2026 Micropolitan Summit Welcomes U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education

On Feb. 6, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler will have a discussion with former Oklahoma State Superintendent and 1050 Forward Executive Advisor and Chair, Joy Hofmesiter, during the 1050 Forward Micropolitan Summit about how to best prepare students as future professionals and leaders. The annual summit is hosted by the 1050 Forward organization to convene leaders from communities with between 10,000 and 50,000 residents, known as micropolitan cities. Oklahoma boasts 18 micropolitan communities.

Assistant Secretary Baesler was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in October. Previously, she served as the North Dakota State Superintendent, elected in four consecutive elections since 2012. Working with a bipartisan approach, she led educational improvements that earned North Dakota top rankings in competency-based instruction, computer science and cybersecurity.

Hofmeister served as Oklahoma’s State Superintendent from 2015 to 2023, and she is the 1050 Forward executive advisor.

The summit, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., held at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center in Stillwater, OK, will address topics ranging from grant writing to economic development. The event is open to anyone believing small communities play a big role in Oklahoma’s future.

 1050 Forward seeks to equip micropolitan communities with leaders, tools and connections to remain vibrant. Micropolitans model pragmatic decision-making, bridge urban-rural divides and serve as hubs for surrounding communities. In addition to the summit, it is entering the third year of hosting 12 micropolitan leaders as fellows in a 10- to 12-month networking program.