Military Friendly®, an online information platform for military personnel returning to civilian life, has designated Ozarks Technical Community College Military Friendly for the 2023-2024 academic year. OTC is one of only three community colleges in Missouri to receive the designation and the only community college in the state in the “large community college” classification.
“I am delighted our veteran and military students can see this designation and know we are doing everything we can to make OTC a valuable educational experience!” says Sadie Newman, Director of the OTC Veterans and Military Services Office. “We average about 500 veterans and dependents using military or VA Education Benefits each semester. Our priority is serving these students to our greatest ability.”
In the fall of 2022, OTC received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand its Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program coverage from just one Missouri county to fifteen. The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is designed to assist veterans (and active duty military who are preparing to separate from the military) in all aspects of the college admissions process and their academic success. “The commitment OTC has made to veterans, even before they step foot onto a college campus can be vital to their success,” says Michelle Ciesielski of Veterans Upward Bound. “We are honored to work with veterans to identify a pathway toward achieving their goals no matter where they want to go.”
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, OTC is approved for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs programs and follows American Council on Education recommendations when granting credit for military experience.
The Military Friendly® distinction recognizes colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide delivering a quality higher-education experience both to active-duty military personnel and veterans. The 2023-2024 list of Military Friendly® schools has been published online at militaryfriendly.com.