As Oklahoma Rethinks the College Degree, Former Langston Business Dean Calls for Rebuilding in the Age of AI
As Oklahoma rethinks the cost, speed, and value of a college degree, former Langston University School of Business Dean Dr. Daryl D. Green urges higher education leaders to look beyond shorter degrees and new technology. Through The Nehemiah Blueprint, Green argues that colleges must prepare students for an AI-shaped economy while protecting the human judgment, creativity, relationships and dignity that technology cannot replace.
Oklahoma City, OK, August 28, 2026 --(PR.com)-- As Oklahoma higher education leaders rethink how quickly, affordably and effectively students can earn degrees that lead to meaningful careers, former Langston University School of Business Dean Dr. Daryl D. Green says another question deserves attention: Are Oklahoma colleges preparing students for the economy that is emerging — or the one that is disappearing?
The question comes as Oklahoma moves toward significant higher education changes. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently established a framework for accelerated bachelor’s degree programs requiring between 90 and 119 credit hours, part of a broader effort to lower costs and move graduates into the workforce faster. The state is also investing in artificial intelligence across public higher education as employers increasingly seek workers with AI and digital skills.
Green believes those changes create an opportunity for Oklahoma to think beyond simply adding technology or shortening degrees.
“The question isn’t whether Oklahoma should embrace AI. We should,” Green said. “The harder question is whether we can prepare students for an AI-shaped economy while protecting the judgment, relationships, creativity and human dignity that education is supposed to develop.”
Green has launched The Nehemiah Blueprint, a leadership initiative focused on helping higher education, business, nonprofit, faith and community leaders rebuild institutions in an age of disruption.
His perspective crosses two distinctive parts of Oklahoma higher education. Before becoming a dean, Green served as a business professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, a private Christian institution, where he taught and mentored students preparing for careers and leadership. He later led the School of Business at Langston University, Oklahoma’s only Historically Black College and University, as dean.
At Langston, Green helped lead a measurable turnaround. When he became dean in January 2024, enrollment had fallen to roughly 270 students and accreditation concerns remained unresolved. Two years later, enrollment had grown past 416 students — a 54 percent increase — and the program had moved from unranked to No. 39 among 89 HBCU business schools nationally, with students achieving top 1 percent performance on the Peregrine Business Exam.
Green says his experience in both a private Christian university and a public HBCU has reinforced the same lesson: technology matters. However, students still need professors, mentors and institutions willing to develop the whole person. “We are planting a garden, not building a nuclear plant,” Green said. “We don’t have to wait until every answer about AI is known before we begin preparing people for what is coming. We can experiment, learn, adjust and keep students at the center.”
The Nehemiah Blueprint is built around one conviction: People rebuild the future, not machines.
Green believes Oklahoma’s size, educational diversity and entrepreneurial culture can become advantages if institutions are willing to move with urgency while protecting human judgment and dignity.
“Oklahoma doesn’t simply need more technology,” Green said. “We need people who know how to use technology wisely, lead through uncertainty and help their communities rebuild. That is where I believe Oklahoma can lead.”
Join the Conversation
The public is invited to follow Dr. Green’s work at www.darylgreen.org, connect with him on LinkedIn, and subscribe to The Nehemiah Blueprint on Substack: https://substack.com/@nuleadership. Watch Dr. Green’s brief welcome at https://youtu.be/gXX6vYmRP34?si=2rReS-1U9rd0QFby. Dr. Green is available for interviews with Oklahoma and national media and for conversations with higher education, business, nonprofit, faith and community leaders.
About Dr. Daryl D. Green
Dr. Daryl D. Green is an educator, researcher, author, entrepreneur and former Dean of the School of Business at Langston University. He previously served as a business professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, a private Christian institution.
