Pringle Elected President of Oklahoma College Public Relations Association

This is a portrait of Kim Pringle.
Kim Pringle

Seminole State College’s Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle was recently elected President of the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) during the organization’s monthly board meeting on July 15.

Pringle, who has served on the OCPRA Board for the past four years, will now lead the statewide organization that supports marketing and communications professionals at colleges and universities across Oklahoma. OCPRA offers professional development, networking opportunities and a competitive awards program that honors outstanding work in higher education communications.

“I am honored to serve as President of OCPRA and continue to work alongside such talented professionals from institutions across the state,” Pringle said. “The organization plays a vital role in connecting communications teams and celebrating the creative work that supports student success and institutional growth.”

Pringle brings a diverse background and seven years of experience at SSC to her new leadership role. In addition to directing the College’s community relations initiatives, she serves as the liaison to the SSC Educational Foundation, co-directs the President’s Leadership Class with President Lana Reynolds, oversees the Business and Industry division, and represents the College at numerous public events.

Pringle holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a Vocal Certificate from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Education from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

She and her husband, Travis, reside in Shawnee with their two daughters, Addison and Breckyn.

SSC NASNTI Staff Attend Ready Inspire Conference

In this photo, Ben Little (left), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) Student Success Specialist, and Alecia Bailey (right), NASNTI Computer Science Specialist at Seminole State College pose for a photo at the 1st annual Ready Inspire Conference hosted by Ready Education.

Ben Little (left), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) Student Success Specialist, and Alecia Bailey (right), NASNTI Computer Science Specialist at Seminole State College, attend the 1st annual Ready Inspire Conference hosted by Ready Education in Orlando, Fla., July 7-9. The conference brought together higher education professionals from across the U.S. and internationally to network, share best practices and explore strategies for improving student engagement. SSC utilizes the Ready Education platform for its mobile app. The NASNTI program at SSC is 100 percent federally funded, receiving $450,000 annually.

SSC Public Relations Team Wins Best of Show at Statewide Competition

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

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

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

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

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

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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