OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed his senior adviser Thursday to the University of Oklahoma’s governing board.
He appointed Dustin Hilliary, who has also served as vice chair of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, to serve on the oversight board for the state’s largest university along with Cameron and Rogers State universities. A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office said Hilliary will remain in his role as an adviser and if confirmed, he will resign from the State Regents.
Assistant Secretary Dustin J. Hilliary, Regent Jeffrey W. Hickman and Regent Jack Sherry during the State Regent meeting in Oklahoma City on June 26.
“As a regent, he will put students first, insist on excellence in the classroom, and make sure OU is tightly aligned with the needs of Oklahoma employers across our state,” Stitt said in a statement. “Dustin is a proven leader in growing businesses and delivering results, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership we need on the OU Board of Regents.”
Hilliary’s term as a State Regent was not set to expire until 2031. Stitt appointed Hilliary as his adviser in September.
Hilliary, from Lawton, is also the co-CEO of Hilliary Communications, which provides telephone and broadband service to customers in Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa. He operates a real estate development company and is the co-publisher of Hilliary Media Group, which owns several publications, according to his State Regent biography.
He is also expected to serve as chair of the State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors beginning in June.
“Our flagship university must be a powerhouse for Oklahoma’s workforce, producing graduates who are ready to step into high‑demand jobs across our state,” he said in a statement. “As a business leader, I’ve seen firsthand how talent and innovation drive growth, and I look forward to working with my fellow regents to keep OU affordable, competitive, and laser‑focused on preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Hilliary’s appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. It was not immediately clear which senator would be carrying Hilliary’s nomination.
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