SSC and Gordon Cooper Technology Center Partnership Honored

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Seminole State College and Gordon Cooper Technology Center were among colleges, schools and businesses honored during a Business Partnership Excellence Awards Luncheon held March 12 at The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

Present at the Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award Luncheon (l-r) were: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Glen Johnson, OSRHE Vice Chair Ann Holloway, Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds, Superintendent of Gordon Cooper Technology Center Bob Perry, GCTC Director of Partner School Outreach Ashley Fichtner, GCTC Superintendent Administrative Assistant Ronda Brady, SSC Educational Foundation Advancement Coordinator Kelsie Guy, SSC Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Linda Goeller and SSC Rural Business and Resources Center Director Larry Smith.

The award, sponsored by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), annually honors outstanding partnerships that lead to significant contributions in educating and developing Oklahoma’s workforce.

Comments were made at the event by Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Glen Johnson gave the program address. The recognition of honorees was done by State Regent and former state Attorney General Mike Turpen. Fred Morgan, the President and Chief Executive Officer for the State Chamber of Oklahoma, received special recognition for his commitment to higher education and economic development.

Seminole State College and GCTC have worked cooperatively for decades, helping students achieve educational goals and, in turn, producing a better-trained workforce for Seminole, Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Okfuskee and Hughes counties.

The GCTC campus has provided classroom sites for numerous SSC college courses, both offered concurrently to high school students and the public. Additionally, two SSC high-level math courses, Calculus I and Calculus II are offered to GCTC students in Shawnee for college credit. Dramatic cuts in state funding caused SSC to look at closing their long-time medical laboratory technology program in late 2016. Through a partnership with GCTC, the program moved to new facilities provided by the technology center. A physical therapy assistant (PTA) program was also created, received national certification and graduated its first class last spring. Students completing the PTA program receive an Associate in Applied Science degree from SSC and are eligible for a licensure exam. A similar effort to meet local workforce needs has been developed by the two entities through a cooperative program in engineering.

 “We are so honored to have our partnership with the Gordon Cooper Technology Center recognized through this awards program. We see so many students benefit from the partnership and go on to accomplish great things in their careers,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said.

For more information about the OSRHE business partnership award, visit www.okhighered.org/RBPE.