Students at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Forensic Science Institute are set to benefit from increased resources due to a recent significant investment. House Bill 2766, the Fiscal Year 2026 general appropriations bill, includes a $10 million appropriation to expand UCO’s Forensic Science Institute. According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the funds will be allocated through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE).
The funding represents a significant effort to improve educational facilities that prepare students for roles in local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement. Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, praised the initiative, highlighting that the investment “reaffirms what we already know: that the Forensic Science Institute plays a vital role serving our communities, supporting law enforcement and public safety, training Oklahoma’s students and advancing the field of study.” Harris views the funding as a move toward supporting the future of justice in Oklahoma and beyond, as reported by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Since its establishment in 2009, UCO’s Forensic Science Institute has expanded to include over 1,000 students and nine degree programs, covering practical fields such as Forensic Investigations, Digital Forensics, and Forensic Molecular Biology. The institute has become a key part of forensic science education. UCO President Todd G. Lamb recognized Representative Erick Harris’s significant contribution, noting that without his leadership and support in the House of Representatives, the essential funding for the institute to meet workforce demands for trained graduates would not have been secured…