2019 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Lance Robertson (MPA ’15)

Lance Robertson has dedicated his career to public service.

After serving nearly a decade in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves, Robertson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1993 and later graduated from UCO, with honors, in 2015, with a master’s degree in public administration.

Robertson was an administrator for 12 years at OSU, where he co-founded the Gerontology Institute at OSU and directed the regional professional association Partnerships for Aging.

He then went on to serve as the director of aging services for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services from 2007-17.

In August 2017, Robertson was appointed by the White House administration as the assistant secretary for Aging for the Administration for Community Living, with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Additionally, Robertson has been involved with several professional and civic organizations, including serving as past president of the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities, as chairperson of the U.S. Access Board, as a board member on the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative and as a leader on Oklahoma’s

Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force.

Throughout his long career in aging and disability services, Robertson also has been recognized with several professional honors including the National Association of States United for Aging & Disabilities President’s Award, National Care Heroes Professional Award and the Oklahoma Aging Professional of the Year Award.

Robertson and his wife, Lori, have two daughters, who are both attending OSU. He and Lori reside in Washington, D.C.