SSC and Seminole Public Schools Partnership Honored

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Seminole State College and Seminole Public Schools were among colleges, schools and businesses honored during a Business Partnership Excellence Award Luncheon held Tuesday, March 13 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. 

Seminole School Board member Claudia Willis; Seminole School Board member Linda Hampton; Seminole School Superintendent Alfred Gaches; SSC President Lana Reynolds; SSC Director of Community Relations Kristin Dunn and Director of SSC Educational Foundation Rural Business and Resources Center Larry Smith.
Present at the Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award Luncheon (l-r) were: Seminole School Board member Claudia Willis; Seminole School Board member Linda Hampton; Seminole School Superintendent Alfred Gaches; SSC President Lana Reynolds; SSC Director of Community Relations Kristin Dunn and Director of SSC Educational Foundation Rural Business and Resources Center 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.
SSC President Lana Reynolds explained that Seminole State College and Seminole Public Schools have worked cooperatively together for decades.

“This partnership has helped improve the economic climate of Seminole, specifically during the past three years. I believe our collective efforts have and will continue to be successful because together, we are focused on helping students achieve their educational goals,” said Reynolds. 


In July 2015, the Seminole Public Schools superintendent contacted SSC in search of a temporary new home for the high school after it was forced to vacate its old location. The SSC Educational Foundation offered to lease the school its vacant Dan Boren Business Development Center. 
Working together, the college, city and public school remodeled the 25,000-square-foot building. In three short weeks, the entire facility was updated to include 24 classrooms, faculty offices and a lounge area. Additionally, the parking lots were refurbished, exterior lighting was updated, and computer access was enhanced. The building exterior was also repainted in the school colors of green and white. Later, science labs were added to the rear of the building, as well as walkways to connect the labs to the main building.
Through cooperative efforts, SSC has worked with Seminole schools to better serve students. SSC facilities have been open to hosting band concerts, prom events, academic banquets, testing events, athletic competitions and graduation ceremonies. Also, through cooperative efforts, hundreds of high school students have been able to get a head start on their college careers by taking concurrent classes at SSC.
In September, 2017, a school bond passed for the construction of a new Seminole High School. The new facility will be located across the highway from Seminole State College, creating more opportunities for building future partnerships.

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