Across careers in engineering, higher education and entrepreneurship, he has helped leaders navigate disruption with wisdom and purpose. He is the author of The Dean’s Devotional: 21 Proverbs for Academic Leadership, with proceeds supporting student scholarships at Langston University. Through The Nehemiah Blueprint, he helps leaders and communities think about how people rebuild in an age of rapid technological change.
The question comes as Oklahoma moves toward significant higher education changes. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently established a framework for accelerated bachelor’s degree programs requiring between 90 and 119 credit hours, part of a broader effort to lower costs and move graduates into the workforce faster. The state is also investing in artificial intelligence across public higher education as employers increasingly seek workers with AI and digital skills.
Green believes those changes create an opportunity for Oklahoma to think beyond simply adding technology or shortening degrees.
“The question isn’t whether Oklahoma should embrace AI. We should,” Green said. “The harder question is whether we can prepare students for an AI-shaped economy while protecting the judgment, relationships, creativity and human dignity that education is supposed to develop.”
Green has launched The Nehemiah Blueprint, a leadership initiative focused on helping higher education, business, nonprofit, faith and community leaders rebuild institutions in an age of disruption.
His perspective crosses two distinctive parts of Oklahoma higher education. Before becoming a dean, Green served as a business professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, a private Christian institution, where he taught and mentored students preparing for careers and leadership. He later led the School of Business at Langston University, Oklahoma’s only Historically Black College and University, as dean.
At Langston, Green helped lead a measurable turnaround. When he became dean in January 2024, enrollment had fallen to roughly 270 students and accreditation concerns remained unresolved. Two years later, enrollment had grown past 416 students — a 54 percent increase — and the program had moved from unranked to No. 39 among 89 HBCU business schools nationally, with students achieving top 1 percent performance on the Peregrine Business Exam.
Green says his experience in both a private Christian university and a public HBCU has reinforced the same lesson: technology matters. However, students still need professors, mentors and institutions willing to develop the whole person. “We are planting a garden, not building a nuclear plant,” Green said. “We don’t have to wait until every answer about AI is known before we begin preparing people for what is coming. We can experiment, learn, adjust and keep students at the center.”
The Nehemiah Blueprint is built around one conviction: People rebuild the future, not machines.
Green believes Oklahoma’s size, educational diversity and entrepreneurial culture can become advantages if institutions are willing to move with urgency while protecting human judgment and dignity.
“Oklahoma doesn’t simply need more technology,” Green said. “We need people who know how to use technology wisely, lead through uncertainty and help their communities rebuild. That is where I believe Oklahoma can lead.”
Join the Conversation
The public is invited to follow Dr. Green’s work at www.darylgreen.org, connect with him on LinkedIn, and subscribe to The Nehemiah Blueprint on Substack: https://substack.com/@nuleadership. Watch Dr. Green’s brief welcome at https://youtu.be/gXX6vYmRP34?si=2rReS-1U9rd0QFby. Dr. Green is available for interviews with Oklahoma and national media and for conversations with higher education, business, nonprofit, faith and community leaders.
About Dr. Daryl D. Green
Dr. Daryl D. Green is an educator, researcher, author, entrepreneur and former Dean of the School of Business at Langston University. He previously served as a business professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, a private Christian institution.
Across careers in engineering, higher education and entrepreneurship, he has helped leaders navigate disruption with wisdom and purpose. He is the author of The Dean’s Devotional: 21 Proverbs for Academic Leadership, with proceeds supporting student scholarships at Langston University. Through The Nehemiah Blueprint, he helps leaders and communities think about how people rebuild in an age of rapid technological change.
Contact
AGSM Consulting LLC
Dr. Daryl D. Green
865-602-7858
nuleadership.com
Dr. Daryl D. Green
865-602-7858
nuleadership.com
Contact
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Preparing Langston Students for a Disruptive Future
Dr. Daryl D. Green engaged students at Langston University during his tenure as School of Business dean. His work emphasized career readiness, innovative teaching and preparing students to lead and adapt in a rapidly changing economy.
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