OTC named one of top 120 community colleges in the nation

The Ozarks Technical Community College system has been designated as one of the top 120 community colleges in the United States, representing the top 10% of the approximately 1,200 eligible institutions.  The Aspen Institute, a Washington, D.C., based non-profit organization, presented the winners this week with the help of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden and a community college professor.

The top community colleges were chosen by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, which is a division of the Institute that focuses on identifying and replicating campus-wide practices that significantly improve college student outcomes.  Eligible colleges were judged on student success in persistence and completion, consistent improvement in outcomes over time, and equity in outcomes for students of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

“This recognition is a great honor, and we are pleased to be included among the selected institutions,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College.  “To be named one of the top 10% of community colleges in the country is a significant statement on the quality education, the dedicated faculty and staff, and the strong student support programs that we strive to provide for our community.”

Inclusion in the list of top 120 community colleges means that Ozarks Technical Community College is now eligible to compete for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a $700,000 award.  More information on the competition for this award can be found at www.AspenCCPrize.org.

The Aspen Institute’s mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, D.C.; Aspen, Colo.; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.