The Seminole State College Board of Regents met Jan. 19 to discuss proposed repairs to the Ben and Bonnie Walkingstick Student Services Center and to review the terms of President Lana Reynolds’ employment. The College’s annual Year-in-Review publication was also unveiled during the meeting.

The meeting opened with a review of the College’s recent expenditures by Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Melanie Rinehart.

SSC President Lana Reynolds then presented her President’s Report, which included an update on personnel changes, information about campus activities and an update on spring semester enrollment numbers.

The President’s Report concluded with a presentation of the 2022 Year-in-Review. The publication opens with a letter from President Reynolds, highlights the top stories and documents campus news over the span of the past year month by month. This year’s top stories were the recovery efforts following the devastation of the May 4 tornado in Seminole, the College’s rescheduled commencement following the disaster, the across-the-board pay raises for all full-time employees approved by the Board in June and the grand opening of the Brian Crawford Memorial Sports Complex in October. The Year-in-Review is available to the public on the College’s website, sscok.edu.

With the first item on the agenda, the Board reviewed water and storm damage to the north and south entrances of the Ben and Bonnie Walkingstick Student Services Center. Chairman Ryan Pitts and Regent Curtis Morgan joined campus administrators for a meeting with contractors last week to evaluate their findings. Action for addressing the problems will be proposed on a future Board agenda.

The second action item was the review of President Reynolds’ employment. In accordance with Board Policy, the President is evaluated each year prior to the January meeting. The evaluation process is conducted according to the wishes of the Board Chair. Six years ago, Reynolds was named to the position of President, beginning her tenure in July of 2017.

It was reported that President Reynolds met with Chairman Ryan Pitts earlier this month to review performance and discuss challenges and successes of the last year, as well as to establish goals for the coming year.

The Board retired into executive session to discuss President Reynolds’ evaluation and contract. When the Board returned to public session, President Reynolds’ contract was extended, and she was given a 5 percent raise, mirroring the percentage of increase full-time employees received last summer.

“We believe President Reynolds is very admired in both the Seminole State College and local communities. The Board appreciates her dedication and love for the College and her community involvement,” Chairman Pitts said. “We’re excited to see what the College accomplishes under her leadership in 2023.”

Reynolds added, “I have been honored to serve in this capacity through some very rewarding and yet challenging times. I love this college, our students and our employees and I appreciate the Board’s confidence and support in allowing me to continue to serve.”

Board members present at the meeting were: Chairman Ryan Ptts, Bryan Cain, Marci Donaho, Kim Hyden, Curtis Morgan and Robyn Ready.

The next SSC Board of Regents meeting is set for Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.