Seminole State College recently recognized six employees for 20 years of service: Mechell Downey, Teresa Norman, Carol Parker, Tina Savage, Rita Story-Schell and Susan Shumaker. The employees were set to be honored at the Seminole State Educational Foundation’s annual Spring Recognition Banquet, but the event has been postponed due to restrictions on large gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downey is currently the Executive Assistant to the President. She began working for the College in July of 2000. She received her associate’s degree at SSC, her bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology at Rogers State University and her master’s degree in business administration from Cameron University.

She resides in Seminole with her husband, Mike Downey. They have two children, Stephen and Jessica, and one granddaughter, Nora. In her free time, she enjoys riding horses, hiking and spending time with her family.

Norman began working at the College in 1995 as an administrative assistant for the Social Sciences Department. In June of 2000, she took on her current role of Webmaster and IT Technician. She received her associate’s degree at SSC and her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from East Central University.

She resides in Seminole. She enjoys being involved at the Seminole First Assembly of God Church, where she helps with children’s programs. She also enjoys solving puzzles and attending community fairs with her family.

Parker currently serves as the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Program Director. She began working at the College in June of 2000. She received both her bachelor’s degree in Adult Corrections and her master’s degree in Human Resources at East Central University. She also received her certificate of Mastery in Child Development at Murray State College.

Parker is a retired veteran with 20 years in the Army Reserves. She saw two combat tours, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. She is proud to be a part of a military family. Her mother, father and two sisters have all served.

She and her husband, Reggie Parker, reside in Wewoka. They have one daughter, Armani.

Savage is currently the Talent Search-West Advisor, serving several schools in Pottawatomie County. She began her employment at SSC in July of 2000. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business from Northeastern State University and is pursuing a master’s degree in Human Resources from East Central University.

She and her husband, Kevin Savage, reside in Maude. She has one son, Brandon, who recently graduated from SSC. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the drums, whether in a band or with friends, and focusing on her master’s degree.

Story-Schell is currently the SSC Belles Women’s Basketball Coach and a HYPER Instructor. She began working for the College in June of 2000. She received her associate’s degree from SSC, her bachelor’s degree in Science at East Central University and her master’s degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

She lives in Seminole with her husband, Mark Schell, and their son Beckham. In her spare time, she enjoys do-it-yourself projects around the house, jewelry making and spending time with her family.

Shumaker currently works as the College’s Payroll Clerk. She began her employment in February of 2000. She studied at the University of New Mexico.

She and her husband, Daniel Shumaker, reside in Seminole. They have one daughter, Hannah.

She enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time.