SSC Regents Approve Social Media Policy and Tenure for Professor

At their meeting on Feb. 20, the Seminole State College Board of Regents approved tenure for a faculty member and adopted a social media policy for the College.

Pictured (l-r): Regent Ray McQuiston, Regent Paige Kim Hyden, Assistant Professor of Life Science Theran Hernandez, Regent Paige Sherry, Regent Marci Donaho and Chair Curtis Morgan pose for a photo following the SSC Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 20. The Board granted tenure to Hernandez during the meeting.

During the President’s Report, Reynolds informed the Board about recent activities and events at the College.

With the first action item on the agenda, the Board approved tenure for Assistant Professor of Life Science Theran Hernandez. Hernandez was recommended for tenure by Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Linda Goeller. Hernandez began working for SSC in 2011 as part of the TRiO program and quickly thereafter transitioned to the role of coordinator for the Upward Bound Program. In 2012, she became an Educational Talent Search Advisor and also served as an adjunct instructor. She was hired as a full-time faculty member in 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Langston University, a Master of Science from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Science from the University of Nebraska in Kearney. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Langston University.

The Board then approved the second action item on the agenda, a social media policy for the College. This policy was established to comply with Senate Bill 198, which passed during the 2019 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 198 requires all state agencies to adopt a social networking policy to discourage abusive or offensive online behavior by employees, on state time and using state resources.

SSC’s new policy reads, “All Seminole State College employees are discouraged from sharing content or creating comments on social media containing the following: obscene sexual content or links to obscene sexual content; abusive behavior and bullying language or tone; any unwelcomed discriminatory or harassing statements or images based on a protected characteristic that are so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively bars the victim’s access to an educational opportunity or benefit; conduct or encouragement of illegal activity; and disclosure of information which an agency and its employees are required to keep confidential by law, regulation or internal policy.”

Board members present at the meeting were: Chair Curtis Morgan, Marci Donaho, Kim Hyden, Ray McQuiston and Paige Sherry.

The next meeting of the SSC Board of Regents is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Trojan Players Meet SSC Alumi Senator Jech

Members of the 2020 Trojan Baseball Team who are a part of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class met former Trojan Senator Darcy Jech at Higher Ed Day activities last week.  Senator Jech (R-Kingfisher) represents District 26 at the Capitol and serves as the Rural Caucus Chair in the Senate.  Pictured with the Senator (left to right) are:  Callen Golloway, Blanchard; Creed Wiatkins, Duncan; Brady McEntire, Daingerfield, Texas; Nate Santiago, Southlake, Texas; and Trevor Martin, Owasso.

Politics and Baseball

Former Trojans, Oklahoma State Senator Darcy Jech of Kingfisher (left) and SSC Board Chair Curtis Morgan (right) visit with their coach Lloyd Simmons (center) during a Higher Ed Day luncheon last week in Oklahoma City.  Senator Jech played baseball for then Seminole Junior College the first year that Simmons coached the Trojans.  Morgan was on Simmons’ NJCAA World Series teams in 1980 and 1981, when he received the National MVP award and the Trojans finished as runner-up.  The trio were part of a delegation of Seminole State College community and campus leaders showing Legislators grassroots support for Higher Education funding.

 

‘ABC Gang’ Reunites at SSC Basketball Game

Former Seminole State College stand-out basketball players Ray Alford, Anthony Bowie and William Childs attended the SSC Trojan basketball games on Monday, Feb. 17. The trio was known as the “ABC Gang” during their time playing at then Seminole Junior College.  They led the 1983 Trojan team to a second-place finish in the 1983 NJCAA National Tournament. Continue reading “‘ABC Gang’ Reunites at SSC Basketball Game”

SSC To Undergo Accreditation Site Visit Later This Month

Seminole State College will undergo an Accreditation Site Visit by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) on Monday and Tuesday, February 24 – 25. This site visit is a regular part of the College’s ongoing accreditation processes, representing a culmination of efforts over the last ten years. SSC received full accreditation status in 2010 after its previous HLC Accreditation Site Visit.  Continue reading “SSC To Undergo Accreditation Site Visit Later This Month”

SSC Delegation Attends Higher Ed Day

            Seminole State College student Kimberly Cotter spoke to state leaders during the “Higher Education Day” program at the Capitol in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 11. She, alongside students Ruth Herman, East Central University, and Natanya Hernandez, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, shared how higher education at Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities has positively impacted their lives. A large delegation of campus and community leaders representing Seminole State College attended. The event, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), is held annually to demonstrate grassroots support for Higher Education funding. Continue reading “SSC Delegation Attends Higher Ed Day”