Author Josh Hutton

SSC Lights Up the Night with Holiday Fun

Josh Hutton
In this photo, local families alongside dozens of SSC student-athletes are busy working at crafting stations, helping community children create crafts.

Seminole State College hosted its annual Night at the Lights event on Dec. 2 at the Reynolds Wellness Center in Seminole. Local families enjoyed the community Snowman Wonderland light display, as well as cookies and hot chocolate provided by the College. Dozens of SSC student-athletes manned crafting stations, helping children create crafts.

In this photo, Several of the SSC athletics staff pose for a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Pictured (left to right): Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers and Women’s Softball Head Coach Amber Flores.

Several of the SSC athletics staff also assisted with the event. Pictured (left to right): Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers and Women’s Softball Head Coach Amber Flores

SSC Employees Attend Women in Higher Ed Conference

Josh Hutton
Posing for a group photo, left to right are Amanda Thomas, Amanda Glasgow, Rachelle Jones, Yahnah Factor, Michelle Pruitt, Anna Skender, Mechell Downey, Melanie Rinehart, Edith Cathey, Tina Savage, Alesha Hill, Dr. Nilmini Senaratne, Angela Hardo, Tina Morris, Damaris Haney, Kay Wallace, Jessic Isaacs, Alecia Bailey and Calvonis Prentice.

Twenty Seminole State College employees attended the Oklahoma Women in Higher Education Fall 2024 Conference at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Nov. 22. The full-day agenda included sessions on topics such as leadership development, work-life balance, empowerment, leveraging AI for success, mentorship and prioritizing self-care. Pictured left to right are: Amanda Thomas, Amanda Glasgow, Rachelle Jones, Yahnah Factor, Michelle Pruitt, Anna Skender, Mechell Downey, Melanie Rinehart, Edith Cathey, Tina Savage, Alesha Hill, Dr. Nilmini Senaratne, Angela Hardo, Tina Morris, Damaris Haney, Kay Wallace, Jessic Isaacs, Alecia Bailey and Calvonis Prentice.

In this photo, Presidents Ruth Jackson, Langston University; Lana Reynolds, SSC; and Diana Lovell, Southwestern Oklahoma State University pose for a photo.

Presidents Ruth Jackson, Langston University; Lana Reynolds, SSC; and Diana Lovell, Southwestern Oklahoma State University participated in a Presidents’ Panel discussion to open the conference. The session was moderated by OKWHE State Chair Elect Dr. Melissa Brevetti.

SSC to Host Night at the Lights

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College student athletes and children from the community decorate letters to Santa.

Seminole State College will host its annual Night at the Lights on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Reynolds Wellness Center. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy making holiday crafts with SSC students, exploring the “Snowman Wonderland” light display in Magnolia Park and savoring complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

SSC Soccer Returns Home Following National Tournament Play

Josh Hutton
In this photo, the Seminole State College women’s soccer team huddles around Head Coach Dan Hill.

The Seminole State College women’s soccer team recently competed in the NJCAA Division I Soccer National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas. The Trojans secured a decisive 3-0 victory against Cowley County on Nov. 19 but were unable to advance out of pool play following a first-round loss to Daytona State College on Nov. 17. The team concluded the season with a record of 19-1-2. This year marked the sixth consecutive national tournament appearance for the Head Coach Dan Hill and the women’s soccer team.

SSC Rallies for Women’s Soccer Team Before National Tournament

Josh Hutton
In this photo, a large crowd is gathered inside the SSC student union to wish the Trojan soccer team good luck as they head off to the NJCAA National Tournament,

Seminole State College hosted a sendoff for the women’s soccer team ahead of their appearance at the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship on Nov. 15 in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union. This year’s national tournament will take place from Nov. 17-23 at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas. The team ended the season ranked No. 3 in the nation with an undefeated record of 18-0-2. They will enter the national tournament as the No. 2 seed. This year marks the sixth consecutive national tournament appearance for the women’s soccer team.

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Area Schools Attend High School Visit Day at SSC

Josh Hutton
In this photo, a large group of local area high school students, seated in the Jeff Johnston Auditorium, are shown in attendance at the annual High School Visit Day on Nov. 12.

Seminole State College welcomed students to campus for its annual High School Visit Day on Nov. 12. Nearly 200 students attended the event from Bethel, Bowlegs, Carl Albert, Davenport, Epic Charter Schools, Eufaula, Graham-Dustin, Holdenville, Jim Thorpe Academy, Macomb, McLoud, New Lima, North Rock Creek, Okemah, Paden, Prague, Sasakwa, Seminole, Shawnee, Strother, Stroud, Tecumseh and Wewoka. Students enjoyed interactive breakout sessions, a campus tour scavenger hunt and a complimentary lunch.

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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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