Category News

SSC PTA Program Honors Class of 2026

Josh Hutton
This photo shows a crowd in attendance at the Seminole State College Physical Therapist Assistant program pinning ceremony held on June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee.

Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program held a pinning ceremony June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee for the graduating class of 2026. Housed at GCTC, the program combines physical therapy coursework with on-site clinical education. Students can complete the technical portion in 11 months, earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and become eligible to take the licensure examination to become a physical therapist assistant.

In this photo, Members of Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant graduating class of 2026 pose with program faculty following their pinning ceremony June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured, from left, front row: Lilly Jones of Prague, Jazmene Teaney of McLoud, Lacy Howell of Shawnee, Diana Baiz of Shawnee and Paityn Edmondson of Shawnee. Back row: PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford, Shelby Johnson of Earlsboro, Alicia Holton of Shawnee, Sando Hill of Stratford, Addison Day of Shawnee, Bailey Carpenter of Tecumseh and Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas.

Members of Seminole State College’s Physical Therapist Assistant graduating class of 2026 pose with program faculty following their pinning ceremony June 30 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured, from left, front row: Lilly Jones of Prague, Jazmene Teaney of McLoud, Lacy Howell of Shawnee, Diana Baiz of Shawnee and Paityn Edmondson of Shawnee. Back row: PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford, Shelby Johnson of Earlsboro, Alicia Holton of Shawnee, Sando Hill of Stratford, Addison Day of Shawnee, Bailey Carpenter of Tecumseh and Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas.

SSC Welcomes New Physical Therapist Assistant Students

Josh Hutton
In this photo, members of Seminole State College’s newest Physical Therapist Assistant Program cohort pose for a group photo during their orientation. Pictured, from left, are Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas, Cepado Wilkins of Shawnee, Avery Burnett of Shawnee, Greg Quintana of McAlester, Abbigayle Price of Oklahoma City, Andrew Arden of Shawnee, Caitlyn Mack of Stillwater, Gus Arvidson of Oklahoma City, Chloe Stephenson of Tecumseh, Shaun Franks of Holdenville and PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford.

Seminole State College’s newest Physical Therapist Assistant Program cohort attended orientation June 24 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center Lecture Hall. The event introduced students to faculty, student support services, program expectations and team-building activities as they began the 2026-27 academic year. Classes for the PTA program are held at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured, from left, are Director of Clinical Instruction Dr. Alexus Thomas, Cepado Wilkins of Shawnee, Avery Burnett of Shawnee, Greg Quintana of McAlester, Abbigayle Price of Oklahoma City, Andrew Arden of Shawnee, Caitlyn Mack of Stillwater, Gus Arvidson of Oklahoma City, Chloe Stephenson of Tecumseh, Shaun Franks of Holdenville and PTA Program Director Dr. Shakira Stafford.

SSC Vice President Named Chair of Council on Student Affairs

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Southwestern Oklahoma State University Dean of Students Dr. Wendy Yoder, past chair of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Council on Student Affairs, congratulates Seminole State College Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles on being named COSA chair for 2026-27. Knowles has served SSC for 20 years and is an SSC alumnus. Knowles will begin his term as COSA chair at the council’s July meeting.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University Dean of Students Dr. Wendy Yoder, past chair of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Council on Student Affairs, congratulates Seminole State College Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles on being named COSA chair for 2026-27. Knowles has served SSC for 20 years and is an SSC alumnus. Knowles will begin his term as COSA chair at the council’s July meeting.

SSC Board of Regents Approve FY27 Budget

Josh Hutton
Pictured posing for a group photo (Back row, from left) are SSC President Lana Reynolds and Regents Mona Adkisson, Robyn Ready, Teresa Burnett and Curtis Morgan.
(Back row, from left) SSC President Lana Reynolds and Regents Mona Adkisson, Robyn Ready, Teresa Burnett and Curtis Morgan thank SSC Board of Regents Chair Marci Donaho (seated) for her 21 years of service to SSC at the meeting on June 17.

At their meeting on June 17, the Seminole State College Board of Regents approved the College’s budget for fiscal year 2027 and adopted policies addressing academic grading and nursing faculty qualifications.

President Lana Reynolds began the meeting with updates on athletics and campus activities. She also discussed the possible partnered use of Seminole Public School’s Pleasant Grove property for the College’s agriculture program, provided an update on the Enoch Kelly Haney Center roof and solar project and reviewed SSC’s institutional profile from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The Regents reviewed and approved the College’s Educational and General Fund Budget for FY27. The budget reflects flat state funding and maintains current tuition and fee rates, meaning students will see no increase in tuition or mandatory fees for the coming academic year. The spending plan addresses institutional needs within existing financial constraints while maintaining an unobligated reserve for future needs.

