Category Faculty & Staff

Pushcart Prize Nominee Paul Juhasz on Storytelling’s Power to Heal

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz poses with his published works. The author was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize for his flash memoir “Row.”
Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz poses with his published works. The author was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize for his flash memoir “Row.”

For Paul Juhasz, storytelling has always been more than words on a page—it’s been a means of survival. Born in Connecticut and shaped by experiences across seven states, Juhasz now writes and teaches in Oklahoma, a place where stories are as much a part of the landscape as the red earth. As an Assistant Professor of English at Seminole State College, he’s passing on power of storytelling to his students.

That storytelling prowess has earned him significant recognition. This year marks the second consecutive time Juhasz has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, one of the highest honors in independent publishing. Established in 1976, the Pushcart Prize celebrates the best poetry, short fiction and essays published by small presses.

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SSC Hosts Retirement Reception for Employee

Josh Hutton
In this photo, IT Technician David Cobb poses with his retirement reception cake.

Seminole State College hosted a retirement reception for IT Technician David Cobb in the E.T. Dunlap Student Union on Dec. 13. Cobb worked for SSC for six years. Prior to working for the College, he served as the IT Director for Seminole Public Schools for 11 years and an instructor at Tecumseh High School for 13 years. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Land Management at the University of Oklahoma. Following his retirement, he plans to seek out the best barbeque and Mexican food he can find, attend more OU games and travel. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 43 years. They have two children, Matthew and Lara, and five grandchildren.

In this photo, Cobb talks about his time working at SSC and thanks the crowd of family, friends and colleagues for attending the reception.
Cobb talks about his time working and SSC and thanks the crowd of family, friends and colleagues for attending the reception.

SSC Spreads Holiday Cheer to Veterans

Josh Hutton
In this photo, Se’Naqua Hildreth (left), the Voluntary Service Assistant with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the VA Medical Center, accepts holiday greeting cards signed by the SSC campus community from Professor of History Marta Osby (right).
Se’Naqua Hildreth (left), the Voluntary Service Assistant with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the VA Medical Center, accepts holiday greeting cards signed by the SSC campus community from Professor of History Marta Osby (right).

Seminole State College students, faculty, staff and administrators once again made the 2024 Veteran Appreciation “Holiday Cheer” project a success, continuing a nearly decade-long tradition of honoring veterans during the holiday season.

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Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

Josh Hutton
In this photo Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward (right) pose for a photo after being recognized.
The Seminole Chamber of Commerce recognized Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd (left) as the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward (right) as the Faculty Member of the Month at their Forum on Dec. 12.

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Dec. 12. Assistant Professor of Microbiology Amanda Soward was honored as Faculty Member of the Month, and Director of Human Resources Holly Wilson-Byrd was named Staff Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

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SSC Provides Christmas Gifts to Local Children

Josh Hutton
In this photo, pictured (left to right): freshman Kennedy Hudgins of Seminole, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman and freshman Aubree Wilkins of Earlsboro, pose for a photo with gifts for 25 children in need. These gifts were donated by SSC employees through the Angel Tree program.

Seminole State College employees and students recently participated in the Angel Tree program, providing gifts to 25 children in need through the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The SSC community purchased clothing and toys, carrying on a tradition of giving the college began in 1997. Pictured (left to right): freshman Kennedy Hudgins of Seminole, Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant Tina Morris, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant Toni Wittman and freshman Aubree Wilkins of Earlsboro.

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.

Pictured posing with their awards are Custodian Carmen Wright (left) the Staff Member of the Month and Assistant Professor of Math Cullen Birney (right) the Faculty Member of the Month at their Forum on Oct. 10

Chamber of Commerce Honors Two SSC Employees

Josh Hutton

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their dedication and service during the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on Oct. 10. Assistant Professor of Math Cullen Birney was honored as Faculty Member of the Month, and Custodian Carmen Wright was named Staff Member of the Month.

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Kontoor Brands/Wrangler, recognize SSC employees several times during Forum each year. Individuals are nominated from across the campus and chosen by SSC administrators to receive the honor.

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Pictured are Professional Staff Member of the Year Tina Savage, Faculty Member of the Year Emily Carpenter and Classified Staff Member of the Year Dwayne Castle posing for a photo after being recognized for their achievements by SSC President Lana Reynolds at the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference held on Oct. 4 at Tulsa Community College.

SSC Employees Recognized at Statewide Conference

Josh Hutton

Three Seminole State College employees were honored at the 57th annual Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges Conference held on Oct. 4 at Tulsa Community College. During the event, STEM Division Chair Emily Carpenter was named SSC Faculty Member of the Year, Talent Search-West Advisor Tina Savage was named Professional Staff Member of the Year and Maintenance Technician Dwayne Castle was named Classified Staff Member of the Year.

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Pictured left to right are Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz, Director of the Rural Business and Resources Center Danny Morgan, Admissions Clerk and VA School Certification Officer Stacey Foster, Director of NASNTI Kay Wallace, Softball Head Coach Amber Flores and Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill.

SSC Honors Six Employees for Outstanding Achievements at Fall In-Service

Josh Hutton

At the Fall 2024 Employee In-Service held at Seminole State College on Aug. 14, six employees were recognized for their outstanding contributions during the previous academic year. Themed “Building Brighter Tomorrows,” the In-Service event celebrated these individuals in a special segment titled “Stargazing,” which spotlighted their achievements.

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