SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation was awarded a $25,000 grant to fund scholarships for female students pursuing education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Coca-Cola Foundation Women in STEM Scholarship will give 25 students a $1,000 scholarship ($500 each semester) for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“We’ve seen women thrive in medical programs like nursing and dental hygiene, but women also find success in fields such as mathematics, physics, fire science and emergency medical services,” said Dr. Tracy McGrady, OTC vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These scholarships will encourage women to pursue STEM degrees and increase the diversity of qualified employees entering the workforce.”
According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), females make up roughly half of the workforce but fill only 28 percent of STEM jobs. The AAUW points out that this gap in attainment exists despite high school girls outperforming their male counterparts in math and science classes.
New and returning students enrolled in the following programs of study at OTC are eligible to apply for the Coca-Cola Foundation Women in STEM Scholarship.
| Agriculture | Diesel Technology |
Networking Technology |
| Automotive Technology | Drafting and Design Technology | Nursing |
| Aviation Flight Technology | Engineering | Occupational Therapy Assistant |
| Biological Clinical Science | Fire Science Technology | Paramedicine |
| Biology | Health Information Technology | Physical Therapist Assistant |
| Chemistry | Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | Precision Machining Technology |
| Computer Information Science | Industrial Systems Technology | Pre-Pharmacy |
| Computer Science | Information Technology | Remanufacturing Technology |
| Construction Technology | Manufacturing Technology | Respiratory Therapy |
| Dental Assisting | Mathematics | Surgical Technology |
| Dental Hygiene | Medical Laboratory Technician | Welding Technology |
A strong partnership between the OTC Foundation and Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company led to the college’s grant opportunity.
“When I heard about the grant opportunity from Coca-Cola, I immediately reached out to OTC,” said Sally Hargis, chairman of the board at Ozarks Coca-Cola. “These scholarships will have a positive impact on the students, and the college is turning out graduates with highly sought-after skills and training.”
The application for OTC Foundation scholarships opens on March 1, 2021.
The OTC Foundation is the fundraising arm of Ozarks Technical Community College and exists as a separate, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.