The Seminole State College Board of Regents convened May 21 to consider items related to faculty tenure, campus improvements and academic program modifications.
At the beginning of the meeting, Haley Coates was sworn in as a Regent by her husband, former State Senator Harry Coates. Coates was appointed to fill a vacancy on the SSC Board by Gov. Kevin Stitt and confirmed by the Oklahoma State Senate Education Committee at the State Capitol on April 28.
Coates is the owner of HC Investments and Downtown Floral Co. in Seminole. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a graduate of Leadership Seminole Class of 2022. She is a member of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and Fostering Little Angels. She previously served as a trustee for the SSC Educational Foundation.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Vice President for Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart presented the College’s financial report through April 30, along with a report on purchases over $15,000 for March and April. The Board approved both reports.
SSC President Lana Reynolds then provided updates on personnel, campus activities, the legislative session and athletic playoffs.
The first item of business was the approval of tenure status for STEM Assistant Professor Dr. Deanna Miles. Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles recommended Miles for tenure following the College’s tenure review process.
Dr. Miles teaches Human Anatomy and Human Physiology with lab and coordinates efforts across campus to ensure SSC’s continued accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. She holds a medical doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s degree in science from Baylor University. She serves as chair of the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Committee, mentors biology degree students, sits on the Faculty Senate, and is a member of the Distance Education and Assessment committees. She served as Faculty Senate President in the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Regents next approved an addendum to the College’s agreement with Brightwell for the Haney Center roof project. President Reynolds explained that proposed addendum will alter the term of payout on the solar project and ultimately provide more savings to the college. The College’s legal counsel, Kyle Shifflett with the Attorney General’s Office, was present at the meeting to discuss the proposal. He has been working with representatives of Brightwell and their legal counsel, along with SSC administrators, on the wording of the addendum. The Board conditionally approved the action item contingent on final review and approval of any additional wording changes by Shifflett.
Under the Consent Agenda, the Board approved the 2026-2027 SSC Events and Employee Holiday Schedule. The Board also approved academic program modifications to suspend the Associate in Arts in Enterprise Development and the Associate in Science in Enterprise Development due to lack of enrollment.
The meeting adjourned after the conclusion of regular business. Regents present were Chair Marci Donaho, Curtis Morgan, Mona Adkisson, Haley Coates, Robyn Ready and Teresa Burnett.
The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for June 18.