Longtime SSC Employee Celebrates Retirement

A retirement reception was held for Seminole State College employee Mary Higgins on May 30. Higgins worked for the College for 18 years as the Accounts Payable Clerk. She received her associate’s degree from SSC in 2000 and began working for the College shortly thereafter. She was an active member of the Classified Staff Association. She and her husband Wesley make their home in Tecumseh. She has two children, Matt Higgins and Sarah Stutzman. Higgins looks forward to spending more time with her three grandchildren now that she has retired. Pictured (l-r): Sarah, Matt, Mary and Wesley. Continue reading “Longtime SSC Employee Celebrates Retirement”

Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Seminole State College Professional Staff Council recently awarded the Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship to current students Adley Dill and Kristen Casteel. The scholarship will provide each student $500 toward their summer semester at SSC. Dill is a health science major and plans to complete the College’s nursing program. Casteel is a social sciences major and plans to transfer to the University of Oklahoma after graduating from SSC to pursue a degree in counseling. Continue reading “Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced”

Seminole Chamber Honors SSC Personnel

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication during the monthly Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on April 11. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Sam Rivera was honored as “Faculty Member of the Month” and Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services Janna Manlapig was honored as “Professional Staff Member of the Month.”

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Blue Ribbon Realty, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

Sam Rivera

Rivera completed his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management at Union Institute and University. He received his master’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Oklahoma.

While living in California, Rivera served the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for 23 years before retiring. Following his time in Sacramento, Rivera took on the role of SSC Chief of Police from 2015 to 2017. Since that time, Rivera has held the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.

He is involved with a number of campus organizations and committees. He is a member of the Assessment Learning Committee, the Chair of the Professional Development Committee and an advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Rivera and his wife Stephanie reside in Wewoka. They have four adult children: Samantha Kale of Foresthill, California; Andrew Rivera of Auburn, California; Ryan Rivera of Killeen, Texas; and Reagan Rivera of Shawnee.

Janna Manlapig

Manlapig received her bachelor’s degree in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

In her role as Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services she administrates grants and plays a key role in helping students with their academic pursuits.

She is involved with the Student Success Council and Professional Staff Council. She also sits on advisory boards for nursing and MLT. She is an active member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee, where she participates on the meal service team, plays in the hand bell choir and plays percussion for the youth service on Wednesday evenings.

She and her fiancée Holly reside in Shawnee. Manlapig has two children, Mitchell and Kamryn.

SSC Representatives Present at Prague Career Fair

Seminole State College Professor of English Jessica Isaacs (left) and STEM Student Suport Services Adviser Kristen Bean presented at the Prague High School Career Fair March 27. Bean provided information to students about careers in Higher Education, as well as different programs at SSC. Isaacs spoke about being a college professor and the different programs and events within the Language Arts and Humanities Division at the College.