For most of us, the changes we’ve experienced in the last several months have been difficult to navigate. If you’re looking for healthy ways to cope with our new reality, consider the following tips from OTC Counseling Services: Maintain routines as much as possible. Whether you are returning to the classroom or participating in online learning, try…
The fall semester begins Aug. 24, and we’ve compiled our favorite OTC hacks to make your life a little easier in the coming weeks. Keep reading to learn how you can sign up for emergency text alerts, connect with student support services and more. 1. Sync your OTC email to your phone. It’s the easiest…
It’s been more than 150 days since we were last together on campus, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for the first day of classes. To ensure your health and wellness, and that of our faculty and staff, the fall semester will look a little different this year. Think of our return-to-campus plan…
Pediatric Occupational Therapist Marge Cheesman will be the recipient of Ozarks Technical Community College’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award. Formally presented each year at commencement, the award honors OTC alumni who have distinguished themselves for their career accomplishments and community service. With the college’s 2020 commencement ceremony canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheesman will accept…
OTC administrators and trustees, local community partners and state legislators celebrated the grand opening of the OTC Republic Center today, August 10. The new 30,000-square-foot facility is located on a 7.69-acre property near the west side of the city. The land was donated to OTC in 2015 by the Bussey, Cox and Lipscomb families. “It…
Crystal Robinson’s new degree in behavioral health support is the best of both worlds. She’s pursuing her dream career in social services, but entering the workforce two years sooner than she would have with a more traditional degree in the field. The mother of five says her own childhood experiences inspired her to pursue the…
In an effort to help students prepare for the upcoming fall semester, all OTC locations will be open Saturday, Aug. 15 and 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. Student services staff will be available at each campus and center to assist students with last-minute admissions, enrollment, advising, financial aid and student accounts services. Student services…
It’s no surprise that men dominate the fire service industry, with the National Fire Protection Association reporting more than 90 percent of firefighters as male. However, a mother/daughter duo from Pleasant Hope, Missouri is working against that trend. Andrea and Karleigh Lane recently completed their certification at OTC. The pair, who both work for the…
Audrey Sly was determined to become a dental hygienist, no matter the setbacks she faced. The young mother of two applied for OTC’s dental hygiene school not once, but twice before landing a spot in the coveted program. She also overcame numerous obstacles to earn her degree, including a devastating house fire and a global…
Ozarks Technical Community College’s Career Services will host an outdoor job fair on Wednesday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to noon in Lot K of the OTC Springfield Campus. The parking lot is located at the northeast corner of Central Street and Hampton Avenue. The job fair is free and open to the public. Physical…
It’s been hard to plan for the fall semester, but we’re here with news to make it a little easier. The OTC Foundation is extending its fall 2020 scholarship deadline through August 10. That means there’s still time to submit your one-size-fits-all application at this link. In other words, you don’t need to apply for…
Thanks to a new agreement between Ozarks Technical Community College and Southwest Baptist University, OTC paramedic graduates will have the opportunity to seamlessly transfer into SBU’s Associate of Science in Nursing program. “By establishing this pathway with SBU, we give our paramedic graduates the opportunity to build upon the education and experience they already possess,”…
Ozarks Technical Community College canceled its commencement ceremony scheduled for Aug. 19 at JQH Arena on the Missouri State University campus. This was the make-up event for the previously scheduled May 16 graduation, which was postponed due to COVID-19. “We spent the last three months planning, reimagining and doing everything in our power to create…
Heroes of the COVID-19 outbreak are often portrayed wielding stethoscopes and personal protective equipment. But one OTC graduate fought the virus with a hammer, tools and the latest HVAC technology instead. As the pandemic began its spread across southwest Missouri, Chad Porter – a senior project manager at Trane Technologies – worked with 20 other…
In an effort to maximize student safety and preserve high-quality learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ozarks Technical Community College is adjusting its fall semester. The college will begin the semester as originally planned on Aug. 24, and the last day of final exams will be Dec. 18. However, the following changes have been made…
The Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) – a national leader in helping Black and Latino young men navigate college – is moving its headquarters to Springfield, Missouri. The relocation is a point of pride for OTC student and local chapter president Javeon England, who says the change will provide local men of color with more…
Emerson, a global technology and engineering company based in St. Louis, donated $500,000 to Ozarks Technical Community College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM). “The next-generation of workers is vital for continuing to serve our customers with solutions and components for energy-efficient air-conditioning systems,” said Keith Calhoun, director of operations for Emerson’s compressor manufacturing locations in…
OTC alumni Bryce Gott and Shawnee Bullette believe food should be simple, accessible and locally sourced. That’s why they opened a new organic market called Culture Counter in Springfield’s Rountree neighborhood earlier this month. Bryce says his entrepreneurial endeavor will benefit both local farmers and communities alike. “I’d been feeling this push to become a…
The OTC Richwood Valley and Table Rock campuses will be under new leadership beginning July 1. Dr. Cliff Davis has been appointed president of the OTC Richwood Valley Campus, and Dr. Robert Griffith has been named president of the OTC Table Rock Campus. Griffith replaces Davis as president of the Table Rock Campus, while Davis…
The summer semester is officially underway, and we’ve compiled our favorite OTC hacks to make your life a little easier in the coming weeks. Keep reading to learn how you can get Canvas support, online tutoring services and more. Sync your OTC email to your phone. It’s the easiest way for you to keep up…
OTC graduate Igho Ekakitie is now one step closer to fulfilling his dream. The aspiring diplomat received a full-tuition scholarship to attend Webster University in St. Louis this fall. He plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in international relations with an emphasis in human rights. “I want to help people,” he said. “I want to…
Dr. Megan Weaver will serve as OTC’s Dean of Academic Services beginning July 1. The OTC Board of Trustees approved Weaver’s promotion at its monthly board meeting in June. She assumes the role previously occupied by Dr. Vivian Elder, who now oversees the college’s Bioclinical Sciences Department. As dean, Weaver will lead the college’s Academic…
The summer semester begins next week, and the majority of courses will be delivered online. While this form of instruction may be intimidating for some, others love the flexibility it provides. Regardless of your stance, you’ll want to follow these tips to set yourself up for success. Arrange for computer access and reliable internet in…
As Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start of summer, thousands of college students and graduates are looking for work. Whether you’re hunting for seasonal employment or your dream job, you’ll want to stop by OTC’s Career Services before beginning your search. Here are the top three reasons you should pay us a visit: Review…
Respiratory therapists like Emily Dye play a critical role in helping patients fight COVID-19. When the pandemic hit southwest Missouri, Emily was completing her first year on the job at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Her passion for respiratory therapy – and her heart for patient care – is seeing her through the crisis. “The cycle…