The first season of esports at Ozarks Technical Community College far exceeded expectations. That’s the assessment of the college’s esports advisor, Dr. Tiffany Ford. “We definitely had more students than we expected,” Dr. Ford said. “The competitive esports team is as large as we can manage right now.” Esports launched at the college in the…
We don’t live in a Monday-through-Friday world. Families, jobs and community duties sometimes make it difficult for students to take classes at traditional times. OTC has developed a suite of Saturday courses that allows students to maintain their life responsibilities while moving closer to their goals. Developed to accommodate the needs of our busy students,…
In higher education, it is a common practice to offer science survey courses to non-science majors. While the official names for these courses may be “Basic Physics,” they are often referred to as “Physics for poets.” Most colleges offer several “for poets” courses, which feature wide-ranging technical concepts and little math. However, there is no…
The 2022-23 school year marks the fifteenth year of operation for the Middle College at Ozarks Technical Community College. In 2007, Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder approached then-new OTC Chancellor Dr. Hal Higdon with an idea to lower the high school dropout rate and help credit-deficient students get back on track. The Middle…
The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Ozarks Technical Community College graduate Kaila DeJonge has suffered, and she has found meaning. In 1999, at just six months old, another driver hit the car carrying Kaila, her mother and two older sisters.…
Ozarks Technical Community College announced Nathan Summerfield as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Veteran Award during the college’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, held Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. OTC’s Outstanding Student Veteran Award is presented annually to a student in good academic standing with an honorable service record. The student’s personal conduct, contributions, and…
You might have been surprised to discover you have a college navigator. “What is a college navigator?” might be the follow-up question, so here’s what you need to know. “All OTC students now have a college navigator to support them with long-term financial and academic planning,” says Steve Fouse, College Director of Student Success. “The…
For Ozarks Technical Community College student Joe Nachtigal, OTC wasn’t just the first college he attended. It was the first school of any kind he ever set foot inside. “I’d never attended school,” Joe said. “School used to be on the couch.” At just 19 years old, Joe will finish a degree in Information Technology…
The 2023-24 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is here and ready to be filled out. It’s your first step to qualify for loans and grants. Once you’ve completed your FAFSA, you can apply anytime until Nov. 1 for OTC’s Spring scholarships – that could mean FREE MONEY. Scholarships range from $500 per…
Ozarks Technical Community College graduate Tyler Kahler is a big fan of the late chef, author and television host Anthony Bourdain. Tyler and Bourdain have a lot in common. They both have a passion for preparing good food. They’re also both storytellers. But while Bourdain’s stories involve food, drink and good company, Tyler’s tales come…
Mental Health Week at OTC is Sept. 26-30. Join OTC Counseling Services and the Office of Student Engagement at “Let’s Taco ‘Bout Mental Health” events supporting Mental Health Awareness. Stop by for goodies (while supplies last), mental health techniques and important information. Monday, Sept. 26 – Taco ‘Bout Your Feelings, Donut Bottle Them Up Having…
Fewer than 2% of teenage mothers graduate college by age 30. When Dee King heard that statistic, she knew she couldn’t do anything about being a teen mom, but she was determined not to become a part of the 98%. Her son, Shane, was born in Dee’s hometown of Missoula, Montana, just before Christmas, during…
How can you utilize tech to up your OTC game? First of all, bookmark this blog! Second, read this blog. We’ve got the helpful tech hacks that will level up your semester! Sync your OTC email to your phone Nobody cares about email … except for, well, pretty much everyone that is on campus to…
The fall 2022 semester is finally here, and so are Eagle Days – the extra special activities during the first week of classes. Find an event (or 10!) to attend between classes. It’s five days packed with fun and free stuff! Be sure to document your back-to-school adventures on social with #OTCEaglePride. You just might…
I write to you on the eve of a transformational event for the people of the Ozarks and the state of Missouri. Tomorrow, August 15, 2022, Ozarks Technical Community College will hold a grand opening for the new Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing. This state-of-the-art facility is a game changer for our economy,…
The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a relatively new state financial aid tool designed to help non-traditional age students seek a college education in subjects that are in high demand throughout the state. Students must be 25 or older or, if younger than 25, have been out of school for two years or more.…
Like most Ozarks Technical Community College students, Andrew Foell was a first-generation college student. No one in his immediate or extended family graduated from college. And before attending OTC, Andrew’s knowledge of the state’s colleges and universities was pretty limited. “I knew Mizzou was in Columbia, and I knew about Missouri State because of (former…
Ozarks Technical Community College graduate Stevi Kay Berry is a recipient of the prestigious Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship for the 2022-2023 school year. Berry will use the $5,000 annual grant to pursue a bachelor’s degree in speech and theatre education at Missouri State University. Managed by the Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation, the Purdy Emerging…
Ozarks Technical Community College graduate Noah Duwe is a recipient of the prestigious Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship for the 2022-2023 school year. Duwe will use the $5,000 annual grant to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at Missouri State University. Managed by the Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation, the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship…
Our friends at the Hamra Family Library have great suggestions for summer reading. We’re sure you’ll find these books entertaining and surprising, with something for the lover of serious, true-life scenarios as well as fun, escapist fiction. You can check them out from the OTC library (some in multiple formats, such as audiobook), so feel…
OTC students have brought home the gold again. The SkillsUSA National Championships were held in Atlanta during the 58th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference on June 20-24, 2022. Students, teachers, education leaders and representatives from 650 national corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions were participants. OTC is proud of and congratulates all…
It may be easy for someone who has never suffered from addiction to ask, “Why would anyone start doing drugs? Just don’t start, and you’ll never get addicted.” As soon-to-be OTC graduate Denise Shirley can tell you, addiction isn’t about that first time but how each decision leads to another unfortunate decision. Denise’s substance use…
When Ozarks Technical Community College dental hygiene student Sam Patel would give a patient an injection in the OTC Dental Clinic, his hands were always steady. His fellow dental hygiene students took notice. “They would ask me, ‘Why don’t your hands shake when you give an injection?’” Sam chuckled. “I would tell them I just…
Ozarks Technical Community College is delighted to announce the return of OTC Weekend @ The Zoo, celebrating OTC’s conservation collaboration with Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri. On June 25-26, OTC employees and students with a college ID can visit the zoo for free, and bring up to four guests at half price. Children age…
Homeschooling expanded massively during the height of the pandemic and is still growing in popularity. To help current and future homeschooling families explore training and credentialing options for their students, OTC is offering a new Homeschool Open House on Thursday, June 16. Events begin at 6 p.m. in Lincoln Hall on OTC’s Springfield campus. OTC…