OTC research assistant awarded scholarship from Association for Institutional Research

Ozarks Technical Community College Research Assistant Matthew Simpson has received a Presidential Scholarship from the Association for Institutional Research. Simpson, who was nominated by OTC Chancellor Dr. Hal Higdon, used the $600 scholarship toward classes through the association’s Data and Decisions Academy, a program designed specifically for community college institutional research professionals.

“Matthew has made a significant contribution to the Office of Research and Strategic Planning, and meets every project with enthusiasm, dedication, and innovative ideas,” said Dr. Higdon. “OTC can only benefit from the additional knowledge and skills he has gained from these courses.”

Simpson, who has worked in institutional research at OTC since 2011, holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and a master’s from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. He is a resident of Springfield.

The Association for Institutional Research is the world’s largest professional association for institutional researchers, with more than 4,000 members worldwide. Headquartered in Tallahassee, Fla., the organization provides its members with educational resources, best practices and professional development opportunities. Its primary purpose is to support members in the process of collecting and analyzing institutional data, and using that data to support decision making in higher education.