Author Josh Hutton

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How Seminole Came Together to Save Its College

Josh Hutton

Terry Morris remembers a college gathering place where students played spades and teachers joined them for Cokes and candy bars.

It was the basement of First Presbyterian Church.

For two academic years, the church housed Seminole Junior College as it separated from the high school and prepared a campus of its own. Sunday school rooms became college classrooms. The pastor’s study served as the president’s office. The basement became the student union.

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In this photo, Chance Allison of Finley & Cook CPAs presents Seminole State College’s fiscal year 2026 external audit to the Board of Regents during its Oct. 29 meeting in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.

SSC Regents Accept Annual Audit, Approve Policy Updates

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Board of Regents accepted the College’s annual external audit, approved revisions to three Board policies and adopted a new policy governing sponsored programs and grants during its Oct. 29 meeting in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.

During the President’s Report, President Lana Reynolds shared updates on personnel, enrollment, athletics, the Haney Center roof project, campus activities and upcoming events. SSC Educational Foundation Chair Mark Schell and Foundation Investment Committee Chair Lance Wortham also provided an update on the Scott Empowerment Fund investments.

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This photo shows Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Computer Science Alecia Bailey as she represents SSC at the 2026 AISES National Conference.

SSC Professor Presents on Cybersecurity Education at National Conference

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Computer Science Alecia Bailey served on a panel about developing and strengthening cybersecurity education during the 2026 AISES National Conference, held Oct. 15-17 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

The conference, hosted by the Advancing Indigenous Science and Engineering Society, carried the theme “Weaving Innovation.” It brought together students, educators and professionals working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Bailey’s participation followed SSC’s involvement in the TCU/NASNTI Cybersecurity Feasibility Study, an AISES initiative backed by Google. SSC was awarded $40,000 through AISES to support its cybersecurity programming following an assessment of the college’s capabilities and needs.

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SSC Nursing Students to Receive Specialized Training

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma SANE Program Administrator Chrissie Boatman speaks to Seminole State College nursing leadership students.

Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma SANE Program Administrator Chrissie Boatman spoke to Seminole State College nursing leadership students about the role of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in caring for survivors of sexual assault on Oct. 22 in the nursing lab on the first floor of the Kelly Haney Center.

In this photo, Lethality Assessment Coordinators Scott Hawkins, David Folkert and Jaiden Balthrop-Russell speak to nursing students during an on campus training.

SSC nursing students participated in four hours of Lethality Assessment Protocol and Victimology training Oct. 22 in the Kelly Haney Center Lecture Hall. The training counted toward students’ required clinical hours and provided insight into available resources and coordinated responses to individuals experiencing violence. Pictured: Lethality Assessment Coordinators Scott Hawkins, David Folkert and Jaiden Balthrop-Russell speak to nursing students during the training.

SSC Representatives Attend Microcredential Summit

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs and Business and Industry Coordinator Jacob Harrington pose for a picture while attending the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and UpSkillOK Employer Microcredential Summit on Oct. 21 in Oklahoma City.

Seminole State College Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs and Business and Industry Coordinator Jacob Harrington attended the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and UpSkillOK Employer Microcredential Summit on Oct. 21 in Oklahoma City. The event brought together higher education representatives, employers and workforce leaders to explore how industry-aligned microcredentials can address skills gaps, strengthen talent pipelines and support workforce development across Oklahoma.

Portrait photo of H.B. Mitchell

His Students Made the Case: The Legacy of H.B. Mitchell

Josh Hutton

Before David Boren became governor of Oklahoma or a U.S. senator, Harland B. Mitchell was trying to get him to speak in class.

Boren was frightened of addressing an audience, even his classmates. In a 2016 interview with Voices of Oklahoma, he recalled sitting through debate class while the other students got up to speak. Near the end of the semester, Mitchell gave him a warning.

“You’re going to get an F if you don’t get up and speak,” Boren remembered his teacher telling him.

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Seminole-Area Leaders Attend Statewide Education Town Hall

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Several Seminole-area residents pose for a group picture after attending the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals’ Town Hall on education. From the left, are Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds; Seminole Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Britt; SSC Educational Foundation Chair and Seminole Public Schools Board Chair Mark Schell; SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Kim Hyden; SSC students Caden Pierce and Mia Reich; Seminole Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg; and SSC Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle.

Several Seminole-area residents participated in the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals’ Town Hall on education Oct. 18-21 at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville. The four-day conference, themed “Challenges to Change: Shaping Tomorrow’s Classrooms,” brought together more than 150 participants and observers to hear from speakers and participate in panel discussions addressing challenges facing Oklahoma’s K-12 education system and exploring opportunities for improvement. Pictured, from left, are Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds; Seminole Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy Britt; SSC Educational Foundation Chair and Seminole Public Schools Board Chair Mark Schell; SSC Educational Foundation Trustee Kim Hyden; SSC students Caden Pierce and Mia Reich; Seminole Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg; and SSC Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle.

SSC to Host Trick or Treat Trail

Josh Hutton
This photo shows children in their Halloween costumes as they participate in Trick or Treat Trail.

Seminole State College will host its annual Trick or Treat Trail on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Henderson Park on campus. SSC students and employees will distribute candy at stations along the walking trail surrounding the north pond. The event is free and open to the public, and children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Organized by the college’s Campus Activities office, the event is coordinated by Director of Residential Life and Student Activities Melinda Sims. For more information, contact Sims at m.sims@sscok.edu.