SSC Partners with Local High Schools for Early College Program

Josh Hutton

At their September 5 meeting, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved Seminole State College’s request to establish the Seminole State College Early College High School program. The new initiative will be launched in partnership with Seminole Public Schools, Shawnee Public Schools and The Academy of Seminole (TAOS).

The Early College program is set to begin in the Spring 2025 semester with an initial five-year approval period, concluding at the end of the Spring 2030 term. Freshmen students from Seminole High School, Shawnee High School and TAOS will be the first to enroll in the program.

The goal is to provide high school students with the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree or certificate. The program will be offered at little or no cost to students, helping reduce the time and financial burden required to complete a college degree.

Personnel from Seminole State College and Seminole Public Schools met on Oct. 7 to establish guidelines for the early college program. Pictured (back row, l-r) SSC Academic Advisor Cindy Nolen, SMS Counselor Ginger Cummins, SSC Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs, SHS Principal David Dean, SMS Principal David Carter, SSC Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey, SHS Counselor Kelley Johnson and SHS Counselor Dr. Emma Speer; (front row, l-r) SSC Vice President for Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SPS Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg and SPS Deputy Superintendent Angela Willmett.
Personnel from Seminole State College and Seminole Public Schools met on Oct. 7 to establish guidelines for the early college program. Pictured (back row, l-r) SSC Academic Advisor Cindy Nolen, SMS Counselor Ginger Cummins, SSC Dean of Instruction Jessica Isaacs, SHS Principal David Dean, SMS Principal David Carter, SSC Director of Enrollment Management Edith Cathey, SHS Counselor Kelley Johnson and SHS Counselor Dr. Emma Speer; (front row, l-r) SSC Vice President for Finance, Grants and Enrollment Melanie Rinehart, SSC President Lana Reynolds, SPS Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg and SPS Deputy Superintendent Angela Willmett.

“We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to local students,” President Lana Reynolds said. “By working closely with our partnering high schools, including administrators and counselors, we will ensure that students receive the support they need to succeed in both their high school and college courses.”

As part of the program’s evaluation, SSC will submit an interim report on outcomes to the State Regents following the Spring 2028 semester. A final report will be provided at the conclusion of the approval period, and based on the outcomes, the program may be renewed during the 2030-2031 academic year.

Full program details will be released when enrollment opens to high school students for the Spring semester.