SSC Board of Regents Approve Policy Updates, Haney Center Upgrade and Emeritus Status for Jacomo

March 26, 2026March 27, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, Chair the SSC Board of Regents Marci Donaho (left) congratulates retired Associate Professor of Sociology Tracy Jacomo (right) on receiving emeritus status following the meeting on March 26. — *_{Chair the SSC Board of Regents Marci Donaho (left) congratulates retired Associate Professor of Sociology Tracy Jacomo (right) on receiving emeritus status following the meeting on March 26.}*

At its March 26 meeting, the Seminole State College Board of Regents approved Board policy revisions, a lighting upgrade for the Enoch Kelly Haney Center and emeritus status for former SSC employee Tracy Jacomo.

SSC President Lana Reynolds spoke about personnel updates, campus activities, athletics, the Haney roof project and investment planning related to the MacKenzie Scott donation during her report to the Board. SSC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles and Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs presented to the Board about the College’s tenure policy.

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SSC Joins Read Across America, Encourages Young Readers

March 9, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, President Lana Reynolds and SSC sophomore Hannah Upchurch of Seminole read If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss to students at Wilson Elementary School in Seminole during Read Across America Week.

From March 2-6, Seminole State College employees and students shared their love of reading with students at Wilson Elementary School in Seminole during Read Across America Week. The nationwide initiative encourages children to explore literature, fostering empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Pictured: President Lana Reynolds and SSC sophomore Hannah Upchurch of Seminole read If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss on March 5.

In this photo, SSC freshmen and members of the men’s basketball team Kanaan Guerrero of Cushing and Jaden Johnson of Tulsa read Hey Grandude by Paul McCartney to Wilson Elementary students on March 3.

SSC freshmen and members of the men’s basketball team Kanaan Guerrero of Cushing and Jaden Johnson of Tulsa read Hey Grandude by Paul McCartney to Wilson Elementary students on March 3.

Accreditation Collaboration Brings NOC, SSC Leaders Together

February 27, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, pictured standing (left to right) are: Harli Dodge, NOC Director of Recruitment; Marc Hunter, SSC Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer; Dr. Mash Howard, NOC Stillwater VP; Kelli McBride, SSC Language Arts and Humanities Division Chair; Mechell Downey, SSC Director of Board Relations and Administrative Operations; Dr. Deanna Miles, SSC Accreditation Coordinator; Julie Huster Haney, NOC Academic Affairs Assistant; Dr. Kathleen Swain, NOC Director of First-Year Experience; Dr. Kathleen Otto, NOC Institutional Research; Emily Carpenter, SSC STEM Division Chair; and Cara Beth Johnson, NOX Business Faculty. Seated (left to right) are: Jeremy Hise, NOC Enid Vice President; Dr. Bill Knowles, SSC VP for Academic and Student Affairs; Dr. Shelly Mencacci, NOC Vice President for Academic Affairs; Lana Reynolds, SSC President; Jessica Isaacs, SSC Dean of Instruction; and Brad Schatzel, SSC Assistant Professor of Business and Education.

Administrators and staff from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Enid and Stillwater visited with Seminole State College leaders on Feb. 26 to discuss Higher Learning Commission accreditation efforts. Representatives from both institutions learned about methodology and shared ideas about required criteria related to Mission, Institutional Integrity, Student Success and Planning. Pictured standing (left to right) are: Harli Dodge, NOC Director of Recruitment; Marc Hunter, SSC Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer; Dr. Mash Howard, NOC Stillwater VP; Kelli McBride, SSC Language Arts and Humanities Division Chair; Mechell Downey, SSC Director of Board Relations and Administrative Operations; Dr. Deanna Miles, SSC Accreditation Coordinator; Julie Huster Haney, NOC Academic Affairs Assistant; Dr. Kathleen Swain, NOC Director of First-Year Experience; Dr. Kathleen Otto, NOC Institutional Research; Emily Carpenter, SSC STEM Division Chair; and Cara Beth Johnson, NOX Business Faculty. Seated (left to right) are: Jeremy Hise, NOC Enid Vice President; Dr. Bill Knowles, SSC VP for Academic and Student Affairs; Dr. Shelly Mencacci, NOC Vice President for Academic Affairs; Lana Reynolds, SSC President; Jessica Isaacs, SSC Dean of Instruction; and Brad Schatzel, SSC Assistant Professor of Business and Education.

