Seminole State College GEAR UP

10/03/2026

Zoe is making things happen at Seminole High School. 💚⚙️ 💚⚙️

She kicked off the first Freshman Career Luncheon, giving students a chance to hear directly from someone working in the field and ask real questions about what that career path looks like.

This first luncheon focused on Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security, and Zoe brought in someone especially meaningful to help make it happen: her dad, Captain Jimmy Blue with the Chickasha Fire Department.

A big thank you to Captain Blue for taking the time to invest in these students, share his experience, and support Zoe as she creates more opportunities for freshmen to explore their futures.

And kudos to Zoe for creating a new way for Seminole GEAR UP students to explore careers and start thinking about what they want their future to look like.

09/28/2026

One last look at National GEAR UP Week! 🎬

These aren’t exactly bloopers. They’re the extra laughs, behind-the-scenes moments and pieces that didn’t make the final cut but were still too good not to share.

Thank you again to every student, staff member, educator, family and community partner who recorded a video, shared photos, attended an event or helped us celebrate. Your participation brought GEAR UP Week to life and reminded us why we do this work.

GEAR UP Week may be over, but we’re just getting started!

09/27/2026

09/26/2026

Thank you to all of our GEAR UP students and families who joined us for Family Movie Night during National GEAR UP Week!

We loved spending the evening together with pizza, popcorn, Inside Out 2 and connections to local organizations that support families in our communities.

09/25/2026

National GEAR UP Week is a chance to celebrate the people who help students see what is possible.

Today, we’re highlighting the SSC GEAR UP team and the work they do every day to encourage, guide and support students across our partner schools. We also asked each team member to share a little about themselves and the people who helped light the way in their own lives.

09/24/2026

Tonight’s the night! 🎬🍿

Join us for SSC GEAR UP Family Movie Night featuring Inside Out 2!

📅 Thursday, September 24
⏰ 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
📍 Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Center at Seminole State College of Oklahoma
2701 Boren Boulevard, Seminole, Oklahoma

Enjoy free pizza and popcorn, meet representatives from local family resources and enter for a chance to win a 55-inch TV! One entry per family. You must be present to win.

We can’t wait to see you tonight!

09/23/2026

Student Spotlights!

These students are our why.

They are the reason behind every workshop, college visit, summer camp, classroom lesson and conversation about the future. Some are preparing for college. Others are exploring trade school, the military or careers they only recently discovered. Every goal matters, and every student deserves someone in their corner.

We are proud to help light the way, but even prouder to watch our students begin believing in everything they can become.

09/23/2026

For Lily, a ninth grader at Strother, GEAR UP has meant trying new things, from programming robots with TI calculators to exploring college campuses and discovering what she is capable of.

Her experience is a great example of GEAR UP in action: giving students opportunities to learn, explore and imagine what comes next.

Thank you, Lily, for sharing your story!

09/23/2026

Hailey Mack once looked to GEAR UP for guidance. Now, younger students are looking up to her.

The SSC graduate and former basketball player has studied abroad and continued her education in Colorado. She’s also returned to SSC’s GEAR UP summer camps to encourage students beginning their own college journeys.

For National GEAR UP Week, read how Hailey is going places and giving back where it all began:

Going Places and Giving Back Where It All Began September 19, 2026Josh Hutton When Hailey Mack arrived at Varnum High School as a freshman, she had two goals: go to college and play basketball. She accomplished both at Seminole State College. Along the way, she visited universities across the countr...

09/22/2026

What is SSC GEAR UP?

SSC GEAR UP is a federally funded program that begins supporting students in middle school and continues through graduation. This year, we serve 1,168 eighth and ninth grade students across 12 partner school districts and four Oklahoma counties.

Along the way, we help students explore careers, prepare for education and training after high school, and see more possibilities for their futures.

Swipe to get to know SSC GEAR UP!