Category News

SSC Board of Regents Approve Agreement to Streamline Esports Lab Construction

Josh Hutton
In this photo, SSC Senior Director of Grants and Compliance Rich Thornton speaks to the Board of Regents about the grant programs on campus at their meeting on Dec. 12.
SSC Senior Director of Grants and Compliance Rich Thornton speaks to the Board of Regents about the grant programs on campus at their meeting on Dec. 12.

The Seminole State College Board of Regents convened on Dec. 12 to deliberate on an interlocal cooperation agreement for consortium purchasing, a utilities cost-saving initiative and updates on major campus renovations.

The meeting began with a presentation on the grant programs at the College by Senior Director of Grants and Compliance Rich Thornton. Followed by a report from SSC President Lana Reynolds, who provided updates on personnel changes and recent campus events. Then Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles discussed ongoing construction and renovation projects, including the drainage system near the Walkingstick Student Services building and the secured motor pool parking lot on the north side of campus.

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Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

Josh Hutton
In this photo Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward (right) pose for a photo after being recognized.
The Seminole Chamber of Commerce recognized Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward (right) as the Faculty Member of the Month at their Forum on Dec. 12.

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Dec. 12. Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward was honored as Faculty Member of the Month, and Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd was named Staff Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

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SSC Provides Christmas Gifts to Local Children

Josh Hutton
In this photo, pictured (left to right): freshman Kennedy Hudgins of Seminole, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman and freshman Aubree Wilkins of Earlsboro, pose for a photo with gifts for 25 children in need. These gifts were donated by SSC employees through the Angel Tree program.

Seminole State College employees and students recently participated in the Angel Tree program, providing gifts to 25 children in need through the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The SSC community purchased clothing and toys, carrying on a tradition of giving the college began in 1997. Pictured (left to right): freshman Kennedy Hudgins of Seminole, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman and freshman Aubree Wilkins of Earlsboro.

SSC Participates in Southeast Oklahoma Legislative Briefing

Josh Hutton
Posing for a group photo, Seminole State College employees, Regents, Foundation Trustees, local community supporters, legislators and students show their support at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Region Legislative Briefing at Pete’s Place in Krebs on Dec. 3.
Seminole State College employees, Regents, Foundation Trustees, local community supporters, legislators and students show their support at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Region Legislative Briefing at Pete’s Place in Krebs on Dec. 3.

Seminole State College participated in the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Oklahoma Legislative Briefing on Dec. 3 at Pete’s Place in Krebs. SSC was joined by delegations from other higher education institutions and state legislators for the event.

The program featured Sean Burrage, the new Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, who officially assumed his role as the system’s 10th Chancellor on Dec. 2. Chancellor Burrage outlined the State Regents’ 2025 legislative agenda, emphasizing initiatives aimed at advancing education and workforce training for adult learners.

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SSC Lights Up the Night with Holiday Fun

Josh Hutton
In this photo, local families alongside dozens of SSC student-athletes are busy working at crafting stations, helping community children create crafts.

Seminole State College hosted its annual Night at the Lights event on Dec. 2 at the Reynolds Wellness Center in Seminole. Local families enjoyed the community Snowman Wonderland light display, as well as cookies and hot chocolate provided by the College. Dozens of SSC student-athletes manned crafting stations, helping children create crafts.

In this photo, Several of the SSC athletics staff pose for a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Pictured (left to right): Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers and Women’s Softball Head Coach Amber Flores.

Several of the SSC athletics staff also assisted with the event. Pictured (left to right): Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers and Women’s Softball Head Coach Amber Flores

SSC Employees Attend Women in Higher Ed Conference

Josh Hutton
Posing for a group photo, left to right are Amanda Thomas, Amanda Glasgow, Rachelle Jones, Yahnah Factor, Michelle Pruitt, Anna Skender, Mechell Downey, Melanie Rinehart, Edith Cathey, Tina Savage, Alesha Hill, Dr. Nilmini Senaratne, Angela Hardo, Tina Morris, Damaris Haney, Kay Wallace, Jessic Isaacs, Alecia Bailey and Calvonis Prentice.

