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Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles (first row, third from left) poses alongside other members of the Arbuckle Panel at the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall on mental wellness.

SSC Professor Attends Oklahoma Academy Town Hall on Mental Wellness

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles recently attended the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall. This year’s event was held at the River Spirit Hotel in Tulsa from Nov. 7-10.

The Oklahoma Academy is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established to provide citizens with the opportunity to discuss public policy and make recommendations. The organization was founded by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon in 1967. The organization adopted its Town Hall process in 2001. Since its adoption, the process has led to the passing of 77 pieces of legislation.

Pictured is Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles, who participated in the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall from Nov. 7-10 at the River Spirit Hotel in Tulsa.
Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles participated in the 2021 Oklahoma Academy Town Hall from Nov. 7-10 at the River Spirit Hotel in Tulsa

This year’s theme was “A Path for a Healthier Oklahoma: Addressing Mental Health and Improving Mental Wellness

SSC President Lana Reynolds nominated Knowles to attend the Town Hall and join a discussion group. Knowles has worked at the College for 12 years. Beyond teaching psychology, she also coordinates the SSC Help Center, a place on campus for students to find support when facing mental health issues.

Knowles served on a panel group during the event. There, along with other attendees, she made recommendations on mental health public policies based on extensive research and questions posed by the event’s organizers.

The Oklahoma Academy will release its official recommendations in January, prior to the legislative session.

Pictured are the Nineteen nursing students that participated in the pinning ceremony at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center.

Expected Graduates of SSC’s Nursing Program Recognized at Pinning Ceremony

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College held a pinning ceremony at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on Dec. 9 for nursing students expected to meet degree requirements this semester.

Due to the program’s continued growth, this marked the third year the College has hosted a pinning ceremony in the fall. The following 19 students were eligible to complete degree requirements and are expected graduates: Savannah Bagwell, Autumn Bowie, Kelsey Britton, Devin Carpenter, Jessica Davidson, Cylie Holik, Landry King, Noah Kolarik, Nancy Lerma, Jessica Lindsey, Kayci Loveland, Michelle Mayfield, Keli Moucka, Sean Moucka, Haley Perry, Jessica Stockton, Lindsey Vazquez, Shanna Visnieski and Makenzie Yort.

Pictured (left to right): Nursing Program Director Crystal Bray, Assistant Professor Cynthia Tainpeah, nursing graduate Michelle Mayfield, Assistant Professor Damalia Lester and Assistant Professor Sheryl Denton pose during SSC Nursing's pinning ceremony.
Nursing faculty recognized SSC student Michelle Mayfield, of Shawnee, with the Spirit of Nursing Award at the pinning ceremony on Dec. 9. Pictured (left to right): Nursing Program Director Crystal Bray, Assistant Professor Cynthia Tainpeah, nursing graduate Michelle Mayfield, Assistant Professor Damalia Lester and Assistant Professor Sheryl Denton.
Online Degree Office Student Navigator Laura Votaw informs perspective students of Seminole State College’s online degree programs at a recent event.

SSC Online Program Expands Degree Offerings

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College has widened its online degree selection from three degrees to 13 for the spring 2022 semester. SSC’s first three 100% online degrees were launched in the fall 2021 semester. Those degrees were in Business, Criminal Justice and Liberal Studies. The SSC Online Degree Office started the semester with a goal of enrolling 30 students into those programs and by the end of the Fall semester, nearly 100 students were enrolled. Throughout the past 6 months, the office has received over 500 inquiries about programs and multiple requests for other online degrees. To meet those requests, Seminole State has launched an additional 10 programs for the Spring 2022 semester. Those programs are Business Operations (AAS), Psychology, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Child Development, Enterprise Development in Arts, Enterprise Development in Science, Applied Technology, LPN to RN and Early College Certificate.

Continue reading “SSC Online Program Expands Degree Offerings” →
SSC Classified Staff President Stacey Foster (left) and Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs Toni Wittmann (right) ready gifts for the Angel Tree program.

SSC Employees and Students Provide Christmas Gifts to Local Children

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College employees and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society students recently provided gifts to 47 children participating in the Angel Tree programs sponsored by the Salvation Army and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The Angel Tree program connects donors with children in need. SSC employees purchased clothing and toys and donated the items.

The SSC Classified Staff Association, Professional Staff Association and PTK students organized the effort.

Koda Lindsey, age three, concentrates on his artwork Monday evening at the “SSC Night at the Lights” event.

SSC’s Night at the Lights Draws Large Crowd

Josh Hutton

Seminole State College hosted its annual “SSC Night at the Lights” event Dec. 6 at Magnolia Park in Seminole. Local families enjoyed the community Snowman Wonderland light display, as well as cookies and hot chocolate provided by the College. Holiday arts and crafts packets were handed out to families. SSC student athletes joined in the fun by coloring with children in attendance inside the Reynolds Wellness Center.

Continue reading “SSC’s Night at the Lights Draws Large Crowd” →
Pictured (left to right): Workforce staffer Danita Williams, SSC Employee Readiness Assistant Job Skills Specialist Christina Parsons, SSC Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Linda Goeller, SSC Director of Employment Readiness Veronica Taylor and Workforce staffer Scarlet Figueroa pose with the Happy Holiday Tree, decorated with winter clothing items available to those in need

SSC and Workforce Oklahoma Partner to Provide Winter Clothing

Josh Hutton

The Seminole State College Employment Readiness Program and the Workforce Oklahoma are providing hats, scarves, gloves and socks for those in need at their shared location in downtown Seminole. The clothing items are arranged on a Christmas tree outside of the Employment Readiness office and available to the public. The clothing items were donated by a YouTube crocheting community, SSC and Workforce employees.

Continue reading “SSC and Workforce Oklahoma Partner to Provide Winter Clothing” →