Summary
Local information technology firm JMARK and Ozarks Technical Community College partnered to create the JMARK Cybersecurity Lab. JMARK's strategic investment in the college's cybersecurity program helps create career avenues for students to work at JMARK or other local companies.
Local information technology firm JMARK and Ozarks Technical Community College partnered to create the JMARK Cybersecurity Lab. JMARK’s strategic investment in the college’s cybersecurity program helps create career avenues for students to work at JMARK or other local companies.
Cybersecurity debuted at OTC in the fall of 2022. Immediately, cybersecurity was one of the most in-demand programs for students. For JMARK, the Cybersecurity Program and OTC’s long-established Computer Information Science, Computer Science and Information Technology Infrastructure Programs are training grounds for their future employees. Over 20 of JMARK’s more than 125 current employees are former OTC students.
“We support OTC and align with its mission,” said Tom Douglas, JMARK CEO. “If we can help create a pathway for a student into OTC and we hire them at JMARK or they go to work at another local organization, that positively impacts the entire community.”
In the fall of 2023, more than 100 students were enrolled in cybersecurity. More than 300 students were enrolled in computer information science, computer science and information technology infrastructure combined, making them some of the college’s most popular programs. The Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing (PMC), which opened in the fall of 2022, is home to all of OTC’s computer-related programs.
“We placed those programs in the PMC because advanced manufacturing requires employees with a high degree of technological training,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor. “Keeping networks running and safeguarding data allows the engines of commerce to run smoothly.”
The first class of OTC cybersecurity professionals will graduate on May 16.
