Author Josh Hutton

Oklahoma Board of Nursing Approves SSC’s Appeal, Lifting Admission Restrictions

Josh Hutton
Seminole State College nursing faculty and staff pose for a celebratory photo after the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s decision to allow the institution to admit new students. Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor Ann Benson, Assistant Professor Brenda Hudson, Assistant Nursing Program Director Damaila Lester, Office Manager Julie Mathews, Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Misty Gray, Assistant Professor Miranda Stewart, Assistant Professor Jessica Shelburne, Assistant Professor Christine Clay, Academic Advisor Carmen Hutchins.
Seminole State College nursing faculty and staff celebrate the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s decision to allow the institution to admit new students. Pictured (left to right): Assistant Professor Ann Benson, Assistant Professor Brenda Hudson, Assistant Nursing Program Director Damaila Lester, Office Manager Julie Mathews, Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Misty Gray, Assistant Professor Miranda Stewart, Assistant Professor Jessica Shelburne, Assistant Professor Christine Clay, Academic Advisor Carmen Hutchins.

Seminole State College has announced the reinstatement of admissions to its nursing program following the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s approval of an appeal on Nov. 14. The decision comes after the program was placed on conditional status in November 2023 due to three consecutive years of low student pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This restriction prohibited the college from admitting new students but did not impact those already enrolled.

The college’s successful appeal reflects a year-long effort to address the program’s challenges, including significant curriculum updates, the construction of a new state-of-the-art simulation lab and enhanced benchmarking for students. The program had a successful site visit by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) in September of 2024, which confirmed the program’s improvements. SSC’s cumulative NCLEX pass rate for 2024 has risen to 88 percent, compared to the state average of 87 percent..

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SSC NASNTI Program Secures $157,000 Supplemental Grant

Josh Hutton
Pictured is Licensed Professional Counselor Stephanie Hassell, who will provide free mental health counseling to Seminole State College students through the supplemental grant.
Licensed Professional Counselor Stephanie Hassell will provide free mental health counseling to Seminole State College students through the supplemental grant.

The Seminole State College Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) federal grant program was recently awarded a supplemental grant, totaling $157,500. The funding will support an array of initiatives at the college, including mental health services, faculty training and enhancements to the Computer Science curriculum.

The grant includes $60,000 designated for mental health initiatives, ensuring accessible counseling support for SSC students. Licensed Professional Counselor Stephanie Hassell, an SSC alumna, will provide free counseling sessions for students every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 103 of the Boren Library. Hassell specializes in treating trauma, anxiety and depression. Counseling will be available both in-person and online, and SSC students will also gain access to customized mental health videos on topics like stress and anxiety management through the SSC mobile app.

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SSC Women’s Soccer Team Heads to Nationals for Sixth Year in a Row

Josh Hutton
In this photo, the SSC Soccer team poses for a group picture after their NJCAA Region II and South Central District Championship win on Nov. 3
The SSC women’s soccer team celebrates their NJCAA Region II and South Central District Championship win on Nov. 3 at the Advance Soccer Complex in Enid, Oklahoma.

Seminole State College’s women’s soccer team captured the NJCAA Region II and South Central District Championships with a 2-0 win over Rose State on Nov. 3 at the Advance Soccer Complex in Enid, Oklahoma. This victory secures the team’s sixth consecutive trip to the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship, set for Nov. 17-23 at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas.

Led by Head Coach Dan Hill and Assistant Coach Caitlyn Bidart, SSC’s team remained undefeated in regular season play with an 18-0-2 record and a national ranking of No. 3.

SSC will hold a sendoff for the team on Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m. in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union, inviting supporters to celebrate the Trojans as they head to Wichita.

SSC to Host High School Visit Day on November 12

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College will welcome high school students to campus for its annual High School Visit Day on Tuesday, November 12. This event, taking place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is designed to offer prospective students an in-depth look at college life through interactive sessions, a campus tour scavenger hunt and a complimentary lunch in the student union. Attendees will have the chance to win $500 and $250 tuition waivers as raffle prizes.

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SSC Representatives Attend Oklahoma Academy Town Hall

Josh Hutton

Amberlynn Mathews, a sophomore at Seminole State College, was selected as one of only eight student participants from across Oklahoma to attend the 2024 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall. This marks the second time that an SSC student has been chosen for this honor.

Pictured (left to right): SSC Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen, President Lana Reynolds, sophomore Amberlynn Mathews and SSC Rural Business and Resource Center Director Danny Morgan attended the 2024 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall in Tulsa from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30.
Pictured (left to right): SSC Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen, President Lana Reynolds, sophomore Amberlynn Mathews and SSC Rural Business and Resource Center Director Danny Morgan attended the 2024 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall in Tulsa from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30.
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In this photo, students wait to meet with enrollment management staff at SSC.

Enrollment Opens for Spring Semester at SSC

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College has officially opened enrollment for the upcoming spring semester, inviting current and prospective students to secure their courses. To support adult learners exploring educational opportunities, SSC will host two enrollment events outside regular office hours.

The first event, Reach Higher: Reconnect, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walkingstick Student Services Center. Attendees can enjoy free food, goodie bags, door prizes, and a range of student services, including degree audits, financial aid guidance, and career counseling.

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SSC Offers Hands-On Succulent Terrarium Course for Community

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College STEM Division Vice Chair and Assistant Professor of Agriculture Wendy Rich guides attendees through the process of creating a succulent terrarium during a community course.

Seminole State College STEM Division Vice Chair and Assistant Professor of Agriculture Wendy Rich guides attendees through the process of creating a succulent terrarium during a community course on Oct. 24. SSC’s Business and Industry program organized the event. More than 40 people were in attendance.

In this photo, Mandy Roberson, the Co-Owner of The Flower Box floral shop in Seminole, places soil in a globe as she begins crafting her terrarium.

Mandy Roberson, the Co-Owner of The Flower Box floral shop in Seminole, places soil in a globe as she begins crafting her terrarium. The college will host a second succulent terrarium course open to the public on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in Room 503 of Tanner Hall. For questions or to sign up, contact Business and Industry Coordinator Talina Lee at b-i@sscok.edu or 405-382-9546.