SSC Staff Attend Summit for Dual Credit Programs

February 20, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, Seminole State College Concurrent Academic Advisor Cindy Nolen, Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey and Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs pose for a photo while attending the Summit for Dual Credit Programs.

Seminole State College Concurrent Academic Advisor Cindy Nolen, Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey and Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs attended the Summit for Dual Credit Programs Feb. 15-17 at the South Padre Island Convention Center in South Padre Island, Texas. Hosted by South Texas College and the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, the conference brought together K-12 and higher education leaders nationwide to share strategies and best practices to strengthen dual credit and concurrent enrollment programs, support student success and ensure college-level rigor in courses offered to high school students.

Story-Schell Achieves 450 Wins

February 17, 2026February 18, 2026Josh Hutton

In this photo, pictured (left to right): Athletic Director Leslie Sewell, sophomore forward Alona Cooper-Rochovitz, Story-Schell and SSC President Lana Reynolds pose for a photo at half court commemorating Rita Story-Schell's 450th win.

Seminole State College women’s basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell was honored during the Belles’ home game Monday, Feb. 16, after earning her 450th career win with a Feb. 12 victory over Western Oklahoma State College in Altus. Pictured (left to right): Athletic Director Leslie Sewell, sophomore forward Alona Cooper-Rochovitz, Story-Schell and SSC President Lana Reynolds.

In this photo, TRIO Office Manager Rejeanna Tidmore (left) and Associate Professor of Nursing Christine Clay (right) pose for a photo together.

Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

February 12, 2026February 13, 2026Josh Hutton

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Thursday, Feb. 12. TRIO Office Manager Rejeanna Tidmore was honored as Staff Member of the Month, and Associate Professor of Nursing Christine Clay was named Faculty Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognizes SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Honorees are nominated from across campus and selected by College administrators.

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In this photo, Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz is pictured along with a collection of his published books.

SSC Professor Releases Sixth Book

February 11, 2026Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz has released his sixth book, Katabasis, a new collection of poems published by Turning Plow Press.

In Katabasis, Juhasz explores grief, memory and the complicated work of recovery, using the ancient idea of a descent “into the world below” as a lens for modern life. Turning Plow Press describes the collection as a journey through darkness marked by loss, hope and the reality that “healing is not linear.”

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SSC to Host Presidents’ Day Program

February 10, 2026Josh Hutton

**_{Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen will deliver a special presentation on George Washington on Feb. 13 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center Lecture Hall.}**

Seminole State College will host a Presidents’ Day presentation, “George Washington: The Indispensable Man,” on Friday, Feb. 13. Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen will lead the program at 10 a.m. in the Haney Lecture Hall.

“This program will examine the unique and unrivaled importance of George Washington to the success of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States as a constitutional republic,” Christiansen said.

The presentation will cover Washington’s command of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War to his support of the new federal constitution and eight years of service as the nation’s first president.

The event is free and open to the public.

SSC to Offer Microsoft for Work Professionals Course

January 9, 2026Josh Hutton

Seminole State College is enrolling students in Microsoft for Work Professionals, a short-term, college-credit micro-credential course designed to help participants develop practical Microsoft Office and workplace technology skills.

The class begins Jan. 14 and meets once a week for eight weeks from 1 to 2:40 p.m. Students may enroll through Jan. 16.

The course will be taught by Dan Hill, a business and education instructor who has worked at Seminole State College for nine years. He also serves as the college’s women’s soccer coach. Hill has led the women’s soccer program to the national tournament for seven consecutive years and has been named NJCAA Region II Coach of the Year for women’s soccer every year from 2018 to 2025.

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In this photo, SSC Professor of History Marta Osby (left) presents Melissa Overfield, Chief of Voluntary Services, with holiday cards for veterans at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.

SSC Spreads Holiday Cheer to Veterans

December 16, 2025Josh Hutton

Beginning on Veterans Day, students, faculty, staff and administrators at Seminole State College launched the 2025 Veteran Appreciation Holiday Cheer Project, an annual initiative to share gratitude with veterans across Oklahoma.

From Nov. 11 through Dec. 2, members of the campus community signed holiday cards with messages of thanks, encouragement and cheer.

A total of 250 cards were delivered to the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City and distributed to inpatients receiving care. Melissa Overfield, Chief of Voluntary Services, also distributed cards to VA satellite clinics statewide so veterans outside the metro area would feel remembered during the holidays. She thanked everyone involved for helping bring a moment of joy to hundreds of Oklahoma veterans.

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