Seminole State College sophomore Kimberly Cotter, of Shawnee, was recently named the Outstanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Student for the 2019-2020 academic year. The Seminole State Educational Foundation honors one student from each of the College’s five divisions at its annual Spring Recognition Banquet. Due to restrictions on large gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event has been postponed, but each student will be recognized at a later date.

Cotter is a graduate of Dale High School. She will graduate from SSC in May with an associate degree in Agriculture Science.

“I’m so glad I chose SSC,” Cotter said. “I’m getting to do all the things I want. If you voice what you want to accomplish here, people will help you find a way to make it happen.”

Cotter was encouraged to compete as an independent in college rodeo earlier in the school year by Assistant Professor of Agriculture Wendy Rich.

She served on SSC’s first livestock judging team, she is an Ag ambassador, she is a member of the Aggie Club on campus, as well as a member in three honor societies: Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta and Nu Alpha Theta.

She shared her experiences at SSC with the College’s Board of Regents in the fall of 2019. President Lana Reynolds was so moved by her story that she asked Cotter to represent the College at Higher Ed Day at the State Capitol. Cotter was one of three students who addressed state leaders about the value of higher education.

In the fall, she intends to transfer to OSU and enroll in their animal science/pre-veterinary program. She hopes to become the fifth member of her family to complete the veterinary program in Stillwater, joining her mother, aunt and two cousins.