Seminole State College employee Brooks Nickell received the Randy Talley Rising Star Award at the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) fall workshop on Nov. 15 at the UCO Boathouse in Oklahoma City.

The award recognizes rising communications, marketing and public relations professionals working at Oklahoma higher education institutions who have demonstrated creativity, innovation, advocacy, expertise and integrity in their field. Award recipients must be employed by their college for a minimum of one year and for no more than five years.

Nickell joined SSC in January of 2021 as the Web and Multimedia Coordinator. He is responsible for designing, developing and maintaining the college’s website, as well as producing multimedia content such as videos, photos and social media graphics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“Brooks has been instrumental in enhancing the online presence and visibility of Seminole State College, as well as showcasing the achievements and stories of its students, faculty and staff,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said.

Nickell was nominated by his co-workers for helming the redesign of the SSC website, which launched in August of 2022 and for his videography and editing work on the College’s “Together We Grow” brand campaign, which was named Best of Show at the OCPRA annual conference on July 10. In addition to Best of Show, Nickell contributed to projects that won in seven additional categories.

The Randy Talley Rising Star Award is named in honor of Talley, who served as a role model for numerous students and developing professionals during his tenure as Director of Media and Community Relations for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and his more than 20 years as a member of the Board of Directors of OCPRA. Talley presented the award to Nickell at the workshop.

“We want to congratulate Brooks on this well-deserved recognition. We thank him for his tireless work ethic and his outstanding contributions to SSC,” President Reynolds said.