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.

This year’s event took place at the River Spirit Resort in Tulsa from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30. Mathews, alongside SSC President Lana Reynolds, Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen and SSC Rural Business and Resource Center Director Danny Morgan, joined more than 100 civic leaders, policymakers and community advocates for the annual conference, which focused on the theme “Politics, Primaries, Polarization – What About the Oklahoma People?”

The Oklahoma Academy, a nonpartisan organization, was founded in 1967 by Oklahoma’s first Republican governor, Henry Bellmon. Initially surrounded by high-ranking Democratic officials, Bellmon sought to create a forum where the diverse voices of Oklahoma could converge to shape public policy.

In 2001, the organization adopted its town hall model, which focuses on fostering public policy recommendations. Over the years, this approach has continued to inspire bipartisan collaboration.

The SSC representatives actively participated in discussions and group activities that explored potential solutions to Oklahoma’s most pressing political challenges. The Oklahoma Academy will release its official recommendations in January, prior to the state’s legislative session.