In this photo, Shannon Miller performs her gold medal-winning balance beam routine during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Photo by Dave Black.

Beyond Olympic Gold: Shannon Miller on Work, Failure and the Strength to Ask for Help

September 4, 2026Brooks Nickell

Shannon Miller put it plainly: “The trouble is, you cannot outwork cancer.”

For most of her life, Miller could measure progress in repetitions: one more push-up, one more routine, one more landing. The girl who grew up in Edmond turned those ordinary days of work into an extraordinary career, winning seven Olympic medals and two world all-around championships before her 20th birthday.

Then a rare form of ovarian cancer forced Miller to reconsider the self-reliance that had carried her so far. Determination still mattered. Discipline still mattered. But neither could replace the help of a team.

Miller said, “My cancer diagnosis and treatment was a curveball I never saw coming. I was always a workhorse in the gym. I was not the most talented, the strongest, or the most flexible, but I would outwork anyone.”

Miller will share lessons from her athletic career, cancer diagnosis and life beyond gymnastics at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium at Seminole State College. The event is free and open to the public. Her presentation is part of the 2026 “Wellbeing and Resilience” theme of SSC’s Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions program and will serve as a culminating event for the final year of the College’s current five-year NASNTI grant.

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This photo shows the front of the North Rock creek Highschool building.

College Starts Early for More Than 100 North Rock Creek Students

September 3, 2026Josh Hutton

Nearly one in every five students at North Rock Creek High School is also a Seminole State College student.

This fall, 106 of North Rock Creek High School’s approximately 500 students are taking SSC courses through concurrent enrollment, the largest group from any single high school at the College. Those students represent nearly 47% of the school’s 227 juniors and seniors.

The milestone is particularly notable for a young high school. North Rock Creek began offering high school courses in 2018 and moved students into its new high school building in 2019. Its first senior class graduated in 2022.

Behind the enrollment figure is a coordinated system that begins months before students enter an online college classroom. North Rock Creek High School Counselors Jennifer Barnett and Ashley Moody meet with students and families each spring to introduce concurrent enrollment and identify those who are interested.

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Mistletoe Conference plaques from 1938 and 39.

The Municipal Colleges That Brought Higher Education Home

September 2, 2026September 4, 2026Josh Hutton

Long before community colleges became a familiar part of Oklahoma higher education, students in many towns could graduate from high school and return to the same building for their first year of college.

These institutions were known as municipal junior colleges, although the name was not entirely accurate. They were governed by local school districts rather than municipal governments. Most operated as extensions of public high schools, adding grades 13 and 14 to the district’s educational program.

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SSC Begins Demolition of Former Dormitory

September 2, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, an ariel view shows a track hoe as it tears down the former S. J. Sarkeys Dormitory on the east side of the Seminole State College campus. — Seminole State College began demolition of the former S. J. Sarkeys Dormitory on Sept. 2, removing a long-vacant campus building completed more than four decades ago. Built in 1983, the two-story, 44-bed residence hall once housed male and female students. One-time deferred-maintenance funding allowed the College to safely remove the structure after deterioration, mold and other safety concerns made it a liability.

In this photo, pictured from left, Talent Search Advisor Amanda Thomas, TRIO Accounting Clerk Yahnah Factor, Talent Search Advisor Damaris Haney, Talent Search Director Karan O’Dor and Talent Search Advisor Rachelle Jones pose for a group photo.

SSC Awarded $1.25 Million Federal Grant

September 2, 2026Josh Hutton

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Seminole State College’s Talent Search-West program a $1.25 million grant to continue providing college preparation and academic support services to area middle and high school students.

Talent Search-West will receive $250,000 annually for five years. The program will serve 500 students at seven schools: Earlsboro, Macomb, Maud, McLoud, Pleasant Grove, Shawnee and Tecumseh.

The program serves students in grades 6-12, providing resources and guidance designed to help participants remain in school, graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education.

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In this photo, AJ Cutler, IT administrator for The Academies of Oklahoma, assists student Gabe Jones with operating a camera during production of the short film “Stay Awake.” Actors Jaxon Davis, Krislee Tobey, Olivia Bennight and Mia Clark are pictured in the background.

