Seminole State College will commemorate Constitution Day with a special presentation by Social Sciences Division Chair and Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. in the Haney Center Lecture Hall. Entitled “The Story of the Bill of Rights,” the talk will explore the historical roots of civil liberties, the drafting and ratification of the first ten amendments and their evolving application over the past 200 years. Complimentary pocket-sized U.S. Constitutions will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. Pictured: Christiansen speaks at last year’s Constitution Day event.
Seminole State College Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles, Assistant Professor Paul B. Smith, J.D, Assistant Professor Dr. Brenda Prochaska and Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen pose for a photo following a meeting about the College’s Paralegal program, set to launch in the fall of 2026.
Seminole State College has hired Paul B. Smith, J.D. and Dr. Brenda Prochaska as Assistant Professors in the College’s Social Sciences Division. Smith, a former District Attorney for Oklahoma’s 22nd Judicial District, will help the College prepare to launch an Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies in August 2026.
Smith served as District Attorney for District 22 — which includes Seminole, Hughes and Pontotoc counties — from January 2017 to January 2023. He previously held leadership roles in the office, including First Assistant District Attorney and Chief Prosecutor beginning in 2011, and Assistant District Attorney from 1990 to 2011.
During his tenure, Smith prosecuted major felony cases across the district, including a 2017 “no-body” child-abuse murder case — a homicide pursued without the victim’s remains — that drew state and national attention. He also led or participated in appellate and policy work related to jurisdictional changes following McGirt v. Oklahoma. He was admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, authorizing him to file briefs and appear before the court.
Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class visited Riversport in Oklahoma City on Sept. 4 to learn about the Boathouse District and participate in team-building exercises. Pictured: students take part in the Dragon Boat Challenge on the Oklahoma River, working together to steer.
PLC students test their rhythm and endurance in Riversport’s Boathouse Experience, an indoor rowing simulator.
State Sen. Mark Mann (D-District 46), who represents Del City and parts of Oklahoma City, speaks with students before dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Sen. Mann shared updates on 2028 Olympic events planned for OKC, including rowing and softball, and discussed tourism’s statewide impact. He then concluded his talk with details about student-focused legislation and ways to get involved in local and state government.
The Seminole State College men’s golf team opened its fall season with a first-place finish at the Southwestern Christian Invitational. Pictured (left to right): Colt Moore of Haskell, Texas, Eli Coleman of Choctaw, Joseph Williams of Sutton Coldfield, England, Corey Boles of Choctaw, Cayden Sherwood of Cushing, Quinlan Guenard of Court-Saint, Belgium, Bryson Parker of Purcell, Koda Chavez of Cushing, Cooper Mercer of Fort Worth, Texas, Ethan Robbin of Spiro.
Seminole State College’s men’s golf team won the Southwestern Christian Invitational, and the women finished second, at Earlywine Golf Course in Oklahoma City on Sept. 2-3.
The men were eight shots off the lead and in third place with 18 holes to play before posting their best round of the tournament to secure first. Bryson Parker led the charge with a 2-under 70 in the final round and finished second individually at 2-over par for three rounds.
The SSC women’s golf team earned a second-place finish at the Southwestern Christian Invitational. Pictured (left to right): Rylee Cummins of Clinton, Audrey Cooper of Fort Gibson, Addison McAlister of Midwest City, Chelsea Powell of Edmond, Peyton Black of Midwest City, Katelyn Rigsby of Fort Gibson, Addyson Larman of Washington, Avery Wharton of Wilson, Renee Friend of Seminole, Shelby Ellis of Oklahoma City.
The women placed second behind a closing-day surge that featured three rounds in the 70s: a 77 from Katelyn Rigsby, a 78 from Chelsea Powell and a 79 from Peyton Black. Black finished sixth individually.
Seminole State was the only two-year college in a field of 10 teams.
“I was very proud of how our men and women competed. We’ll build on this and look forward to a good season,” Head Coach Ronnie Williamson said.
Freshmen members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class attended a reception at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Aug. 26.
Seminole State College has selected 26 freshmen students for Class XIX of the President’s Leadership Class.
The leadership students, along with their parents, attended a reception held at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Tuesday, August 26.
SSC President Lana Reynolds opened the evening with a warm welcome to students and their families. Members of the college’s Administrative Council then shared insights about their departments and how they contribute to student success. Speakers included Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs; Melanie Rinehart, Vice President for Finance, Grants & Enrollment; Jessica Isaacs, Dean of Instruction; and Marc Hunter, Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer.
With the start of the fall semester, SSC is now offering free virtual health support to all students.
Seminole State College has launched TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform that gives SSC students 24/7 access to care at no cost and without traditional insurance barriers, delivered by licensed physicians and counselors in all 50 states.
Students can use TimelyCare on a phone or other device to get on-demand or scheduled medical care, TalkNow for immediate emotional support, mental health counseling by appointment (up to six sessions each academic year), health coaching, basic needs assistance, care navigation, a peer support community and digital self-care resources.
With classes beginning Aug. 18 for the fall semester, Seminole State College welcomed students back to campus. Each day, SSC Student Activities offered free programming for students to enjoy as part of “Welcome Week,” including Waffles on a Stick, a welcome-back barbecue with an esports demo, a photo booth for back-to-school pics and do-it-yourself air plants.
Students fill the Jeff Johnston Auditorium during Seminole State College’s New Student Orientation on Aug. 16. The program introduced campus technology, financial aid and student support resources, and offered time to connect with faculty and staff. Classes began at SSC on Aug. 18, but enrollment remains open through Aug. 22.SSC Student Support Services/SSS STEM Director Jana Wilson-Byrd (left) and President Lana Reynolds (right) welcomed students as the New Student Orientation event began.“Pick Your Professor,” a game-show skit where a student interviews professors to find the best fit for their learning style, takes the stage during New Student Orientation on Aug. 16. Pictured, from left: Director of Communications Josh Hutton, Student Support Services Tutor Shannon Bennett, Assistant Professor of Business and Education Brad Schatzel, Student Support Services Advisor Megan Goff and Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle.
Growing up in Seminole County, my family ran a small grocery store. It wasn’t just a place for buying essentials — it was a hub of community life. People came to exchange news, swap stories and even engage in spirited political debate. I still remember the thrill of campaign season, when candidates would make our store a regular stop. It wasn’t uncommon to see someone in slacks and a sport coat shaking hands in front of our gas pumps, explaining their vision for the future of our county.
Incoming students and their families will gather at Seminole State College’s Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium for New Student Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature sessions on financial aid, campus technology, student resources and opportunities to connect with faculty, staff and peers before the fall semester begins.
Seminole State College will welcome incoming students and their families to campus for New Student Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium.
The annual event is designed to help students transition into college life, connect with campus resources and start the semester with confidence.
The day will begin at 11 a.m. with a joint welcome for students and parents in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium. At 11:30 a.m., parents will move to Social Sciences Room 104 for a session titled Financial Aid 101, while students remain in the auditorium for Slay the Classroom, a presentation on utilizing campus technology and tips for academic success.
At 12:20 p.m., students and parents will reunite in the auditorium for Know Your Resources = Know Your Power, a session focused on student support services and tools available to help them succeed.
From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., attendees are invited to enjoy free snacks and socializing in the Boren Library.
“This orientation is a great opportunity for students to meet faculty and staff, ask questions, and get comfortable with our campus before classes begin,” SSC Student Support Services/SSS STEM Director Jana Wilson-Byrd said.
For more information, contact Wilson-Byrd at j.wilsonbyrd@sscok.edu. Classes begin at SSC on Aug. 18 and enrollment remains open through Aug. 22.
