Sean Burrage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sean Burrage
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| 10th Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education | |
| Assumed office December 2, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Allison D. Garrett |
| 20th President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University | |
| In office July 1, 2014 – October 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Larry Minks |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Newsom |
| Oklahoma Senate Minority Leader | |
| In office January 15, 2012 – May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Andrew Rice |
| Succeeded by | John Sparks |
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 2nd district | |
| In office November 2006 – May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Stratton Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Marty Quinn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 20, 1968 Durant, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Nationality | American Choctaw Nation |
| Political party | Democratic |
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| Relatives | Steve Burrage (uncle) |
| Residence | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma |
| Profession | Attorney |
Sean Burrage is an American lawyer and politician. He is currently the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education since 2024. This means he helps lead all the public colleges and universities in Oklahoma. Before this, he was a member of the Oklahoma Senate from 2006 to 2014. In the Senate, he helped make laws for the state.
Sean Burrage is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, which is a Native American tribe. His father, Michael Burrage, was a judge and a lawyer for the Choctaw Nation.
In 2006, Sean Burrage was chosen to be a state senator. He served until 2014. After that, he became the president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. He worked there until 2019. Then, he moved to a leadership role at the University of Oklahoma. In October 2024, he was named the new chancellor for all of Oklahoma's public colleges. He started this important job on December 2.
Sean Burrage's Early Life and Education
Sean Burrage grew up in Antlers, Oklahoma. His family is part of the Choctaw Nation. His father, Michael Burrage, was the main lawyer for the Choctaw Nation.
Sean Burrage went to the University of Oklahoma. He earned a business degree in 1990. Then, he studied law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law from 1990 to 1993. He became a lawyer.
After finishing law school, Burrage worked for the University of Oklahoma. He helped with state and federal government matters until 1996. Later, he joined a law firm. He was recognized for helping children in court without charging them. He also helped many companies with legal issues in Oklahoma.
His Time in the Oklahoma Senate
In 2006, Sean Burrage was elected to represent District 2 in the Oklahoma Senate. This district includes Rogers and Mayes County.
As a state senator, Burrage helped write or create more than 50 laws that were passed. He was part of several groups that worked on new laws. One of these was the 2008 group that looked at "Oklahoma's Promise." This program helps students pay for college. In 2007, he was named the "Best Newcomer Legislator of the Year" by a higher education group. He was reelected in 2010. From 2012 to 2014, he was the Senate Minority Floor Leader. This meant he was the main leader for his political party in the Senate. He decided not to run for reelection in 2014.
Leadership in Higher Education
In May 2014, Sean Burrage became the 20th president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. As president, he helped the university run more smoothly. He also helped more students sign up for both undergraduate and graduate classes.
Burrage was also a leader for other college presidents in Oklahoma. He was part of Governor Mary Fallin's group that advised on education in 2015. He also joined a group in 2017 that planned for the future of higher education. He served on boards for the Rogers State University Foundation and the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. These groups help support education.
In September 2019, Burrage announced he would leave his job as president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He took a new role at the University of Oklahoma. There, he became the Vice President for Executive Affairs.
On October 9, 2024, Sean Burrage was chosen as the 10th chancellor of the Oklahoma State System for Higher Education. This system includes 25 colleges and universities across Oklahoma. His first day as chancellor was December 2.
