Category Grant Programs

Local High School Students Attend ACT Workshop at SSC

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Chad Cargill speaks to area high school students about strategies for taking the ACT.
Chad Cargill speaks to area high school students about strategies for taking the ACT test at Seminole State College on Oct. 21.

Seminole State College Talent Search/FOCUS and Upward Bound programs hosted an ACT prep workshop on Oct. 21, with 87 local high school students in attendance.

The event’s featured speaker was Chad Cargill. Cargill took the ACT a total of 18 times in high school, raising his score from a 19 to a 32. He has presented his workshops for more than 20 years and speaks with over 10,000 students each year.

Attendees received an ACT test prep workbook and enjoyed pizza following the presentation.

Talent Search and Upward Bound are college preparatory programs that are funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The overall goal is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of higher education.

The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. For more information about the Talent Search Program, contact 405-382-9709.

The Upward Bound projects are 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Upward Bound I is funded for $414,579, Upward Bound II for $309,505, Math and Science I for $309,505, and Math and Science II for $309,505. For more information about the program, contact 405-382-9710.

Hundreds Attend Tribal Fest at SSC

Josh Hutton
In this photo a large crowd of attendees browse the tribal resource fair, which featured more than 30 vendors.

Seminole State College hosted its third annual Tribal Fest on Oct. 9 at the Cook Commons on SSC’s campus. Hundreds of attendees browsed the tribal resource fair, which featured more than 30 vendors. Attendees also enjoyed art demonstrations, traditional dance performances and Native American cuisine. The event was sponsored by several federal grant programs on SSC’s campus, including the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services and Student Support Services STEM.

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SSC Talent Search Students Attend “MJ” Musical

Josh Hutton
In this photo the cast of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “MJ” take a bow on stage at Oklahoma City Civic Center on Oct. 5.

Seventy SSC Talent Search/FOCUS students, staff, and volunteers enjoyed dinner together and attended the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “MJ” at the Oklahoma City Civic Center on Oct. 5. The musical tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life and career, focusing primarily on his preparations for the 1992 Dangerous world tour. The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. For more information about the Talent Search Program, please visit sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs/talent-search or call 405-382-9709.

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Presenters Speak on Native Language at SSC’s AI Symposium

Josh Hutton
In this photo Deidre Holmberg speaks to attendees of the “The Methods of AI in Preserving and Revitalizing Native American Languages” symposium on Sept. 26.

The Seminole State College Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution’s (NASNTI) federal grant program hosted “The Methods of AI in Preserving and Revitalizing Native American Languages” symposium on Sept. 26. Deidre Holmberg (pictured) delivered the event’s keynote with a presentation on generative AI and education. Holmberg is the Principal Tech Education Strategist at Amazon Web Services.

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Decorative image.

SSC to Host AI Symposium on Native Language Preservation and Revitalization

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College will host an Artificial Intelligence Symposium on Thursday, Sept. 26, exploring AI’s innovative role in preserving and revitalizing Native American languages. The symposium is sponsored by SSC’s Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) federal grant.

Deidre Holmberg

The event’s keynote speaker, Deidre Holmberg, Principal Tech Education Strategist at Amazon Web Services will deliver an address titled “GenAI and Education” from 10:10 to 11:15 a.m. in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium. The keynote will focus on generative AI’s growing role in education. Holmberg is an expert of the intersection of education and cloud technology. Her contributions to science and technology education have earned her a place in the Pacific Science Center Hall of Fame.

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In this photo, SSC GEAR UP students pose for a group photo during their visit to Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, during their 2023 summer trip.

SSC Receives $6.5 Million in GEAR UP Federal Grant

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College received notification this week from the U.S. Department of Education that it will receive $6.5 million through the “GEAR UP – Believe and Achieve” grant.

The grant will provide $934,400 annually over a seven-year period, beginning September 1, 2024.

This funding will serve approximately 1,168 students across 12 school districts, including Asher, Holdenville, Konawa, Maud, Moss, Okemah, Seminole, Strother, Tecumseh, Varnum, Wetumka, and Wewoka.

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The Methods of AI in Preserving and Revitalizing Native Language

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College NASNTI (Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions) is a federally funded grant program. While SSC is a nontribal institution, Seminole State College (SSC) does have a significant Native American student population, which qualifies the college for this federal grant. Last year, SSC was also awarded a supplemental grant to support the revitalization and preservation of Native American Language. Part of the supplemental grant funds have been allocated to sponsor an Artificial Intelligence Symposium, featuring innovations in AI and its aid in preserving and revitalizing Native languages. 

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SSC Upward Bound participants who recently completed the 9th, 10th and 11th grades stand in front of the St. Louis Arch during their summer trip.

SSC Upward Bound Students Travel to St. Louis and New England

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College’s Upward Bound program participants traveled on separate trips to St. Louis, Missouri, and New England in July.

Participants who recently completed the 9th, 10th and 11th grades visited St. Louis. Their trip started with a campus tour of Missouri State University in Springfield, followed by an evening at the City Museum. Students were also treated to excursions to Six Flags, a performance of the musical “Dreamgirls” at the Muny Theater, a tour of the historic St. Louis Arch, followed by a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River and a visit to the Union Station Aquarium.

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In this photo, Seminole State College GEAR UP students (pictured left to right) Korbyn Finch of Maud, Hailey Mack of Varnum and Raygan Lee of Wetumka pose for a photo after visiting the United State Capitol Building during their trip to Washington D.C. for the Youth Leadership Summit.

SSC GEAR UP Students Attend Leadership Summit in D.C.

Josh Hutton

Three Seminole State College GEAR UP students were selected alongside other students from across the United States to attend and participate in the 2024 Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) during the annual National GEAR UP conference July 21-24, in Washington D.C.

YLS’ theme this year was “Diplomacy Beyond Borders: Inspire, Connect, Transform.” The students learned how to be an efficient leader and have healthy leadership skills. The students were able to network with a diverse group of young adults and discuss the unique obstacles they had overcome to get where they are today.

The SSC GEAR UP participants included Korbyn Finch from Maud, Raygan Lee from Wetumka, and Hailey Mack from Varnum.

The three GEAR UP students and the GEAR UP staff also enjoyed an educational preconference. The places visited included Boston and Salem, Massachusetts, Newport, Rhode Island and New York City. Participants attended Wicked on Broadway, walked the Salem Witch Trial Trails and the Freedom Trail in Boston. They also visited several national monuments and toured Brown University, Harvard University and New York University.