Months after refining its enrollment model to allow students to register for classes for a full year at a time, Ozarks Tech has recorded one of its largest spring classes over the past five years.

The spring semester began Monday, Jan. 13, and reflected a total enrollment of 9,753 students – a 6 percent increase from spring 2024.

“These are extremely encouraging numbers to see at this point in the academic year,” said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon. “More students committing to our programs means a stronger, larger workforce for our region when they graduate. It’s an excellent sign for our community and the employers in need of educated and trained employees.”

Ozarks Tech is the first community college in the state of Missouri to offer year-round enrollment to students. Rather than planning for just one semester at a time, faculty and staff developed a summer-fall-spring approach. Students were able to begin enrolling in March 2024 for classes they would take that summer through the current semester. The college will open year-round enrollment again in March 2025 for the next three semesters.

Dr. Tracy McGrady, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, expressed her gratitude to academic affairs leadership and faculty for taking a long-term planning approach to their work.

“This significant increase in spring enrollment tells us that year-round registration is something our students wanted, and our faculty and academic leadership rose to the challenge, even though planning a full year in advance has made their jobs more complex,” McGrady said. “Their willingness to adapt has created opportunities for students to stay on track and achieve their goals, which ultimately strengthens our entire region.”

This increase in student enrollment is also a reflection of the college’s continued commitment to the new student success model, which was established in 2022 and created a one-stop student services team to assist students with acclimation to college life, course planning, enrollment, financial aid and overall support.

“Seeing more students at our campuses and centers this spring is a testament to the incredible work of our team, whose mission is to support students from the day they apply until they cross the stage at graduation,” said Dr. Abigail Benz, executive vice chancellor for institutional and student success.

The increase this semester has been across all academic divisions, with strong numbers particularly in Health Sciences programs.

  • Health Sciences: up 14%
  • Arts, Science and Business: up 5%
  • Technical Education: up 2%

Ozarks Tech’s flexible course delivery options have also played a significant role in the increase. By offering a variety of learning formats – seated, online, hybrid and live online – students can choose the method that best fits their schedule and learning preferences. This adaptability ensures that education and training remain accessible to a diverse student population, including working adults, parents and those balancing multiple responsibilities.

For more information on enrolling at Ozarks Tech, visit otc.edu.