Tulsa Higher Education Consortium Executive Director Laura Latta will soon step into city government. She’s the next full-time, permanent director of the Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth and Families, set to start Nov. 1.
The office launched in 2025 with the first executive order signed by Mayor Monroe Nichols. Its mission was set to put 15,000 youth on the path to economic mobility over five years. In its first year, the office fell behind on several goals, but has announced plans to roll out new pilot programs tackling structural issues this fall.
A Tulsa native, former Union Public Schools teacher and parent to a Tulsa Public Schools student, Latta says it’s a meaningful next step.
“I’m honored to serve as the first Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth, and Families and to give back to the city that raised me and gave me every opportunity I have today,” Latta said in a statement Friday. “I look forward to working alongside our community members, leaders, and organizations to help ensure every child, youth, and family in Tulsa has the opportunity to thrive.”
The office’s budget allotted $137,000 for the new director’s “independent employment,” according to the mayor’s budget breakdown. That’s about half of the total budget with the remaining funds going to ImpactTulsa, the nonprofit contracted to run the office.
In its first year, half of the office’s funding went to six staff salaries at ImpactTulsa and the rest to the office’s programs. Over the first five months of operation, Ashley Philippsen, then-executive director of ImpactTulsa, earned $20,241.90 for her part-time work as co-chair — around $68 an hour. Philippsen transitioned into an advisory role with the office between January and May.
Latta was named the founding executive director of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium in July 2021. She holds a doctoral degree in instructional leadership and academic curriculum.
Before her role at the Higher Education Consortium, Latta also worked at ImpactTulsa as director of postsecondary partnerships and research. She serves as chair of the Tulsa Women’s Commission and has sat on the office’s Children’s Cabinet since it was established.
Several children’s cabinet members and city councilors shared support for Latta’s appointment in Friday’s city announcement.
“She brings a rare combination of intellect, compassion and proven leadership to everything she does,” said Union Superintendent John Federline. “Dr. Latta was Union Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2016 and she has always been a champion for students. I am so excited to see the positive impact she will make in this vitally important role.”
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