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 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…
Congratulations to our Spring 2020 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…
Dear students, faculty and staff: I am writing to you today with sentiments that I know are widely shared among the OTC community. Recently, we witnessed the horrifying deaths of George Floyd and other Black Americans. As a result, citizens are expressing their frustration, pain and moral outrage through protests across the country. The difficult…
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…
The role of “first responder” has a double meaning for OTC student Kyle Heminger. The Forsyth native will soon graduate with not one but two associate degrees in Fire Science and Paramedicine. While that’s a major accomplishment itself, this husband and father of three did it while working full-time as a firefighter for the Ozark…
Nurses and physicians figure prominently in coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there’s another vital group of health care professionals who don’t always get the same recognition: respiratory therapists. OTC graduate Jeff Atkinson is a prime example, having treated nearly a dozen critical COVID-19 patients so far at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Jeff is…
Dear students: As we near the end of this semester, I would like to congratulate each and every one of you. I am proud of the resolve and strength of our OTC family, especially in the weeks following spring break when we all had to adjust our lives due to COVID-19. For many of you,…
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the lives of college students around the world. For most of us, the sudden withdrawal from our campus and community has been a stressful experience. To help you cope with this challenging period, consider the following tips for staying well from OTC Counseling Services: Maintain routines as much as possible. Whether…
OTC alumnus Sean Barnhill found his calling in a time of crisis. As the COVID-19 pandemic began its spread across the globe, Sean landed an important position with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. As the public health information specialist, Sean will provide critical information to the community as it relates to COVID-19. A former KY3…
Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, recognized OTC’s Alpha Psi Tau Chapter at its first-ever virtual convention held April 16. The chapter’s Honors in Action Hallmark Award entry, “Historic Route 66: Transforming Geographic and Psychological Connections,” was selected from among 495 entries to be included as one of sixteen articles in…
After pursuing their degrees in unconventional ways, Brent and Maddi Rainey are about to graduate in unconventional times. The couple, married with two small children, is putting themselves through nursing school in the middle of a global pandemic. Their determination and grit is about to pay off in a big way, too. Brent and Maddi…
Anthony Sandoval has always been passionate about the environment – so much so, that he plans to make it his life’s work. The OTC alumnus dreams of landing a job at the Environmental Protection Agency someday, where he can enforce environmental law, enact conservation programs and educate the public on environmental issues. “We have one…
OTC Students, you are amazing. Over the last few weeks, I have had a front-row seat to all the hard work you have put in amid a significant disruption to normal life. In my role as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, I oversee all the academic functions of the college. I’m writing today…
While the start of our summer and fall semesters might seem far away, registration is just around the corner beginning April 21! The OTC Academic Advising Team sees a lot of students make the same planning and registration mistakes semester after semester. To help, we’ve created a list of things you can do to ensure…
In the wake of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, OTC is moving its courses online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. We recognize the challenges that may come with this transition – particularly for those of you who may not have regular access to a computer or Wi-Fi. What we’re doing In…
OTC alumnus Luke Bradshaw had no problem landing a job in his field upon graduation. In fact, all he had to do was ask. The 21-year-old worked in the shipping department of Ample Industries, a custom label printing company. He told the CEO he earned his Electronic Media Production degree from OTC, and the company…
And cut! That’s a wrap for OTC’s fourth-annual film festival. In total, 28 teams competed under a tight deadline to create a 5-minute film. The catch? Each film had to contain a set of creative elements that included specific visual cues, props, lines of dialogue and music. You can view the submitted films in their entirety here. Keep scrolling for the…
Did you know that OTC awards more than $900,000 in scholarships to students each year? That’s a lot of dough. Now’s the time to apply for OTC’s 2020 summer and fall semester scholarships. If you’re ready to apply, click HERE. Need more information? How about some scholarship application tips? Read on. Choose a scholarship There…
Alexis Richards’ future is like a fresh canvas, full of possibility. In May, the 20 year old will graduate from OTC and transfer to one of the oldest, most-renowned art schools in the country, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She recently accepted one of the most notable awards granted by the institution –…
In an effort to encourage innovation at every level within the OTC System, the college hosted its inaugural Innovation Celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The event, attended by the college’s 500+ full time employees, recognized individuals, departments and programs for their exceptional contributions to the college. Three Trailblazer Awards were bestowed to employees who positively…
Before Keith Crisman graduated from Bowling Green (Missouri) High School in 2001, he was told that he wasn’t “college material.” Nearly 20 years later, Keith, an Ozarks Technical Community College graduate, is a candidate for a Ph.D. in Human Centered Design through the Florida Institute of Technology. What is Human Centered Design? According to Keith,…