Tag March 2024

SSC TRIO Programs Attend Wicked Musical

Josh Hutton
Pictured is a group of Seminole State College TRIO program students from Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services, as they pose for a group photo outside of the OKC Civic Center where they experienced the musical “Wicked.”

During the month of March, all three Seminole State College TRIO programs – Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services – took groups of students to the OKC Civic Center to experience the musical “Wicked.” The Talent Search Central and West Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $388,326 and $277,375 annually. The SSS and STEM SSS Projects are 100% federally funded in the amounts of $294,725 and $261,888 annually. Upward Bound I, II, Math & Science I, and Math & Science II are 100% federally funded for $414,579, $309,505, $309,505, and $309,505 annually. More information about the programs can be found at sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs.

SSC Public Relations Team Reads to Kindergarten Class

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Communications Coordinator Josh Hutton (left) and Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell (right) read “The Bad Seed” by Jory John to Danielle Morgan’s kindergarten class at the Prague Early Childhood Center on March 11. Bringing readers into classrooms is part of a national effort to raise awareness about the importance, value and fun of reading. Such reading programs are designed to motivate kids to read and celebrate the diversity in communities and across the country.

Pictured (left to right): SSC Rural Business and Resources Director Danny Morgan, SSC Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle, Tourism Council Member Marci Donaho, CEO of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Amy Britt. Chancellor for Higher Education Allison Garrett, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Regent Ann Holloway, OSRHE Chair Jack Sherry, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon and Tourism Council Member Mitch Enos.

SSC and Tourism Council Foundation Partnership Honored

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College and the Seminole Tourism Council were among colleges, organizations and businesses honored during a Business Partnership Excellence Awards Luncheon held March 7 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

For the past 25 years, the Seminole Tourism Council has supported projects aimed at attracting visitors to Seminole and boosting the local economy. This includes funding more than 100 events, programs, building projects and marketing activities. Over the last decade, the Council has directed funds to support the creation, development, operation and improvements for SSC’s Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex. This $12 million facility has been a catalyst for other economic development – including helping stimulate the building of a new housing addition, a hotel, two restaurants and a family fun center.

Initially, the Council matched college funds to support a position designed to help plan the complex and recruit tournaments and events. On subsequent occasions, the Council funded specific projects at the field, such as enhancing the soccer field, fencing the property, purchasing sod for walkway areas and purchasing materials for additional parking lots.

“We are so honored to have our partnership with the Seminole Tourism Council recognized through this awards program. They have been an integral part to the success of the sports complex,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said.

SSC nursing students pose for a group photo joined by local and state agencies after participating in a disaster response training.

SSC Nursing Partners with Local Agencies for Disaster Training Event

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College nursing students got a hands-on experience in disaster response on Feb. 28 at the softball field parking lot on campus. Nursing students worked alongside local agencies to respond to a simulated school bus wreck.

The scenario was designed to test the students’ ability to assess the situation and work alongside other first responders to triage and treat patients. The students acted as nurses, while volunteers played the roles of injured bus passengers.

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SSC Receives Community Health Grant from SSM Health

Josh Hutton
Pictured (left to right): SSM Health Senior Community Health Specialist Jose Rojas, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee President Angi Mohr and Psychology Professor and Help Center Coordinator Christal Knowles hold up a check representing the recently received community health grant from SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee.

Seminole State College recently received a community health grant from SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee in the amount of $10,000. The grant will be used to continue offering free mental health counseling to students through the College’s Help Center. Pictured (left to right): SSM Health Senior Community Health Specialist Jose Rojas, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SSM Health St. Anthony – Shawnee President Angi Mohr and Psychology Professor and Help Center Coordinator Christal Knowles.

SSC Talent Search Attends TRIO Day at Capitol

Josh Hutton
Pictured (left to right): Seminole High School sophomore Gabriella Factor, SSC Student Support Services student Mark Factor, SSC TRIO Accounting Clerk Yahnah Factor, McLoud High School senior Alyssa Sudduth, Talent Search Advisor Tina Savage, McLoud High School senior Madalynn Taylor, Minority Floor Leader Andy Fugate and Talent Search Advisor Rachelle Jones.

Participants and staff with the SSC Talent Search/FOCUS Program attended TRIO Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Feb. 28. Attendees from throughout the state filled the House of Representatives Chambers and overflow rooms to raise awareness about the importance of educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation students. Pictured (left to right): Seminole High School sophomore Gabriella Factor, SSC Student Support Services student Mark Factor, SSC TRIO Accounting Clerk Yahnah Factor, McLoud High School senior Alyssa Sudduth, Talent Search Advisor Tina Savage, McLoud High School senior Madalynn Taylor, Minority Floor Leader Andy Fugate and Talent Search Advisor Rachelle Jones. TRIO programs are a set of federal outreach and student services programs designed to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The TRIO programs at SSC are Student Support Services, Upward Bound and Talent Search. For more information about the grant programs, visit sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs

(Pictured left to right) SSC language arts and humanities professors Paul Juhasz, Dr. Andrew Davis, Jessica Isaacs and Yasminda Choate recently presented at the Southwest Popular and American Culture Association Conference.

SSC Professors Present at Popular Culture Conference

Josh Hutton

Four Seminole State College language arts and humanities professors presented at the 2024 Southwest Popular and American Culture Association (SWPACA) Conference during the week of Feb. 21-24 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A panel consisting of Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz, Associate Professor of English Andrew Davis and Associate Professor English Yasminda Choate presented on pedagogical approaches to teaching writing composition through the lens of popular culture, titled “Aerosmith to Zombies: Using Pop Culture to Engage Students in First-Year Writing.” Juhasz also read two short stories, “All American and “Where the Wild Things Were,” from his most recent collection, “As If Place Matters.” Associate Professor of English Jessica Isaacs read poetry from her manuscript “Mother Makes Potions.”

The four professors teach English Composition, Creative Writing, Film and Literature courses at SSC.

The mission of the SWPACA is to promote an innovative and nontraditional academic movement in humanities and social sciences celebrating America’s cultural heritages. The annual conference provides an outlet for scholars, writers, and others interested in popular/American culture to share ideas in a professional atmosphere and increase awareness and improve public perceptions of America’s cultural traditions and diverse populations.