Author Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSC student-athletes meet at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester.

76 SSC Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA All-Academic Honors

Josh Hutton

Seventy-six Seminole State College student-athletes were named to the 2025-26 NJCAA All-Academic Teams, while seven SSC athletic programs earned NJCAA Academic Team Awards.

The number of individual honorees increased by 24 from the previous academic year, when 52 SSC student-athletes received recognition. The number of qualifying athletic teams also increased from five to seven.

The NJCAA recognizes student-athletes in three categories based on grade point average: First Team for a 4.0 GPA, Second Team for a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99, and Third Team for a GPA between 3.60 and 3.79.

“Earning this recognition requires discipline, consistency and a strong commitment to both academics and athletics,” SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell said. “We are proud of these student-athletes and grateful to the coaches, faculty and staff who support their success in the classroom.”

NJCAA Academic Team Awards are presented to programs that maintain a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or higher. Women’s Golf led SSC with a 3.75 GPA, followed by Softball with a 3.63, Women’s Soccer with a 3.60, Baseball with a 3.40, Volleyball with a 3.26, Men’s Golf with a 3.14 and Men’s Basketball with a 3.11.

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SSC Public Relations Team Earns Six Awards at Statewide Conference

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell, Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle and Director of Communications Josh Hutton display the six awards earned by SSC’s Public Relations team following the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association Awards Ceremony on July 20 at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant.
Seminole State College Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell, Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle and Director of Communications Josh Hutton display the six awards earned by SSC’s Public Relations team following the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association Awards Ceremony on July 20 at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant.

Seminole State College’s Public Relations team earned six awards at the 2026 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association Annual Conference and Awards Competition, held July 19-21 at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant.

Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle, Director of Communications Josh Hutton and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell represented the College at the annual event, which brings together higher education communications and marketing professionals from across the state.

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Reynolds Selected for Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame

Josh Hutton
SSC President Lana Reynolds
SSC President Lana Reynolds

Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds has been selected for induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame as a member of its 2026 class.

Reynolds, who became SSC’s fifth president in July 2017, is the first woman to lead the College. She will be recognized for her service and contributions to higher education in Oklahoma.

“I am extremely honored to be receiving this recognition,” Reynolds said. “What a privilege it is to work at a job where you are helping people change their lives through education. I appreciate the state and local Regents, my presidential colleagues, coworkers, and community supporters who are partners in these efforts.”

Reynolds has worked in Oklahoma higher education for more than 35 years, serving in several roles at SSC before becoming president. She is a past chair of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Council of Presidents and the Council of Two-Year Presidents. Reynolds currently serves as chair of the Oklahoma Academy and is a former chair of Leadership Oklahoma. She also serves on several state and national boards focused on education, health and rural communities.

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SSC GEAR UP Hosts Summer Camps for Area Students

Josh Hutton
SSC GEAR UP students pose for a photo in front of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium during a tour of the University of Oklahoma campus.
SSC GEAR UP students pose for a photo in front of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium during a tour of the University of Oklahoma campus.

Seminole State College’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) hosted more than 140 incoming eighth- and ninth-grade students during two summer camps held July 5-8 and July 12-15.

Students from all 12 GEAR UP partner schools participated in campus tours, career exploration activities and hands-on educational experiences designed to prepare them for college.

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In this photo, SSC Associate Professor of Agriculture Wendy Rich holds a chicken while taking questions from Kids on Campus attendees.

Kids on Campus Combines Learning and Fun at SSC

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole Citizen of the Year Jacqi Dill helps Kids on Campus attendees with preparing paint for the daily art project.

Seminole State College hosted Kids on Campus from July 13-16, offering hands-on learning activities for students entering first through eighth grades. Seminole Citizen of the Year Jacqi Dill led the Art Lab, where campers explored their creativity through a variety of art projects.

In this photo, SSC Head Volleyball Coach Bobbi Leitha leads the Wild Child Fitness Camp in a game of kickball.

SSC Head Volleyball Coach Bobbi Leitha led the Wild Child Fitness Camp, which kept students active through games, exercises and team-building activities. Campers are pictured playing kickball in the Raymond Harber Field House.

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NJCAA Region II Leaders Meet at SSC

Josh Hutton
Pictured, from left: SSC Athletic Director and NJCAA Region II Women’s Director Leslie Sewell, NJCAA Region II Commissioner Chris Parker and University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Athletic Director and NJCAA Region II Men’s Director Jerod McCormick pose for a group photo.

