Seminole State College students and personnel visited the State Capitol to join the Oklahoma’s Promise Day celebration on April 9. Since its inception in 1992, the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program has awarded college tuition scholarships to more than 85,000 high school graduates, according to the Oklahoma’s Promise 2017-18 Year End Report. Continue reading “SSC Joins Oklahoma’s Promise Day Celebration at the Capitol”
Seminole State College and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will host a free screening of Killing Pain, a documentary series chronicling the state’s opioid addiction epidemic, on April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Kelly Haney Center lecture hall. Continue reading “SSC to Host Free Documentary Screening about Opioid Crisis”
Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class students met with Jane Jayroe Gamble, a third generation Oklahoman and a former Miss America. Gamble was the featured speaker during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce monthly forum on April 11. Gamble held a career in broadcast journalism for 17 years as a prime time news anchor in Oklahoma City and Dallas Fort Worth. She is also the author of several inspirational books – her most recent titled Practice: Unleashing the Power of Faith. Gamble visited with the students and described her journey to becoming Miss America as a girl from a small Oklahoma town. She encouraged them to not give up on their dreams and that almost anything is obtainable if you are willing to put forth effort and hard work.
Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication during the monthly Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on April 11. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Sam Rivera was honored as “Faculty Member of the Month” and Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services Janna Manlapig was honored as “Professional 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.
Rivera completed his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management at Union Institute and University. He received his master’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Oklahoma.
While living in California, Rivera served the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for 23 years before retiring. Following his time in Sacramento, Rivera took on the role of SSC Chief of Police from 2015 to 2017. Since that time, Rivera has held the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.
He is involved with a number of campus organizations and committees. He is a member of the Assessment Learning Committee, the Chair of the Professional Development Committee and an advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Rivera and his wife Stephanie reside in Wewoka. They have four adult children: Samantha Kale of Foresthill, California; Andrew Rivera of Auburn, California; Ryan Rivera of Killeen, Texas; and Reagan Rivera of Shawnee.
Manlapig received her bachelor’s degree in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma.
In her role as Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services she administrates grants and plays a key role in helping students with their academic pursuits.
She is involved with the Student Success Council and Professional Staff Council. She also sits on advisory boards for nursing and MLT. She is an active member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee, where she participates on the meal service team, plays in the hand bell choir and plays percussion for the youth service on Wednesday evenings.
She and her fiancée Holly reside in Shawnee. Manlapig has two children, Mitchell and Kamryn.
The Seminole State College Educational Foundation will host its 25th Annual Spring Banquet on Thursday, April 25, at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on campus. The event recognizes accomplishments by alumni, employees and students. Continue reading “SSC Educational Foundation to Host Annual Spring Banquet”
Students from 26 area schools competed in Seminole State College’s 47th annual Interscholastic Meet on March 28.
Individual entries were separated into two divisions. Division I was composed of students from schools classified as 3A, 4A and 5A. Students from 2A and A class schools competed in Division II. Continue reading “SSC Interscholastic Meet Winners Announced”
“You get in the truck. You hear the sirens. Cars are getting out of the way,” Randi Bray said, describing one of the first times she responded to a call for the Wetumka Fire Department. “It’s a kind of scary that forces you to focus, to be aware, and try your hardest to help those in need.” Continue reading “SSC Student Adds Firefighter and Published Poet to her Résumé”