SSC Employee Honored at Retirement Reception

A retirement reception was held for Seminole State College employee Cindy Guinn on July 25. Guinn served SSC for 19 years, most recently as an Administrative Assistant in the President’s Office. She is a graduate of Maud High School and attended a business program at Gordon Cooper Technology Center. She is a resident of Shawnee. She is married and has two children, both of whom graduated from SSC. During her retirement, she looks forward to traveling, camping, gardening, and spending more time with her grandchildren. Continue reading “SSC Employee Honored at Retirement Reception”

SSC Employee Honored at Retirement Celebration

A retirement reception was held for Seminole State College employee Deedra Eldredge on June 27. Eldredge worked for the College for 21 years in a number of roles. Most recently she held the position of NASNTI Coaching Specialist. She holds an associate’s degree from Seminole State College, a bachelor’s degree from Mid-American Christian University, and a master’s degree from East Central University. She and her husband of 41 years reside in Seminole. They have one grown son. She looks forward to gardening more and discovering new hobbies now that she has retired.

SSC and ECU Hire Shared English Instructor

Seminole State College and East Central University have announced a partnership to share the employment of a full-time English instructor.

According to the Presidents of both institutions, the shared employee is an example of a partnership created to better utilize resources allocated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Legislature.

“Over the past few months, we have been discussing ways to make joint purchases and share costs of services, as well as looking at possible positions that could be shared.  This English position was a great fit – filling a need for both institutions,” said Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds.

She added, “SSC and ECU have a long history of working together to provide academic and cultural programs for the students and communities in our area.  I appreciate Dr. Pierson’s leadership in making this shared employment possible.  We look forward to working with our friends and colleagues in Ada on additional joint efforts in the future.”

Dr. Katricia G. Pierson, President of East Central University, said, “Efficiency and excellence have been a part of the Seminole State College and East Central University partnership for years and we are happy that it’s being enhanced. Seminole State has much to offer and ECU has always been an extension of students desiring to further their education. Working with President Reynolds and her staff is always a positive process. Our ongoing collaboration to create a smooth transition for students seeking an education degree has solidified our partnerships and we knew we could even do more. We are now sharing a faculty member for our English programs. Sharing resources is good for both institutions and, more importantly, is good for the students we serve.”

Beginning in August, Jamie Worthley will start working as a full-time English instructor for both SSC and ECU. Recognizing that the needs of one institution may be greater than the other at any given time, Worthley will devote approximately 40 percent of her services to ECU and 60 percent to SSC. As part of the collaboration, Worthley will teach 15 hours of language arts courses each year for SSC and hold office hours on campus.

Worthley, who has taught part-time in the English Departments of both institutions, is a graduate of Paden High School. Previously, she worked as an English tutor for SSC for five years. She also worked as an Upward Bound Composition Instructor for two years at ECU. She has been an adjunct professor at SSC for six years and ECU for five years. She holds an Associate’s degree from Seminole State College and a Bachelor’s in English from East Central University.  She received a Master of Arts in Composition Rhetoric from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond in 2012.

Worthley’s full-time employment will begin on August 12. Services will be evaluated each spring before March 1 to determine each institution’s needs for the next academic year.

Longtime SSC Employee Celebrates Retirement

A retirement reception was held for Seminole State College employee Mary Higgins on May 30. Higgins worked for the College for 18 years as the Accounts Payable Clerk. She received her associate’s degree from SSC in 2000 and began working for the College shortly thereafter. She was an active member of the Classified Staff Association. She and her husband Wesley make their home in Tecumseh. She has two children, Matt Higgins and Sarah Stutzman. Higgins looks forward to spending more time with her three grandchildren now that she has retired. Pictured (l-r): Sarah, Matt, Mary and Wesley. Continue reading “Longtime SSC Employee Celebrates Retirement”

Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Seminole State College Professional Staff Council recently awarded the Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship to current students Adley Dill and Kristen Casteel. The scholarship will provide each student $500 toward their summer semester at SSC. Dill is a health science major and plans to complete the College’s nursing program. Casteel is a social sciences major and plans to transfer to the University of Oklahoma after graduating from SSC to pursue a degree in counseling. Continue reading “Kay Edwards Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced”

Seminole Chamber Honors SSC Personnel

Two Seminole State College employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication during the monthly Seminole Chamber of Commerce Forum on April 11. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Sam Rivera was honored as “Faculty Member of the Month” and Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services Janna Manlapig was honored as “Professional Staff Member of the Month.”

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, along with the Lions Club and Blue Ribbon Realty, 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.

Sam Rivera

Rivera completed his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management at Union Institute and University. He received his master’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Oklahoma.

While living in California, Rivera served the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for 23 years before retiring. Following his time in Sacramento, Rivera took on the role of SSC Chief of Police from 2015 to 2017. Since that time, Rivera has held the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice.

He is involved with a number of campus organizations and committees. He is a member of the Assessment Learning Committee, the Chair of the Professional Development Committee and an advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Rivera and his wife Stephanie reside in Wewoka. They have four adult children: Samantha Kale of Foresthill, California; Andrew Rivera of Auburn, California; Ryan Rivera of Killeen, Texas; and Reagan Rivera of Shawnee.

Janna Manlapig

Manlapig received her bachelor’s degree in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University and her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

In her role as Director of Student Support Services and STEM Student Support Services she administrates grants and plays a key role in helping students with their academic pursuits.

She is involved with the Student Success Council and Professional Staff Council. She also sits on advisory boards for nursing and MLT. She is an active member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee, where she participates on the meal service team, plays in the hand bell choir and plays percussion for the youth service on Wednesday evenings.

She and her fiancée Holly reside in Shawnee. Manlapig has two children, Mitchell and Kamryn.