National Junior College Athletic Association Region II leadership met at Seminole State College on July 14 to discuss and review policies and procedures in preparation for the 2026-27 academic year. Pictured, from left: SSC Athletic Director and NJCAA Region II Women’s Director Leslie Sewell, NJCAA Region II Commissioner Chris Parker and University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Athletic Director and NJCAA Region II Men’s Director Jerod McCormick.

SSC Students Receive Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship

Josh Hutton
In this photo, posing for a group picture and listed left to right, are Financial Assistance Specialist Lauryn Flewallen, Director of NASNTI Kay Wallace, Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey, Jackson, Financial Aid Specialist Alicia Ryan, Robertson, Recruitment Specialist Maddie Potter, Registrar Sheila Morris and NASNTI Computer Science Specialist Alecia Bailey.

Seminole State College students Elizabeth Jackson and Jaelyn Robertson, both of Chandler, and Caden Pierce of Seminole were selected as recipients of the Professional Staff Council/Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship provides $500 awards to SSC students enrolled in at least three credit hours during the summer session. Jackson and Pierce are both business majors, and Robertson is majoring in SSC’s medical laboratory technology program. The students were recognized on July 14 by Professional Staff Council members in the Walkingstick Building on campus. Pierce is not pictured. Pictured, left to right, are Financial Assistance Specialist Lauryn Flewallen, Director of NASNTI Kay Wallace, Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey, Jackson, Financial Aid Specialist Alicia Ryan, Robertson, Recruitment Specialist Maddie Potter, Registrar Sheila Morris and NASNTI Computer Science Specialist Alecia Bailey.

SSC PTA Program Honors Class of 2026

Josh Hutton
This photo shows a crowd in attendance at the Seminole State College Physical Therapist Assistant program pinning ceremony held on June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee.

Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program held a pinning ceremony June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee for the graduating class of 2026. Housed at GCTC, the program combines physical therapy coursework with on-site clinical education. Students can complete the technical portion in 11 months, earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and become eligible to take the licensure examination to become a physical therapist assistant.

In this photo, Members of Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant graduating class of 2026 pose with program faculty following their pinning ceremony June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured, from left, front row: Lilly Jones of Prague, Jazmene Teaney of McLoud, Lacy Howell of Shawnee, Diana Baiz of Shawnee and Paityn Edmondson of Shawnee. Back row: PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford, Shelby Johnson of Earlsboro, Alicia Holton of Shawnee, Sando Hill of Stratford, Addison Day of Shawnee, Bailey Carpenter of Tecumseh and Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas.

Members of Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant graduating class of 2026 pose with program faculty following their pinning ceremony June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured, from left, front row: Lilly Jones of Prague, Jazmene Teaney of McLoud, Lacy Howell of Shawnee, Diana Baiz of Shawnee and Paityn Edmondson of Shawnee. Back row: PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford, Shelby Johnson of Earlsboro, Alicia Holton of Shawnee, Sando Hill of Stratford, Addison Day of Shawnee, Bailey Carpenter of Tecumseh and Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas.

SSC Welcomes New Physical Therapist Assistant Students

Josh Hutton
In this photo, members of Seminole State College’s newest Physical Therapist Assistant Program cohort pose for a group photo during their orientation. Pictured, from left, are Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas, Cepado Wilkins of Shawnee, Avery Burnett of Shawnee, Greg Quintana of McAlester, Abbigayle Price of Oklahoma City, Andrew Arden of Shawnee, Caitlyn Mack of Stillwater, Gus Arvidson of Oklahoma City, Chloe Stephenson of Tecumseh, Shaun Franks of Holdenville and PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford.

Seminole State College’s newest Physical Therapist Assistant Program cohort attended orientation June 24 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center Lecture Hall. The event introduced students to faculty, student support services, program expectations and team-building activities as they began the 2026-27 academic year. Classes for the PTA program are held at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured, from left, are Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas, Cepado Wilkins of Shawnee, Avery Burnett of Shawnee, Greg Quintana of McAlester, Abbigayle Price of Oklahoma City, Andrew Arden of Shawnee, Caitlyn Mack of Stillwater, Gus Arvidson of Oklahoma City, Chloe Stephenson of Tecumseh, Shaun Franks of Holdenville and PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford.