Diane Watkins Named Fifteenth President of Northern Oklahoma College

Diane Watkins has been named the fifteenth president of Northern Oklahoma College. Her official presidency began on June 1, after six months of service as interim president.

Northern Oklahoma College is a 2-year public school located in Tonkawa, with satellite branches in Enid and Stillwater. The main Tonkawa campus enrolls over 3,200 students, 61 percent of whom are women.

Watkins began her higher education career in 2000 as an academic counselor in the Oklahoma State University Honors College. She transitioned to Northern Oklahoma College Stillwater as an adjunct professor in the language arts department, ultimately joining the faculty full-time in 2007. In 2019, she was appointed vice president of the Stillwater campus, overseeing the college’s gateway program with Oklahoma State University.

“I am very grateful the regents have entrusted me with the opportunity to serve the college in this capacity,” said Watkins. “Our tag line at NOC is Life Changing, and for me that is much more than just a catchy phrase on our materials. My father’s community college experience changed the trajectory of his life, and therefore of mine. I’m excited to work with our amazing staff, faculty, and executive council to more efficiently and effectively provide those life changing experiences for our students.”

Watkins holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education and a master’s degree in teaching learning and leadership from Oklahoma State University, where she is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education and student affairs.