Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication during the monthly Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Thursday. Assistant Professor of Math Emily Carpenter was honored as “Educator of the Month” and Business and Education/Language Arts and Humanities Office Manager Carmen Hutchins was honored as “Classified Staff Member of the Month.”

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Blue Ribbon Realty, 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.

Carpenter came to SSC as an adjunct instructor in 2015 from Bethel Public Schools, where she taught for over 10 years. In 2016, she assumed her current role as Assistant Professor of Math. She teaches a variety of courses including Basic Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning, Statistics and Math Concepts for Educators. Carpenter also serves as Transitional Math Coordinator at the College. In this role, she works closely with other instructors to ensure gateway and corequisite courses meet the needs of SSC students.

On campus, Carpenter is a member of the Faculty Senate, where she currently acts as secretary. She also serves on the College’s Student Success Committee. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Teaching, Learning and Leadership, both from Oklahoma State University.

She and her husband, Veterinarian Dr. Colby Carpenter, reside in Tecumseh with their two children, Cayden, 10, and Quinn, 8. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, running, biking, and following her kids’ activities, which include basketball, softball, wrestling and showing Beefmaster cattle.

Hutchins came to SSC in February of 2016 and currently serves as the Business and Education/Language Arts and Humanities Office Manager. She previously worked for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services where she served over twenty years in public administration and social services before retiring from the organization.

In her current role on campus, she oversees the daily operations of both division offices, including greeting visitors, helping students and managing administrative tasks for faculty members and division chairs.  She recently accepted a new position on campus, and will soon serve as a part-time academic advisor in admissions while remaining office manager for the business and education division.

Hutchins is a member of the Classified Staff Association at SSC and currently serves as the organization’s secretary. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. Hutchins resides on a farm in Hughes County with her husband, son and four dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with family.