Pictured is an early concept render of SSC’s natatorium renovation. It shows plans to create a wellness center in the space that previously housed the campus swimming pool. The Board of Regents approved two bids for the project at their meeting on Aug. 23.

SSC Board of Regents Approve Bids for Renovation Project

August 23, 2023August 24, 2023Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Board of Regents reviewed bids for the institution’s natatorium renovation project and made updates to the employee policy manual regarding compensation at their meeting on Aug. 23.

Prior to the discussion of business items, President Lana Reynolds spoke about personnel changes, reported on enrollment numbers and presented SSC’s 22-23 Annual Report publication to members of the Board. The Annual Report encapsulates the achievements, milestones, community partnerships and endeavors undertaken by the College over the past year. A digital version of the publication may be viewed at sscok.edu/news/annual-report.

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Congresswoman Bice Meets with Students and Community Leaders at SSC

August 23, 2023August 23, 2023Josh Hutton

Pictured (left to right): Chairty Hair, Amberlynn Mathews, Rep. Bice and Daylan Saxon.

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Bice visited Seminole State College on Aug. 22. She was greeted by three freshman President’s Leadership Class students from Seminole. The students made Congresswoman Bice an honorary member of PLC and presented her with a welcome package, including the 2023 PLC “Together We Grow” t-shirt. Pictured (left to right): Chairty Hair, Amberlynn Mathews, Rep. Bice and Daylan Saxon.

Pictured: (seated, left to right) Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon, Assistant Chief of the Seminole Nation Brian Palmer, Director of the SSC Rural Business and Resources Center Danny Morgan, Brewster and Associates Consultant Karel Brewster and Seminole Chamber Executive Director Amy Britt; (standing, left to right) State Senator Grant Green (District 28), President of BancFirst Debbie Kuykendall, President of Security State Bank Mark Schell, Pam Robinson Real Estate Broker Associate Dillon Robinson, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Congresswoman Bice, Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jenna Geohagan, Superintendent of Seminole Schools Dr. Bob Gragg, State Representative Danny Williams (District 28), President of First United Bank Billy Norton and Seminole City Attorney and Assistant Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard Brad Carter.

SSC hosted a luncheon for U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Bice with several local community leaders. Pictured: (seated, left to right) Seminole City Manager Steve Saxon, Assistant Chief of the Seminole Nation Brian Palmer, Director of the SSC Rural Business and Resources Center Danny Morgan, Brewster and Associates Consultant Karel Brewster and Seminole Chamber Executive Director Amy Britt; (standing, left to right) State Senator Grant Green (District 28), President of BancFirst Debbie Kuykendall, President of Security State Bank Mark Schell, Pam Robinson Real Estate Broker Associate Dillon Robinson, SSC President Lana Reynolds, Congresswoman Bice, Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jenna Geohagan, Superintendent of Seminole Schools Dr. Bob Gragg, State Representative Danny Williams (District 28), President of First United Bank Billy Norton and Seminole City Attorney and Assistant Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard Brad Carter.

Pictured: Freshmen members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class pose for a group photo during a reception at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Aug. 21.

SSC Announces New President’s Leadership Class

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023Josh Hutton

Seminole State College has selected 21 freshmen students for Class XVI of the President’s Leadership Class. PLC is a two-year scholarship program created to help students develop leadership skills and provide personal and professional growth opportunities.

The freshmen met for an orientation session at the College prior to the start of classes. They, along with their parents, attended a reception held at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Monday, August 21, where College administrators and Eileen Castle, the Executive Director of the museum, spoke.

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SSC’s Concurrent Enrollment Aids High School Students’ Higher Education Journey

August 8, 2023August 8, 2023Josh Hutton

Abby (left) and Hannah (right) Ridley, of Tecumseh, earned both their high school diplomas from The Academy of Seminole and their associate degrees from Seminole State College in May of 2023. Enrollment is still open at SSC with classes set to begin Aug. 14.

There is still time for high school juniors and seniors to enroll in concurrent classes at Seminole State College before the fall semester begins on Aug. 14, with late enrollment open until Aug. 18. Concurrent enrollment helps students earn college credit hours before their high school graduation.

