State and local leaders, alongside Gov. Mike Kehoe, celebrated the groundbreaking of a $15 million state-funded expansion at the Alliance Education Center today. The project supports the Alliance for Healthcare Education — a first-of-its-kind partnership between healthcare and education leaders working to address Missouri’s critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a founding member of the Alliance, which launched in 2023 in collaboration with Missouri State University, Springfield Public Schools, and CoxHealth, later welcoming Evangel University as an education affiliate. The Alliance reflects Ozarks Tech’s ongoing commitment to creating affordable, streamlined pathways into healthcare careers by reducing millions of dollars in training costs and expanding access for more students.
Na’Kyah Duke, Ozarks Tech Middle College student
Through the Alliance, both traditional and non-traditional students — from high school juniors to working professionals — can gain career-ready skills. One such student is Na’Kyah Duke, a Hillcrest High School senior enrolled in the Ozarks Tech Middle College, who will graduate next spring just a few credits shy of an associate degree in bioclinical science. Thanks to Ozarks Tech’s partnership with the Alliance, her education has cost less than $200.
“I was nervous about stepping away from a traditional high school setting, but after my first day, I knew I had made the right choice,” Duke said. “It allows you to break the mold and pursue what excites you, surrounded by people who share that same drive. This is not just preparation for college — it’s the foundation for your future aspirations.”
Duke, who dreams of becoming a veterinarian, said she will graduate with a stronger understanding of how to succeed in college-level courses, placing her years ahead of many of her peers.
This fall, Ozarks Tech welcomed the first Alliance cohorts, including Middle College students like Duke who are beginning healthcare training early. These students gain hands-on experience in high-demand fields such as nursing, radiography, and sonography.
Quick Facts
Strong Student Demand at Ozarks Tech
- Enrollment Growth: Health sciences enrollment increased 17% this fall.
- Radiography & Sonography:
- Both programs quickly filled all 20 available seats for the fall 2025 cohort.
- Sonography: Restructured from a Bachelors to an Associates program. More than 2x applicants vs. seats.
- Radiography: 2 cohorts per year, August and January. The August cohort had 4x applicants vs. seats.
- Both programs quickly filled all 20 available seats for the fall 2025 cohort.
- Nursing: Runs in 8-week cycles with an expected 150 graduates annually. Cohorts offer evening/weekend options, traditional day seated, and day hybrid options throughout the year.
Student Affordability & Access
- Tuition Savings: Reduced fees compared to competitors are projected to save students $1.8 million in the first year.
- Workforce Retention: 85% of Ozarks Tech graduates remain in the college’s service area, directly supporting local healthcare needs.
Facilities & Partnerships
- New training center:
- 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at the Alliance Education Center.
- 40,000-square-foot renovation funded by the State of Missouri.
- Will feature simulation labs, skill labs and classrooms in a real-world clinical environment.
- New workforce affiliates include Burrell Behavioral Health and Citizens Memorial Hospital.
- 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at the Alliance Education Center.