Redefining energy education: UTulsa's curriculum prepares students for a sustainable future - The University of Tulsa
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Redefining energy education: UTulsa’s curriculum prepares students for a sustainable future

Growing up in New Mexico where her family operates an oil and gas business, Ileana Braddock was surrounded by people whose livelihoods were impacted by the booms and busts of the industry.

Ileana Braddock

“Coming into UTulsa, I had only ever considered traditional oil and gas as a credible means of energy production,” said Braddock, who is studying energy management and finance with a minor in real estate and will graduate in May. “My coursework at The University of Tulsa not only exposed me to facets of the industry such as transmission and distribution but also the benefits and drawbacks of different forms of energy production I had no idea existed. The structure of our curriculum—which is truly unique—is that it teaches on the basis of facts not opinions.” That’s just the sort of thing Anne Grau likes to hear. She is an applied assistant professor of practice in UTulsa’s Collins College of Business with several decades of experience in the energy industry. Grau said the energy management program is one of only nine such programs in the United States and one of two offered by a private institution.

“Students become fluent in the current energy landscape of traditional, alternative, renewable, and emerging energy,” Grau said. “Courses involve practical and applied education in wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, carbon management, hydrothermal, hydrogen, small-scale nuclear, and nuclear fusion as well as traditional energy such as coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels.”

Anne Grau

Grau said the future of careers in the energy industry is marked by a mix of challenges and exciting opportunities, driven by technological advancements, global energy transitions, and a heightened focus on sustainability.

“In today’s job market, roles in renewable energy, such as solar and wind technicians, renewable energy engineers, and specialists in battery technology, are in high demand,” she said. “Additionally, professions related to energy efficiency, electric vehicles, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis, data analytics, and nuclear energy play key roles in the evolving energy landscape.”

Eric Olson, director of UTulsa’s Center for Energy Studies, said the programs have evolved to reflect the industry’s changing landscape, especially with regard to nuclear power, carbon pricing, and renewables. “Curriculum modifications were made to include more midstream companies, adding courses like geographic information services and environmental health and safety,” he said. “The faculty plans to add more courses focused on nuclear power, renewables, sustainability, and alternative energy.”

Sustainability was a key topic in many classes, said Daniel Dobson, who graduated in December 2022 with a Master of Energy Business. “This reflects the fact that UTulsa has its finger on the pulse of the energy industry,” he added. Jared Crawford graduated with a bachelor’s degree in energy management in December and is a commercial analyst for Trillium Energy Solutions’ Zero Emissions team.

“I think that people should know that energy management is more than just a land program. People should know that energy is a rapidly evolving industry and that the energy management program is an excellent place to learn, grow, and develop yourself professionally,” he said.

Buford Boyd Pollett, director of Energy Management/Master of Energy Business programs, said UTulsa prepares students to offer solutions and constructive thinking. “Our students are really good at assessing the situation,” he said. “Whether it’s a regulation, whether it’s a technical issue, whether it’s a financial issue – some people view those as challenges – we view them as opportunities, and I think students are really good at doing that.”

Braddock said her education at UTulsa has changed her binary thinking toward the industry. It’s not simply pitting oil and gas against solar and wind, she added.

“Instead of thinking it’s one or the other, I am now asking, ‘Why not both?’ Our curriculum aims to provide the tools necessary to come to your own conclusions and formulate questions as an individual. You are not molded by the opinions imposed on you but rather assume your own form based on the viewpoint you create from the facts you are presented with.”