by the Oklahoma State Regents and to be recognized for work that I believe is crucial for the future of education," said Dr. Sevin. "Online learning has the power to connect students to opportunities and cultures beyond the traditional classroom. I am grateful to contribute to that mission at SWOSU and to represent SWOSU with this award.”

Dr. Sevin's dedication to academic excellence, student engagement, and interdisciplinary innovation has been recognized at the university and state-level. In addition to the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award, she is a DaVinci Fellow, a title awarded to faculty who exemplify creative innovation in higher education.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.