Ben Little (left), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) Student Success Specialist, and Alecia Bailey (right), NASNTI Computer Science Specialist at Seminole State College, attend the 1st annual Ready Inspire Conference hosted by Ready Education in Orlando, Fla., July 7-9. The conference brought together higher education professionals from across the U.S. and internationally to network, share best practices and explore strategies for improving student engagement. SSC utilizes the Ready Education platform for its mobile app. The NASNTI program at SSC is 100 percent federally funded, receiving $450,000 annually.
Seminole State College Student Support Services and STEM SSS Director Janna Wilson-Byrd speaks before a crowd at fall 2024’s new student orientation event. The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded the college with an SSS grant totaling $1,532,570 and a STEM SSS grant at the amount of $1,351,820.
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Seminole State College two federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grants. The first is a traditional SSS grant totaling $1,532,570, and the second is a STEM SSS grant totaling $1,361,820. Both grants are for a five-year period and are designed to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities.
Through services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, counseling and mentoring, TRIO SSS helps students overcome barriers to success and graduate or transfer with minimal debt.
Danielle Boyer, citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa, speaks at the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium on June 16. Her presentation, titled “Opportunities Through STEM,” highlighted her work in youth robotics and efforts to preserve Indigenous languages. The event was hosted by the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions federal grant program. The program is 100 percent federally funded in the amount of $450,000 annually.
A rendering of Seminole State College’s future Esports Lab, with construction set to be complete in winter 2025. The facility will support the college’s new esports program with courses launching in Fall 2025.
Seminole State College will launch a new esports program in Fall 2025, combining competitive gaming with academic coursework designed to support career pathways in esports and digital media.
Scholarship opportunities will be available to students who join the Esports team. These scholarships aim to support students dedicated to both academic achievement and the evolving field of competitive gaming.
On May 3, Seminole State College Talent Search/FOCUS students and staff gathered for dinner before attending the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “& Juliet” at the OKC Civic Center. The show offers a reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic, asking what would happen if Juliet chose her own fate after Romeo’s death—set to a soundtrack of pop hits by Max Martin. Pictured (left to right): Tecumseh High School student Anna Harvey, Shawnee High School students Bristel Tipton, Destini Richards and Manuela Parada. The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. For more information, visit sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs/talent-search or call (405) 382-9709.
Seminole State College’s Upward Bound program recently launched the UB Cleans initiative, providing students with the opportunity to give back to their community. Participants volunteer alongside the Seminole Arts Council, cleaning various locations around Seminole. Senior students meet every Thursday after school to help beautify the community while working toward their volunteer goals for their Bridge Trip this summer. Upward Bound is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Pictured (L to R): Upward Bound Coordinator Anna Skender, Upward Bound students Sosie Tucker, Marissa Massey, Jace Fitzgerald and Noah Higgins.
Seminole State College students and Student Support Services/SSS STEM staff pose for a group photo at center court in the Paycom Center during the Thunder Stir career fair on Feb. 24.
Several Seminole State College students attended Thunder Stir on Feb. 24, a career fair hosted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The event provided students with opportunities to network, submit résumés to potential employers and explore university transfer options.
Throughout the afternoon, professionals from the Thunder organization led career-focused workshops on résumé writing, interview techniques, networking and personal brand development. As part of the experience, students were also invited to attend the Thunder vs. Timberwolves game that evening.
Student Support Services (SSS) and STEM Student Support Services (STEM SSS) sponsored and accompanied the students on the trip.
“The purpose of the event was to expose students to a professional environment and introduce them to diverse career opportunities,” SSS/STEM SSS Director Janna Wilson-Byrd said. “Many of our students are unaware of the wide range of careers available in business, engineering, health sciences, computer science and even professional sports. This experience helped them understand how their skills can transfer across industries.”
Kaitlyn Treat, a freshman psychology major, reflected on her experience.
“I learned more about my major and how to plan for my future,” Treat said. “Personal branding, especially online, is really important. This event helped me step out of my comfort zone and meet people with similar interests.”
The Seminole State College SSS Project is 100% federally funded at $306,514 annually while the STEM SSS Project receives $272,364 in federal funding each year. Both programs provide support for first-generation, economically disadvantaged and disabled students.
For more information, contact Janna Wilson-Byrd, Director of SSS/STEM SSS, at (405) 382-9642 or visit the SSC website at sscok.edu.
More than 120 high school students in the Seminole State College Upward Bound program had the opportunity to experience an exciting evening of NBA action at the Paycom Center, as they watched the Oklahoma City Thunder claim a 144-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 1. In addition to enjoying the game, several Upward Bound students participated in exclusive pre-game activities, including greeting Thunder and Kings players in the Spirit Tunnel and standing on the court during the National Anthem and player introductions. To cap off the night, every student took part in a special post-game photo opportunity on the court with Rumble the Bison, the Thunder’s mascot. SSC’s Upward Bound program serves 20 area high schools and is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program provides academic support, college preparation and enrichment experiences to help students achieve their higher education goals.
Seminole State College Comptroller Julie Hix (left) and Vice President of Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart celebrate the success of the GEAR UP Dreamcatcher grant, which concluded in 2024. Hix formerly served as Director of SSC’s GEAR UP program for five of the grant’s seven years.
Seminole State College has released its annual progress report on the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Dreamcatcher grant, which concluded in 2024 after seven years. The federal grant, awarded in 2017, provided critical college readiness, career exploration and academic achievement support to approximately 1,000 area students annually.
The Dreamcatcher GEAR UP grant funded six full-time positions, enabling SSC to deliver a wide range of services to students and schools within its five-county service area. Program offerings included college campus visits, free tutoring, career guidance, mentorship programs and financial aid workshops for students and families. The grant also supported scholarships for participants and provided partner schools with professional development, resources and guidance in implementing Individualized Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs).
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.
