Two Seminole State College employees were honored at the 54th annual Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference held on Oct. 7 at Oklahoma City Community College. During the event, SSC Human Resources Director Holly Wilson-Byrd was recognized as Professional Staff Member of the Year and Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles was named Faculty Member of the Year for the College.

Wilson-Byrd received her bachelor’s degree in biology from East Central University and her master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Adult and Higher Education Student, Personnel and Training. She has worked at SSC for 14 years. She has held a number of roles at the College, including Employment Readiness Skills Instructor, Talent Search Advisor, Sponsored Programs Compliance Officer/Deputy Title IX Officer, and she currently serves as the Director of Human Resources.

She is an active member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee, currently holding the office of Senior Warden. She and her wife Jana reside in Shawnee. She has three sons, Ethan, Andrew and Levi Newell; a daughter-in-law, Abby Newell; and two grandsons, Easton, nine years old, and Samson, two years old.

Knowles received both her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences at Cameron University. She has worked at SSC for 14 years. She is a tenured Professor of Psychology in the Social Sciences Division. She also spearheaded the launch of the SSC Help Center, which provides resources and counseling to students struggling with mental health issues. She continues to serve as the coordinator of the effort. She is also the faculty sponsor for the Psi Beta Psychology honor society. She serves on a several campus committees and is a member of the Faculty Senate. She is a lifelong Girl Scouts member and co-leads a troop in Shawnee. She is also a member of the American Psychological Association.

She and her husband, Bill, reside in Shawnee. They have two children, Caleb and Olivia.

The OACC will hold its annual Staff Conference on Oct. 28 at Rose State College. An additional SSC employee will be honored at that event.