OTC technical education students brought home a total of 63 medals from the annual Southwest Missouri SkillsUSA District Competition. The district held competitions in five separate locations with more than 300 students from eleven different career centers/tech centers, taking part in more than 36 different skilled and written contests. Competitors showcased their skills by completing…
According to the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, one person dies from suicide every eight hours. To prevent loss of life among the communities it serves, Ozarks Technical Community College will implement Burrell Behavioral Health’s ONE Pledge to promote suicide prevention awareness and education. “Education is centered on people,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor.…
Creating opportunities for student success was the theme when faculty and staff convened for OTC’s third annual Innovation Celebration on February 22, 2022. The festive event celebrating the college’s culture of invention and reinvention was broadcast from Springfield’s White River Conference Center. Live streaming via YouTube made it possible for employees across all six OTC…
OTC joins the world of competitive video gaming this month, launching its first competitive esports team and gaming arena. The OTC eSports Arena debuts on Friday, Feb. 18 with an Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Come see the space, talk to the staff and meet like-minded students who are curious about this new…
People between the ages of 16-and-24 have the opportunity for free training at Ozarks Technical Community College through the Job Corps Scholars Program. Qualifying students have the opportunity to study more than 20 career and technical programs including computer information science, construction, culinary arts, manufacturing and welding. All of the programs can be completed in…
In 2019, Ozarks Technical Community College Theatre Instructor Jon Herbert joined the ensemble cast of “The Milly Project,” a play about race relations in the United States centered around Milly Sawyers, an enslaved, African-American woman who sued for and won her freedom in Greene County in 1834. In the fall of 2021, the play was…
Spring semester’s here, so what do you need to do to stay on top of your OTC game? Bookmark this blog! Utilizing these reliable resources and tech tips could turn your so-so semester into a triumphant term. Sync your OTC email to your phone. I know, who cares about email, amiright? I mean, nobody! —…
“I’ve lost count, but I think it’s safe to say I’ve had more than 70 surgeries during my life,” Hannah said. Born with VACTERL Association, congenital disabilities that affect multiple parts of the body, Hannah Baker faced many physical challenges as a child. The surgeries expanded her rib cage to help her breathe more easily…
Congratulations to our Fall 2021 Chancellor’s List, Provost’s List, and Dean’s List recipients! Students who complete 12 or more credit hours in a fall or spring semester are eligible for the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List. Recognition is based on the grade point average during that semester. The Dean’s List requires a GPA of 3.5…
As the clock winds down on the year, we’re taking a moment to look back on some of our favorite student success stories of 2021. Riley Braker: Award-winning songwriter graduates from high school, OTC simultaneously At just 18 years old, Riley Braker began attending Missouri State University this fall – not as a freshman…
Students come to OTC with a variety of challenges. Some disabilities, such as a hearing or vision impairment, are apparent. Other students have what professionals term “invisible” ailments. John came to Ozarks Technical Community College with both types of challenges. A cochlear implant allowed him to overcome his hearing impairment and progress from kindergarten through…
You’re mere days away from shutting down that phone, closing your laptop and enjoying some hot cocoa and Winter Break fun. But before you do, here are the top four top tips recommended by OTC staff to give you the smoothest possible start to 2022. Here’s to a great spring semester! 4. Talk to your…
Finals week is rapidly approaching. Traditionally, the week before is a time for nail-biting and anxiety (not to mention the occasional Taco Bell-fueled all-night study session)… but we’re ready to start a new tradition. The week before finals week is now officially dubbed De-Stress Week at OTC! We have a week of calm, soothing activities…
Ozarks Technical Community College announced Sgt. Anthony Risvold as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Veteran Award during the college’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, held Thursday, Nov. 11. 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…
It’s hard to categorize the movie “Voices from Vietnam.” Yes, it’s a film, but what type? Documentary? Short feature film? A recording of poetry read over music? “You’ve never seen a film like this,” said Larry Rottmann, the film’s narrator and a former OTC English instructor. “We’ve created a new genre.” Despite the challenge of…
Too many people experience harm at the hands of an intimate partner, but we can all take steps to make our campus and community safer. See the resources and information below to learn how you can be part of the solution. Learn More About Domestic Violence Dating or domestic violence is when one partner…
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2022-23 school year opens on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Here are six reasons to fill out the form ASAP. Some aid is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students who apply for the Access Missouri Grant program between Feb. 1 and Apr.…
Giovanni Sanchez has overcome more challenges than most 20-year-olds. Now, a semester away from an associate degree in computer science, Giovanni is the first OTC student ever to earn the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship. Born in California to Mexican parents, Giovanni, like his three siblings, is a United States citizen, but his parents are not.…
Heads up, Eagles. Now’s the time to apply for scholarships for the spring semester. The spring 2022 scholarship applications are open from now through Nov. 1 for all OTC students. But, before you get started, we have some need-to-know information and tips to help your application stand out from the rest. Choose a scholarship There…
The fall semester begins 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. Sync your OTC email to your phone. It’s the easiest way for you…
The fall 2021 semester is finally here, and we’re kicking things off with our annual Eagle Days events! Between the free food, giveaways and special appearances by Ozzy the Eagle, we can’t think of a better way to start the school year. Check out the events happening at the Springfield campus, and make plans to…
For a young person who spent their entire life in the Ozarks, the chance to leave home for college is enticing; but for many students, leaving their hometown isn’t as satisfying as they’d hoped. When she graduated from Parkview in 2015, Megan Dean followed the siren song of bright lights and the big city to…
Dear New OTC Student: Welcome to Ozarks Technical Community College! College is such an exciting new adventure that you are starting. Our motto here at OTC is “You have a dream. We have a plan.” So, whatever your dreams are coming into college, just know that we have a plan and the support systems to…
OTC is delighted to share this message from Student Ambassador Marin Nielsen to our incoming students. I’m Marin Nielsen and I graduated from Rolla High School in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. I began my education here at OTC last fall and have fallen in love with this school. I want…
OTC is delighted to feature this letter from Student Ambassador David Cox to incoming students. Dear New OTC Student: I want to welcome you to Ozarks Technical Community College! You are about to embark on one of the most exciting times in your life, and everyone here is excited to see all the amazing…