Young Enterprising Women Forum Held at SSC

Pictured (left to right): Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jenna Geolagan of the Seminole Clinic, Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and CEO of South Central Industries Tina Hanna served as panelists at the mentoring forum for high school girls interested in STEM and entrepreneurial careers.

The Enterprising Women Foundation, the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women and Seminole State College hosted a mentoring forum for high school girls interested in STEM and entrepreneurial careers on Dec. 5 at the college’s Kelly Haney Center. The Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum featured sessions on financial literacy, business panels with women in leadership roles, a luncheon and one-on-one mentoring. Pictured (left to right): Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jenna Geolagan of the Seminole Clinic, Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and CEO of South Central Industries Tina Hanna served as panelists at the event.

Pictured, High school girls from Earlsboro, Holdenville, Macomb, Meeker, Prague, Seminole, The Academy of Seminole, Shawnee and Stroud attended the event to learn more about job opportunities in STEM, guidance one entrepreneurship and information on financial literacy.

High school girls from Earlsboro, Holdenville, Macomb, Meeker, Prague, Seminole, The Academy of Seminole, Shawnee and Stroud attended the event to learn more about job opportunities in STEM, guidance one entrepreneurship and information on financial literacy.

SSC Welcomes New Nursing Program Director

Seminole State College has named Dr. Misty Gray to the position of Acting Nursing Director. Gray replaces Crystal Bray who is leaving the college to accept a position as the Nursing Education Consultant with the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

Gray has 16 years of experience in home health and hospice, orthopedics, surgery, NICU, nursery, post-partum and emergency nursing. She has also spent seven years as a nursing instructor.

She graduated with her associate degree in nursing from SSC and holds a bachelor’s, a master’s and her doctorate from St. Gregory’s University, Oklahoma Baptist University and Grand Canyon University, respectively.

She also has extensive experience working with state and national accrediting bodies.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Gray at the college and appreciate her willingness to take on this critical role on campus,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said.

During her first week as Director, Gray hosted area nursing and health care professionals serving as an advisory board for the program for a luncheon on campus. Those in attendance

included: Cathy Broome, Shawnee CNO, SSM Health; Holly Kirkland, Hospice Coordinator, SSM Health; Christa Williams, AHEC/Student Coordinator, McAlester Regional Health Center; Megan Moore, Nurse Educator, McAlester Regional Health Center; Dr. Darcy Duncan, Director/Associate Professor, School of Nursing, East Central University; Ashley Fichtner, Director of Partner School Outreach, Gordon Cooper Technology Center; Molly Delaney, Instructor, Wes Watkins Technology Center; Alma Reagan, Emergency Department Director, SSM Health; Brandi Ray, Director of Nursing, Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah; and Leah Burns, Education Manager, Bethany Children’s Health Center.

Reynolds said the College was appreciative of Bray’s long-time service as an instructor and recently as director of the program.

“We want to thank Ms. Bray for her tireless efforts to carry this important program out of the dark days of the COVID pandemic and to lead a great team in producing knowledgeable and caring nurses,” President Reynolds said.

Earlier in the fall semester, SSC’s nursing program was awarded a congressionally directed grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration in the amount of $1,050,000. The grant is set to bring transformative changes to the department, focusing on the development and expansion of simulation labs.

Gray previously served as a Simulation Lab Coordinator at East Central University and is certified in Simulation Instruction and Management from Robert Morris University.

“We believe her expertise will be instrumental in utilizing new technologies in the classroom and preparing the next generation of nurses,” President Reynolds said.

SSC Nursing Program Receives Million-Dollar Grant

Seminole State College’s nursing program was recently awarded a congressionally directed grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the amount of $1,050,000. The grant, to be distributed over the next three years, is set to bring transformative changes to SSC’s Nursing Department, particularly focusing on the development and expansion of simulation labs.

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Physical Therapist Assistant Program Achieves 100 Percent Pass Rate

Graduates of Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program recently achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their licensure exams from the Oklahoma Medical Board.

This marks the second year in a row for SSC’s PTA program to achieve a perfect pass rate.