Twenty Seminole State College employees attended the Oklahoma Women in Higher Education Fall 2024 Conference at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Nov. 22. The full-day agenda included sessions on topics such as leadership development, work-life balance, empowerment, leveraging AI for success, mentorship and prioritizing self-care. Pictured left to right are: Amanda Thomas, Amanda Glasgow, Rachelle Jones, Yahnah Factor, Michelle Pruitt, Anna Skender, Mechell Downey, Melanie Rinehart, Edith Cathey, Tina Savage, Alesha Hill, Dr. Nilmini Senaratne, Angela Hardo, Tina Morris, Damaris Haney, Kay Wallace, Jessic Isaacs, Alecia Bailey and Calvonis Prentice.

In this photo, Presidents Ruth Jackson, Langston University; Lana Reynolds, SSC; and Diana Lovell, Southwestern Oklahoma State University pose for a photo.

Presidents Ruth Jackson, Langston University; Lana Reynolds, SSC; and Diana Lovell, Southwestern Oklahoma State University participated in a Presidents’ Panel discussion to open the conference. The session was moderated by OKWHE State Chair Elect Dr. Melissa Brevetti.

SSC Rallies for Women’s Soccer Team Before National Tournament

Josh Hutton
In this photo, a large crowd is gathered inside the SSC student union to wish the Trojan soccer team good luck as they head off to the NJCAA National Tournament,

Seminole State College hosted a sendoff for the women’s soccer team ahead of their appearance at the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship on Nov. 15 in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union. This year’s national tournament will take place from Nov. 17-23 at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas. The team ended the season ranked No. 3 in the nation with an undefeated record of 18-0-2. They will enter the national tournament as the No. 2 seed. This year marks the sixth consecutive national tournament appearance for the women’s soccer team.

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Area Schools Attend High School Visit Day at SSC

Josh Hutton
In this photo, a large group of local area high school students, seated in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium, are shown in attendance at the annual High School Visit Day on Nov. 12.

Seminole State College welcomed students to campus for its annual High School Visit Day on Nov. 12. Nearly 200 students attended the event from Bethel, Bowlegs, Carl Albert, Davenport, Epic Charter Schools, Eufaula, Graham-Dustin, Holdenville, Jim Thorpe Academy, Macomb, McLoud, New Lima, North Rock Creek, Okemah, Paden, Prague, Sasakwa, Seminole, Shawnee, Strother, Stroud, Tecumseh and Wewoka. Students enjoyed interactive breakout sessions, a campus tour scavenger hunt and a complimentary lunch.

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Oklahoma Board of Nursing Approves SSC’s Appeal, Lifting Admission Restrictions

Josh Hutton
Seminole State College nursing faculty and staff pose for a celebratory photo after the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s decision to allow the institution to admit new students. Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor Ann Benson, Assistant Professor Brenda Hudson, Assistant Nursing Program Director Damaila Lester, Office Manager Julie Mathews, Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Misty Gray, Assistant Professor Miranda Stewart, Assistant Professor Jessica Shelburne, Assistant Professor Christine Clay, Academic Advisor Carmen Hutchins.
Seminole State College nursing faculty and staff celebrate the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s decision to allow the institution to admit new students. Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor Ann Benson, Assistant Professor Brenda Hudson, Assistant Nursing Program Director Damaila Lester, Office Manager Julie Mathews, Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Misty Gray, Assistant Professor Miranda Stewart, Assistant Professor Jessica Shelburne, Assistant Professor Christine Clay, Academic Advisor Carmen Hutchins.

Seminole State College has announced the reinstatement of admissions to its nursing program following the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s approval of an appeal on Nov. 14. The decision comes after the program was placed on conditional status in November 2023 due to three consecutive years of low student pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This restriction prohibited the college from admitting new students but did not impact those already enrolled.

The college’s successful appeal reflects a year-long effort to address the program’s challenges, including significant curriculum updates, the construction of a new state-of-the-art simulation lab and enhanced benchmarking for students. The program had a successful site visit by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) in September of 2024, which confirmed the program’s improvements. SSC’s cumulative NCLEX pass rate for 2024 has risen to 88 percent, compared to the state average of 87 percent..

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