Nigh Scholars, including RSU’s Cambrey Harrison, pose for a photo with former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh and current Chancellor for the State Regents for Higher Education Sean Burrage.
Rogers State University student Cambrey Harrison is a high-achiever.
Only a junior, Harrison works with local non-profit Volunteers for Youth, and is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, for whom she has served on various committees, such as the Random Acts of Kindness Committee, for which she is a co-chair.
RSU student Cambrey Harrison (right) with former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh
Recently, Harrison added something else to her growing list of accomplishments when she was named a 2025 George Nigh Scholarship recipient.
Students selected for the scholarship must exhibit strong leadership qualities, demonstrate community involvement, present academic achievement, and have graduated from an Oklahoma high school. Selected students received a $1,000 scholarship and attended the Nigh Leadership Academy.
As a scholarship recipient, Harrison – along with other college students from across Oklahoma – attended the George Nigh Leadership Academy in Oklahoma City from Feb. 1-4, where she engaged with state legislators and attended development sessions on expanding personal skills and understanding leadership.
“It was such an honor to have been selected for this scholarship,” Harrison said, “and the leadership academy was a tremendous opportunity for me. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I learned so much. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
At the academy, Harris met with various Oklahoma leaders – including former Governor George Nigh himself – who have worked to better the state, all of whom inspired her and the other academy participants to follow their passions to enact progress in the state at every level.
RSU student Cambrey Harrison poses in the rotunda at the Oklahoma Capitol
“Getting to talk to the politicians was very eye-opening for me because I really got to understand them better, to see their heart, what motivates them and why they got into politics in the first place – to make positive changes,” she said. “Even though they’re on different sides politically, many of them – like Governor Nigh – are highly respected because of their character and how fairly they treat others, even people they might not agree with. You don’t really get to see that side of them on TV.”
In addition to the opportunity to meet with state leaders, academy attendees went on several outings around Oklahoma City, such as the First Americans Museum and the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which Cambrey described as “profound and moving.”
“That was my first time to go through the Oklahoma City memorial – it was a lot to take in,” she said. “It’s hard to put into words – all the emotions it brought out, but it was an incredibly impactful experience for me, for everyone who went through it, really.”
Harrison said she’ll take the experiences and lessons gleaned from the academy with her for the rest of her life.
Harrison is a native of Cushing and is double majoring in political science and psychology. She is currently on track to graduate from RSU in the spring 2026 semester, after which, she is considering attending law school.
The George Nigh Leadership Academy is supported by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, which contracts with the Nigh Academy for implementation. During the history of the academy, more than 600 students have been awarded the title of Nigh Scholars. Many past students have become members of the State Legislature, county commissioners, mayors, city councilors, lawyers, doctors, teachers, federal and state officials, business leaders, and higher education administrators and professors.
Rogers State University’s President’s Leadership Class (PLC) is a four-year scholarship program designed to develop leadership skills and enhance the academic experience. PLC provides an environment for exceptional students to foster their personal and professional development. PLC members represent a diverse group of RSU’s most ambitious and promising students, who work closely with student groups and university administration to enhance services to students and the community.