December 2023 graduates of the Seminole State College nursing program recently achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
The NCLEX is an exam used to determine if recently graduated nursing students are safe to practice. Nurses are required to pass the NCLEX to earn licensure and legally practice nursing. In 2022, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing reported that the average pass rate of the NCLEX in the state was 78.67 percent, while the national average was 79.93 percent.
“We are so proud of the hard work and determination of these students,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said. “Our nursing faculty equip our graduates with the knowledge, skills and values they need to provide high-quality care to their patients.”
A large delegation of campus and community leaders representing Seminole State College attended Higher Education Day at the Capitol in Oklahoma City Thursday, Feb. 8. The event, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), is held annually to demonstrate the value and importance of higher education in the state.
Seminole State College sophomore Ryan Carlisle, of Arapaho, attended the Nigh Institute Leadership Academy held in Oklahoma City Feb. 3-6.
Carlisle joined college students from across the state for the four-day academy. Over the course of the event, Carlisle and his peers volunteered at the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank, enjoyed an OKC Thunder game, toured the Oklahoma City National Memorial, visited the Bob Funk Ranch and experienced the First Americans Museum.
Seminole State College will host its annual Presidents’ Day event on Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Utterback Ballroom, located just inside the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. This year’s event will feature a presentation by Professor of Government Jeffrey Christiansen titled “Dwight D. Eisenhower: Soldier and Statesman.” The event is free and open to the public.
“Few stories of the ‘American Dream’ can compare to that of Dwight David Eisenhower,” Christiansen said. “He was born to humble circumstances, but he would eventually graduate from the United States Military Academy, rise to the five-star rank of General of the Army, command Allied forces in the largest amphibious assault in human history during the Second World War, lead one of the country’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning and be elected President of the United States in a landslide—twice.”
Christiansen has worked at SSC for 15 years. In addition to being a Professor of Government, he serves as Vice Chair of the Social Sciences division. He also is the coordinator of the College’s Constitution Day program, a faculty sponsor of the SSC Shooting Sports Club and volunteers as a judge at The Academy of Seminole’s annual History Fair each spring.
For more information about the event, visit sscok.edu or contact Christiansen at j.christiansen@sscok.edu.
The Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class spent time learning from the leaders at the Boys and Girls Club of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Students went through a typical afternoon at the Club to prepare to volunteer with children who attend on a weekly basis.
Charity Hair, Seminole, and Holden Bradford, Oklahoma City, face off in an enthusiastic rock, paper, scissors battle royale while their teams cheer them on waiting for their turn.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) held a regular meeting at Seminole State College (SSC) on Feb. 1. The meeting was part of the OSRHE’s ongoing effort to visit and learn more about the state’s public colleges and universities. SSC President Lana Reynolds greeted the Regents and made a presentation on the college’s history, academic initiatives, community impact, partnerships, athletics and opportunities for students.
SSC Student Government Association President Benjamin Parker, of Shawnee, spoke with the state regents about his experiences at the college. Pictured (left to right) OSRHE Chair Jack Sherry, Parker and Oklahoma State System of Higher Education Chancellor Allison Garrett.
Seminole State College hosted area colleges at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Southeast Oklahoma Legislative Briefing at Pete’s Place in Krebs on January 26. SSC attended the event with a delegation of state legislators.
SSC President Lana Reynolds welcomed attendees to the event and introduced Chancellor Allison Garrett of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
In her remarks, Chancellor Garrett discussed the importance of higher education in improving the economy and business climate of the state. The State Regents are requesting $1.1 billion in state funding for FY25, which reflects an increase of $122.4 million or 12.2% over the FY24 appropriation of $1 billion.
Oklahoma State System of Higher Education Chancellor Allison Garrett presents the proposed budget and speaks about the economic impact of higher education at the Southeast Legislative Briefing in Krebs on Jan. 26.
Chancellor Garrett gave a summary of the budget request to attendees of the event. The State Regents are requesting $9.5 million for FY25 to fund the Inspired to Teach program and expand concurrent enrollment.
Public higher education’s budget request also includes strategic investments that align with Oklahoma’s projected workforce demand in STEM and healthcare and focus on increasing adult degree completion. The State Regents seek $41.5 million for critical workforce development initiatives, including funds to increase enrollment and graduation in STEM disciplines, expand nursing education program and medical residency capacity to address the
state’s shortage of nurses and doctors, and provide additional scholarships for adult students nearing completion of a college degree or pursuing an industry-recognized micro-credential or certificate.
The proposed budget also seeks $71.4 million in to fund performance-based institutional allocations to address operational needs, address rising risk management costs, strengthen college access and academic success services for students, and fund strategic collaborations and shared services to drive long-term efficiencies across the state system.
State Representative Danny Williams (R-Seminole), Representative Dell Kerbs (R-Shawnee) and Representative Danny Sterling (R-Tecumseh) attended the event on behalf of SSC.
Others representing Seminole State College at the event were President Leadership Class students sophomore Dalton Fowble, of Wellston; freshman Olivia Stevenson, of Shawnee; freshman Daylan Saxon, of Seminole; and freshman Jaylee Friend, of Prague; SSC Regents Chair Kim Hyden and Bryan Cain; SSC Educational Foundation trustees Jim Hardin, John Hargrave, Executive Director of the Avedis Foundation Dr. Kathy Laster, Rhonda McKee and Mark Schell; community supporters Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon and Lisa Saxon; SSC employees President Lana Reynolds, Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle and Communications Coordinator Josh Hutton.
The event was attended by delegations representing Carl Albert State College, Connors State College, East Central University, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Seminole State College and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
The Seminole State College Board of Regents met Jan. 18 to discuss changes to the College’s bereavement policy and review the terms of President Lana Reynolds’ employment. The College’s annual Year-in-Review publication was also unveiled during the meeting.
To kick off the 2024 baseball season, Seminole State College will host its annual Trojan Baseball “First Pitch” Banquet February 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.
Former Trojan baseball Coach Lloyd “Z” Simmons will serve as the event’s guest speaker.
Seminole State College has released the names of honor roll students for the 2023 fall semester. Three separate honor rolls recognize students for their academic achievements.
The President’s Honor Roll is comprised of students who maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average in at least 12 credit hours of coursework.
Students named to the Vice President’s Honor Roll must have a 3.5 grade-point-average or better and no grade below a “C”.
The Part-Time Students’ Honor Roll is for students who maintain a 3.5 grade-point-average with no grade below a “C” in at least six, but less than 12 college credit hours.