The Academy of Seminole to Premiere Student-Created Short Film at SSC

September 1, 2026Josh Hutton

The Academy of Seminole will showcase the work of student filmmakers during a public premiere of the original short film “Stay Awake” on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium at Seminole State College. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

The event, presented by The Academies of Oklahoma, will feature a gold carpet and premiere-style experience for students, families and community members. Attendees will also have an opportunity to view behind-the-scenes footage from the film’s production.

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In this photo, Seven Seminole State College employees, who were recognized as “Legacy Builders” during the College’s annual Fall In-Service on Aug. 12, pose for a group photo. Pictured from left are Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford, Associate Professor of English and Distance Education Coordinator Dr. Mindy Choate, Director of Physical Plant Clint Robertson, Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz, Director of Athletics Leslie Sewell, Director of Enrollment Management Edie Cathey and Associate Professor of Agriculture Wendy Rich.

SSC Honors Seven Employees as Legacy Builders at Fall In-Service

August 31, 2026August 31, 2026Josh Hutton

Seven Seminole State College employees were recognized as “Legacy Builders” during the College’s annual Fall In-Service on Aug. 12. The recognition was part of this year’s “Brick by Brick: Building on 95 Years of Excellence” theme and highlighted employees whose recent achievements have strengthened the College, advanced student success and expanded SSC’s impact on campus and throughout the state.

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USA Esports Team Manager Shares Lessons on Leadership at SSC

August 28, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, USA Esports National Team Manager Daniel Clerke (left) and Maryville University senior Nick Wiseman (right) give a presentation at Seminole State College.

Seminole State College hosted USA Esports National Team Manager Daniel Clerke (left) and Maryville University senior Nick Wiseman (right) for a presentation on Aug. 27 in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium. The event was hosted by the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions federal grant program. Clerke discussed his philosophy of treating esports like other youth sports, using competition to teach discipline, teamwork, personal responsibility and the importance of physical and mental well-being.

In this photo, USA Esports National Team Manager Daniel Clerke and Maryville University senior Nick Wiseman interact with SSC students and employees in the College’s new Esports Lab on Aug. 27.

USA Esports National Team Manager Daniel Clerke and Maryville University senior Nick Wiseman interact with SSC students and employees in the College’s new Esports Lab on Aug. 27. Clerke visited SSC to present “Beyond the Game: Leadership, Competition and Careers in Esports” and discuss leadership, competition and career opportunities within the growing esports industry.

In this photo, President’s Leadership Class XX students pose for a group photo. pictured from the front, standing on floor, from left: Kennadee Mason, Kaitlyn Smith, Stevie Hogue, Lydia Reece, Braylon Henry, Aven Goodlin, Brayden Davis, Brianna Roller and Logan Janaway. Seated, from left: Addison Whisenhunt, Trenna Walls and Serenity Blakely. Standing on truck, from left: Keyan Brown, Brooke Robb, Camrynn Watkins, Miley Wafford, Mia Reich, Nolan Lindley, KC Reiser, Kaleb McAlester, Kale Johnson, Wyatt Hampton and Ethan Arrant.

SSC Announces New President’s Leadership Class

August 27, 2026Josh Hutton

Seminole State College has selected 23 freshmen students for Class XX of the President’s Leadership Class.

The leadership students, along with their parents and guardians, attended a welcome reception at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The event introduced students to the program’s emphasis on leadership, community involvement and service.

During the reception, SSC President Lana Reynolds welcomed the students and their families. Members of SSC’s Administrative Council who participated in the question-and-answer session 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.

Eileen Castle, Executive Director of the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, delivered a message encouraging students to embrace the importance of play and engagement in their daily lives. She also highlighted meaningful ways to get involved in the local community through volunteerism.

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In this photo, Shannon Miller holds up her Olympic medals while sitting for a photo.

SSC to Host Seven-Time Olympic Medalist Shannon Miller

August 24, 2026Josh Hutton

Seminole State College’s Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions program will host seven-time Olympic medalist, ovarian cancer survivor and health advocate Shannon Miller at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium on the SSC campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The presentation will serve as a culminating event for the final year of SSC’s current five-year NASNTI grant. The program’s 2026 theme, “Wellbeing and Resilience,” focuses on providing students with resources and strategies to support their personal well-being and academic success.

Following Miller’s presentation, audience members will have an opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session and photo opportunity.

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