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SSC Upward Bound Camp Blends Academics and Adventure

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College Upward Bound students are shown paddling a raft at Riversport OKC.

Seminole State College Upward Bound students visit Riversport OKC as part of the program’s annual summer residential camp. This year, SSC is hosting 120 students from 19 area high schools through June 25. Students attend daily classes in math, science, foreign language, English and other subjects, receive hands-on instruction with drones, 3D printers, forensics kits and photography, and participate in team-building activities. Camp activities also include a trip to the Outdoor Adventure Park at Oklahoma State University and campus tours at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and OSU. Upward Bound is fully federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

In this photo, posing as a group and pictured, from left, are Carla Tollett, CVEC Director of Communications and Member Engagement; Kim Pringle, SSC Director of Community Relations; Danny Morgan, SSC Rural Business and Resources Center Director; Josh Hold, CVEC CEO; SSC President Lana Reynolds; and Joe Semtner, CVEC Board President and District 6 Trustee.

SSC, Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative Receive State Partnership Award

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College and Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative were recognized earlier this spring with the Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The award recognizes partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses that connect education with workforce needs. Sixteen partnerships across the state received the honor this year.

“Partnerships between local businesses and our public colleges and universities strengthen our workforce, benefiting both our state and individual students,” Chancellor Sean Burrage said. “The State Regents are proud to recognize these collaborative efforts that drive economic growth, foster innovation and expand career opportunities for Oklahomans.”

SSC and CVEC have worked together on several initiatives related to campus safety, student development and community engagement. CVEC donated and installed an electrical pole that expanded the reach of SSC’s emergency siren system.

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SSC Hosts Workshop on Free Concurrent Scholarship

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College Academic Advisor Cindy Nolen speaks to local high school administrators and counselors during a June 4 workshop about the college’s new free concurrent scholarship initiative in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.

Seminole State College Academic Advisor Cindy Nolen speaks to local high school administrators and counselors during a June 4 workshop about the college’s new free concurrent scholarship initiative in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. Beginning in fall 2026, eligible high school juniors and seniors in SSC’s five-county service area who qualify for the state concurrent tuition waiver will have fees and books covered through an automatic SSC scholarship.

In this photo, A local high school representative asks a question during SSC’s free concurrent workshop.

A local high school representative asks a question during SSC’s free concurrent workshop. The program will allow eligible concurrent students in Seminole, Pottawatomie, Hughes, Okfuskee and Lincoln counties to earn college credit at no cost, covering up to 18 credit hours for seniors and up to 9 credit hours for juniors.

SSC Employees Preview New Esports Lab

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College faculty and staff tour the new Esports Lab during a workshop hosted Thursday, June 4 by the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions federal grant program.

Seminole State College employees previewed the new Esports Lab during a workshop hosted Thursday, June 4 by the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions federal grant program. The event gave faculty and staff the opportunity to tour the lab, learn about the room’s technology and hear an overview of the esports program before the lab’s grand opening this fall

In this photo, SSC NASNTI Computer Science Specialist Alecia Bailey leads employees through the new Esports Lab, allowing them to sit at individual stations and learn about the high-tech devices available in the space.

SSC NASNTI Computer Science Specialist Alecia Bailey led employees through the new Esports Lab, allowing them to sit at individual stations and learn about the high-tech devices available in the space. The workshop also featured presentations on room access, program details, scholarship opportunities and live streaming.

Oklahoma Colleges Partner to Share Library Services

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Rose State College President Travis Hurst, Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds and Redlands Community College President Jena Marr sign a memorandum of understanding June 2 at Rose State College. The agreement allows the three institutions to share professional library services beginning July 1, 2026.
Rose State College President Travis Hurst, Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds and Redlands Community College President Jena Marr sign a memorandum of understanding June 2 at Rose State College. The agreement allows the three institutions to share professional library services beginning July 1, 2026.

Rose State College, Redlands Community College and Seminole State College have entered into a memorandum of understanding that will allow the three institutions to share professional library services beginning July 1, 2026.

Under the agreement, Rose State College will provide a qualified librarian to serve as the librarian of record for Redlands and Seminole State. The position will support accreditation requirements, assist with library planning and assessment and help strengthen research services for students and faculty at each institution.

“Libraries remain central to student learning, academic achievement and institutional excellence,” Rose State College President Travis Hurst said. “This partnership demonstrates how colleges can work together to strengthen services, expand opportunities for students and faculty and make effective use of shared expertise.”

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