SSC Public Relations Team Wins Best of Show at Statewide Competition

July 21, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSC Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell (left) and SSC Director of Communications Josh Hutton (right) pose for a photo after winning Best of Show at the 2025 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association Annual Conference. — _{SSC Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell (left) and SSC Director of Communications Josh Hutton (right) won Best of Show at the 2025 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association Annual Conference on July 14 at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Catoosa. The award-winning entry “Undercover President” was written by Hutton and filmed and edited by Nickell.}

Seminole State College’s Public Relations team earned the Best of Show award at the 2025 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) Annual Conference, held July 13-15 at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Catoosa. The team won the top prize for their short video “Undercover President,” a spoof of the television series “Undercover Boss,” in which SSC President Lana Reynolds disguises herself as a student to encourage her peers to complete the FAFSA.

This marks the second time in three years that the SSC Public Relations team has won Best of Show. The group previously received the top honor in 2023 for their “Together We Grow” advertising campaign.

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New Regents Sworn in, Election of Officers Held at SSC Board Meeting

July 17, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, Barry Tims (left) and Mona Adkisson (right) pose for a photo after being sworn in at the July 17 meeting of the SSC Board of Regents. Former District Judge George Butner (center) administered the Oath of Office. — *_{Barry Tims (left) and Mona Adkisson (right) were sworn in at the July 17 meeting of the SSC Board of Regents. Former District Judge George Butner (center) administered the Oath of Office.}*

The Seminole State College Board of Regents held their monthly meeting on July 17 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center Board Room.

The meeting began with the swearing-in of two new Regents, Mona Adkisson and Barry Tims. Former District Judge George Butner administered the oath of office. Both Adkisson and Tims reside in Seminole. Adkisson and her husband, Sam, are owners of Ecoat.us. Tims is an independent insurance agent. Adkisson succeeded former Regent Bryan Cain, whose term concluded June 29. Gov. Stitt appointed Tims to assume the seat vacated by former Regent Ryan Pitts, who resigned in the spring after being appointed as Special District Judge. His appointment will be considered for approval by the Oklahoma State Senate Education Committee and confirmation by the Oklahoma State Senate in Spring 2026.

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Healthcare Leader and SSC Alumna Visits New Nursing Simulation Lab

July 17, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Shawnee President Angi Mohr (left) and Seminole State College Nursing and Health Sciences Program Director Dr. Misty Gray (right) explore the new federally-funded simulation lab at the college.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee President Angi Mohr (left) and Seminole State College Nursing and Health Sciences Program Director Dr. Misty Gray (right) explore the new federally-funded simulation lab at the college. Mohr, who is a graduate of the SSC Nursing Program, a member of the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame, and a Trustee of the SSC Educational Foundation, met July 16 with Gray and SSC President Lana Reynolds to discuss possible partnerships between the hospital and the college. SSM Health provides clinical experiences for SSC nursing students and is a major employer of the program’s graduates.

SSC PTA Students Honored at Pinning Ceremony

July 10, 2025July 17, 2025Josh Hutton

Pictured (left to right): PTA Instructor Lisa Knight, graduates Jaylee Friend of Prague, Rikki Pettigrew of Ada, Allie Ratcliff of Shawnee and PTA Program Director Shakira Stafford. Not pictured is graduate Jason Podimannil of Yukon.

Seminole State College Physical Therapist Assistant students celebrated their pinning ceremony on July 9 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured (left to right): PTA Instructor Lisa Knight, graduates Jaylee Friend of Prague, Rikki Pettigrew of Ada, Allie Ratcliff of Shawnee and PTA Program Director Shakira Stafford. Not pictured is graduate Jason Podimannil of Yukon. The PTA program includes physical therapy coursework and on-site clinical education. The technical portion can be completed in 11 months. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the licensure examination to become a physical therapist assistant. The program is housed at GCTC.

SSC Secures Two Federal Grants to Enhance Academic Support

July 10, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, 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. — _{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.

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SSC Students Explore England and France on Global Studies Trip

July 2, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, Participants of Seminole State College’s 2025 Global Studies trip pose in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament during their visit to England and France. — *_{Participants of Seminole State College’s 2025 Global Studies trip pose in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament during their visit to England and France.}*

Thirteen Seminole State College students and employees recently returned from a nine-day Global Studies trip to England and France, held May 20-29. The educational tour was led by STEM Division Chair Emily Carpenter and Professor of History Marta Osby.

Prior to departure, students completed coursework in either Modern Western Civilization or Global Studies in International Business, providing academic context for their travel experiences.

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Young Learners Dive into Robots, Recipes and Gardening at SSC

June 24, 2025Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Librarian Ashley Bagwell (left) and SSC sophomore Addison Pringle (center) lead young campers during the Mini Makers Art Lab on June 17. The activity was part of the first week of Kids on Campus, held June 16-19 at SSC.

SSC Professor of Mathematics Jarrod Tollett speaks with students during the STEM – Aquatic Robots class.

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SSC NASNTI Program Hosts STEM Events

June 23, 2025June 24, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, Danielle Boyer, citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa, speaks at the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium on June 16.

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.

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Educational Coalition Welcomes New Member

June 17, 2025Josh Hutton

Dr. Jason James (far right), recently named superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools, joins (left to right) Gordon Cooper Technology Center Superintendent Julie McCormick, Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. Heath Thomas and SSC President Lana Reynolds for a group photo.

The Shawnee Educational Coalition welcomed a new member during a luncheon hosted by Seminole State College at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on June 16. Dr. Jason James (far right), recently named superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools, joined (left to right) Gordon Cooper Technology Center Superintendent Julie McCormick, Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. Heath Thomas and SSC President Lana Reynolds. The group has met monthly for more than a year to strengthen workforce development, create educational pathways for area residents and foster networking and partnership opportunities.

SSC Athletic Director Honored for Leadership Achievement

June 16, 2025Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles (left) presents Athletic Director Leslie Sewell (right) with a plaque recognizing her completion of the Advanced Leadership Track of the 2024-2025 Council on Student Affairs Leadership Academy. The six-month program is designed for student affairs professionals with at least five years of experience, focusing on advanced leadership concepts, strategic decision-making and organizational innovation in higher education. Sewell participated in case studies, peer discussions and expert-led workshops aimed at refining leadership skills and fostering institutional success.