Authors
Staci Elder Hensley
Independent Journalist
Former newspaper reporter Staci Elder Hensley is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, she is a former news coordinator for both the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She served as a regular columnist for The Daily Oklahoman and Distinctly Oklahoma magazine, and her credits also include articles produced for multiple state and national publications, including The Journal Record, The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News, and others.
Recent Articles
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Higher Education
OU seminar says male-female is ‘too limiting,’ marginalizes the ‘gender fluid’
The presentation materials stated that LGBTQ+ people are negatively impacted by being socialized into an environment that only offers two positively received gender options, male or female.Staci Elder Hensley | December 14, 2021
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Higher Education
As OU touts ‘gender-affirming’ care, ex-transgenders warn against it
A June 25 presentation at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) provides further evidence that another controversial topic is making its way into the medical and cultural mainstream.Staci Elder Hensley | July 19, 2021
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Culture & the Family
Drag queen story time, other Pride Month activities featured at OKC libraries
In keeping with the nationwide trend, the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System is once again hosting Pride Month activities at all 19 of its branch locations throughout the month of June.Staci Elder Hensley | June 23, 2021
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Higher Education
Landmark lawsuit targets Christian higher education
One of Oklahoma’s largest faith-based universities is among 25 higher education institutions named in a federal class-action lawsuit recently brought against the U.S. Department of Education.Staci Elder Hensley | May 6, 2021
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Higher Education
‘Living beyond gender’: UCO faculty discuss pronoun use
“Pronouns in the Classroom” was the subject of a recent virtual roundtable discussion among University of Central Oklahoma faculty and staff.Staci Elder Hensley | March 23, 2021
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Education
Many Norman parents unhappy with district’s handling of back-to-school learning
Initially, Norman Public Schools offered parents a back-to-school choice of on-site, virtual, or “blended” curriculum for K-12 students. In mid-August, the decision was abruptly made to start the year with virtual classes only. After only a couple of weeks the guidelines changed again.Staci Elder Hensley | September 16, 2020
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Education
Tax-credit scholarships help kids find the right fit
What is the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program, and why does it matter? Several families who have received scholarships from the program share their life-changing experiences.Staci Elder Hensley | January 6, 2020
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Culture & the Family
A beautiful tapestry: WovenLife blends all ages, abilities, into one big family
WovenLife puts seniors and young children in the same environment, resulting in significant social and developmental benefits for both. The Oklahoma City-based nonprofit takes that concept a step further by also integrating a large number of special-needs children.Staci Elder Hensley | November 7, 2019
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Education
School-voucher program is helping Oklahoma foster kids
Thanks to an expansion of the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program, caregivers and adoptive parents of foster children can enroll students in a private school of their choosing that aligns more closely with their child’s specific needs.Staci Elder Hensley | August 3, 2019
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Education
Study finds school choice improves mental health
School choice plays a significant role in improving overall student mental health, including lowering adolescent suicide rates. That’s according to a groundbreaking new study.Staci Elder Hensley | April 3, 2019
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