“This cohort demonstrated true grit and resilience throughout the program and into their clinical experiences. We received excellent feedback from our clinical partners regarding their performance and expect that they will all have bright careers in the field of physical therapy,” Shakira Stafford, SSC PTA Program Director, said.

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James Madison’s Influence to Be Explored at SSC’s Constitution Day Event

Seminole State College will host its annual Constitution Day event on Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. in the lecture hall located just inside the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. This year’s event will feature a presentation by Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen titled “James Madison: Father of the Constitution.” The event is free and open to the public. Continue reading “James Madison’s Influence to Be Explored at SSC’s Constitution Day Event”

SSC’s Concurrent Enrollment Aids High School Students’ Higher Education Journey

Abby (left) and Hannah (right) Ridley, of Tecumseh, earned both their high school diplomas from The Academy of Seminole and their associate degrees from Seminole State College in May of 2023. Enrollment is still open at SSC with classes set to begin Aug. 14.
Abby (left) and Hannah (right) Ridley, of Tecumseh, earned both their high school diplomas from The Academy of Seminole and their associate degrees from Seminole State College in May of 2023. Enrollment is still open at SSC with classes set to begin Aug. 14.

There is still time for high school juniors and seniors to enroll in concurrent classes at Seminole State College before the fall semester begins on Aug. 14, with late enrollment open until Aug. 18. Concurrent enrollment helps students earn college credit hours before their high school graduation.

“We place tremendous emphasis on partnerships with local high schools, ensuring that our concurrent students receive the necessary resources and support to thrive academically,” Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles said. “With concurrent enrollment, high school students can effectively prepare for their future goals while earning valuable dual credit.”

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SSC STEM Faculty Attend Symposium on Addressing the Needs of Variable Learners

Seminole State College STEM Division Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematics Emily Carpenter (left) and Assistant Professor of STEM Melissa Bryant (right) attended the ninth annual CAST UDL Symposium from July 31 to Aug. 1 in Denver, Colorado. UDL, or Universal Design for Learning, is a framework for addressing the educational needs of diverse and variable learners. The goal of UDL is to eliminate inequities in education. Carpenter and Bryant’s attendance and professional development at the event was made possible through the SSC Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) federal grant program.

Seminole State College STEM Division Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematics Emily Carpenter (left) and Assistant Professor of STEM Melissa Bryant (right) attended the ninth annual CAST UDL Symposium from July 31 to Aug. 1 in Denver, Colorado. UDL, or Universal Design for Learning, is a framework for addressing the educational needs of diverse and variable learners. The goal of UDL is to eliminate inequities in education. Carpenter and Bryant’s attendance and professional development at the event was made possible through the SSC Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) federal grant program.

SSC Extends Office Hours Ahead of Aug. 14 Start Date

With the fall semester beginning Aug. 14, Seminole State College will hold extended enrollment hours to cater to prospective and returning student schedules from Aug. 7 to Aug. 12.

During the week of Aug. 7, SSC will provide guided campus tours, along with complimentary t-shirts and popcorn for attending students. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle with the chance to win either a $250 or $500 tuition waiver. The drawing for the raffle is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on Aug. 12.

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Oklahoma National Guard Members Receive Tuition and Textbook Assistance at SSC

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard will now have the cost of their tuition, fees and textbooks covered when attending Seminole State College. Beginning with the fall semester, which starts Aug. 14, SSC is extending textbooks waivers to add to the benefits members of the National Guard receive through the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

“In appreciation of their service, we wanted to extend textbook waivers to students who qualify for EAP. We want to ease the financial burden of obtaining course materials,” SSC Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Melaine Rinehart said.

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SSC to Host Event for Working Adults Looking to Finish Their Degrees

Seminole State College will host a free two-day Reach Higher: Reconnect event to help working adults learn more about completing their degrees on Tuesday, June 20, and Wednesday, June 21.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., prospective students can visit the Tanner Hall building for light refreshments and to speak with advisors, financial aid specialists, the admissions team and take a campus tour.

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