“We place tremendous emphasis on partnerships with local high schools, ensuring that our concurrent students receive the necessary resources and support to thrive academically,” Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles said. “With concurrent enrollment, high school students can effectively prepare for their future goals while earning valuable dual credit.”

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SSC STEM Faculty Attend Symposium on Addressing the Needs of Variable Learners

August 8, 2023August 8, 2023Josh Hutton

Seminole State College STEM Division Chair and Associate Professor of Mathematics Emily Carpenter (left) and Assistant Professor of STEM Melissa Bryant (right) attended the ninth annual CAST UDL Symposium from July 31 to Aug. 1 in Denver, Colorado. UDL, or Universal Design for Learning, is a framework for addressing the educational needs of diverse and variable learners. The goal of UDL is to eliminate inequities in education. Carpenter and Bryant’s attendance and professional development at the event was made possible through the SSC Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) federal grant program.

Pictured, SSC Admissions Clerk Jessica Guinn assists a student with the admissions process at SSC.

SSC Extends Office Hours Ahead of Aug. 14 Start Date

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023Josh Hutton

With the fall semester beginning Aug. 14, Seminole State College will hold extended enrollment hours to cater to prospective and returning student schedules from Aug. 7 to Aug. 12.

During the week of Aug. 7, SSC will provide guided campus tours, along with complimentary t-shirts and popcorn for attending students. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle with the chance to win either a $250 or $500 tuition waiver. The drawing for the raffle is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on Aug. 12.

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Pictured is Leslie Sewell, who began her new role as Seminole State College’s Athletic Director in July. She is currently the only woman to serve in that role across all two-year colleges in Oklahoma.

Former Trojan Softball Player Takes the Helm as SSC Athletic Director

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023Josh Hutton

At a glance, Leslie Sewell’s journey from softball player to Athletic Director at Seminole State College might seem like a series of coincidences, a simple trajectory of luck—both good and bad.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

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An Army National Guard recruiter speaks with SSC students during a career and transfer fair last fall. The College is now offering textbook waivers to Oklahoma National Guard members who qualify for the state’s Educational Assistance Program.

Oklahoma National Guard Members Receive Tuition and Textbook Assistance at SSC

July 31, 2023July 31, 2023Josh Hutton

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard will now have the cost of their tuition, fees and textbooks covered when attending Seminole State College. Beginning with the fall semester, which starts Aug. 14, SSC is extending textbooks waivers to add to the benefits members of the National Guard receive through the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

“In appreciation of their service, we wanted to extend textbook waivers to students who qualify for EAP. We want to ease the financial burden of obtaining course materials,” SSC Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Melaine Rinehart said.

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SSC Talent Search’s Annual Camp Provides Learning Experiences and Adventure for High School Students

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023Josh Hutton

Forty-seven 9th and 10th graders from 15 different area schools pose for a group photo during the Seminole State College Talent Search/FOCUS annual residential camp on the College’s campus.

From July 10 to July 13, the Seminole State College Talent Search/FOCUS grant program held their annual residential camp on the College’s campus. Forty-seven 9th and 10th graders from 15 different area schools were in attendance and were able to experience team building, leadership exercises, cultural activities and outdoor adventures.

Talent Search/Focus students pose for a photo at Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma after watching a live performance.

During the camp, Talent Search/Focus students toured and watched a performance at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Pictured in life jackets, several members of the Seminole State College Talent Search/FOCUS grant program prepare for white water rafting at Riversport OKC.

Students also enjoyed white water rafting at Riversport OKC (pictured) and a trip to Frontier City. For more information about the Talent Search Program, please visit http://www.sscok.edu/sponsored-grant-programs/talent-search/ or call 405-382-9709.

SSC Web and Multimedia Coordinator Brooks Nickell (left), Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle (center) and Communications Coordinator Josh Hutton (right) won eight awards, including Best of Show, at the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association conference at the Downstream Resort and Casino in Quapaw on July 10.

SSC Public Relations Team Wins Top Prize in Statewide Competition

July 13, 2023July 13, 2023Josh Hutton

Seminole State College’s public relations team won Best of Show at the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) annual conference at the Downstream Resort and Casino in Quapaw on July 10. The team won the top prize for their “Together We Grow” brand campaign, which centers around interviews with students, alumni, faculty and community partners. More than 500 entries were submitted in the competition from higher education institutions across Oklahoma.

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