Ozarks Technical Community College hired Daniel Ogunyemi as the institution’s first college director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Ogunyemi began his duties at OTC today, Feb. 8. “More and more people from underrepresented groups are choosing OTC to further their education,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC chancellor. “It’s important to have someone who focuses on…
Many sights and sounds greet visitors to Ozarks Technical Community College’s Lincoln Hall. They might hear power saws humming in the construction lab, watch future nurses take blood pressure or listen to the whir of cleaning tools in the dental clinic. While that describes Lincoln Hall and its purpose today, the building has a rich…
Garrett Moeller packed his resume full of experiences during his time at OTC. Thanks to his involvement with student organization Politically Active, the up-and-coming marketing professional worked two local election campaigns, led numerous voter registration drives, hosted a community election forum and more. “I mean it when I say OTC – all the professional development…
When some of our favorite shows and movies include “Stranger Things,” “You,” Twilight,” and “Love Actually,” behaviors like showing up at someone’s home or watching them from afar are often portrayed as romantic gestures. But in real life, would we consider these behaviors stalking? During Stalking Awareness month, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on how we can better support our…
February 1 marks an important financial aid deadline for Missouri college students. That’s the absolute latest you should file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2021-2022 school year – especially if you want to be considered for any state funding. You’ll need the following information before you get started: Your FSA ID (a parent may…
Congratulations to our Fall 2020 Chancellor’s List, Provost’s List and Dean’s List recipients! Students who complete 12 or more credit hours in a fall or spring semester are eligible for the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List. Recognition is based on the grade point average during that semester. The Dean’s List requires a GPA of 3.5…
The new semester begins Jan. 19, and we’ve compiled our favorite OTC hacks to make your life a little easier in the coming weeks. Keep reading to learn how you can sign up for emergency text alerts, connect with student support services, report COVID-19 concerns and more. 1. Sync your OTC email to your phone.…
Dr. Dustin Childress has been named president for education centers at Ozarks Technical Community College. In this role, Dr. Childress oversees the operations of the college’s Lebanon, Republic, Waynesville and Fort Leonard Wood locations. He began his new duties on Jan. 7, 2021. “Dr. Childress has been a driving force at our Lebanon Center, and…
In an effort to help students prepare for the upcoming spring semester, all OTC locations will be open Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Student services staff will be available at each campus and center to assist students with last-minute admissions, enrollment, advising, financial aid and student account services. Current and prospective students can…
Around OTC, few people know Justin Frese beyond his role as a construction technology instructor. Outside of the classroom, however, Justin has a mission: making climbing accessible in Southwest Missouri. An article in “Climbing” magazine names Justin Frese as one of, “the area’s most active developers, pushing the envelope every climbable day, year-round.” “The rock…
Initially, Kila Butts resisted the idea of going back to school. She would have to quit her job, survive off her husband’s income and find a way to pay tuition. But, after eight years in the telecommunications business, she decided it was time. Kila pushed her doubts aside and enrolled at OTC. “I couldn’t let…
Whitney La had never heard of respiratory therapists prior to her son’s seven-month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. But now that her son, Max, is a healthy and thriving toddler, she’s working toward a degree in the field. A business entrepreneur and mother of three, Whitney grew close…
Ozarks Technical Community College will host virtual FAFSA Q&A sessions for current and prospective students in December. The sessions, held via Zoom, will give students and their families the opportunity to receive FAFSA filing assistance from an experienced financial aid advisor. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form completed by…
The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) honored OTC employees at its 55th annual convention, held Nov. 11-13. The convention was virtual this year due to COVID-19. At the convention, the following individuals were recognized for their outstanding service to OTC: Administrative Professional Leadership and Senior Service Award: Marla Moody, Vice Chancellor for Finance *Ms. Moody…
OTC administrators and trustees honored the 2020 Excellence in Education award recipients at the college’s monthly board meeting in November. Candidates were nominated by staff members and selected by a college-wide committee. Each winner was presented with a plaque and monetary award, made possible by a donation from the Turner Family Foundation. “Since 1992, OTC has recognized…
Ozarks Technical Community College and Burrell Behavioral Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide mental health services, free of charge, to OTC students and employees. Burrell will provide the following services: A part-time mental health counselor for students at the OTC Springfield Campus. A part-time mental health counselor for students at the OTC…
The largest capital investment in the history of Ozarks Technical Community College will bear the name of the late businessman and philanthropist Robert W. Plaster. The announcement came at the groundbreaking for the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing (PMC) today, Nov. 12 at the OTC Springfield Campus. The stated goals of the Robert…
Ozarks Technical Community College announced Robert Border as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Veteran Award during the college’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, held Wednesday, Nov. 11. OTC’s Outstanding Student Veteran Award is presented annually to a student in good academic standing with an honorable service record. The student’s personal conduct, contributions and successes…
In a rare move offered by few institutions of higher learning, Ozarks Technical Community College created a nursing pathway exclusively for paramedics. Pending the completion of an eight-week introduction to nursing course, paramedics can gain admission into the college’s hybrid Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse program. The Missouri State Board of Nursing approved the…
While the start of the spring semester might seem far away, registration begins November 11! The OTC Academic Advising Team sees a lot of students make the same planning and registration mistakes semester after semester. To help, we’ve created a list of things you can do to ensure a smooth registration process. Plan your courses…
Amid humming machinery and whirring computer systems, OTC student Abigail Dotson has found her happy place. One of just three women in the college’s Industrial Systems Technology Program, Abbey hopes to become a mechanical engineer someday. “Taking stuff apart, fixing it and putting it back together – it’s just always something that I’ve enjoyed doing,”…
Nurses and physicians figure prominently in coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there’s another vital group of health care professionals who don’t always get the same recognition: respiratory therapists. OTC graduate Jeff Atkinson is a prime example, having treated hundreds of COVID-19 patients at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Jeff is one of more than…
The term “service learning” may conjure images of earnest college students helping build a Habitat for Humanity home or donating time to paint a school. But, those types of activities are more likely volunteering — heavy on the “service” portion and light on “learning.” Service learning gives students experiences that enhance their overall understanding of…
Tucked away in quiet workspaces or offices, linked only by technology and their shared mission, OTC’s COVID-19 case managers have been hard at work for months. Responsible for helping students navigate coronavirus-related issues, these employees spend their days communicating by email or phone as they sift through student reports, questions and concerns. “We don’t just…
OTC serves as the economic engine of southwest Missouri, and one alumna has a promising future in the driver’s seat. Peyton Andrews is entering her fourth year working for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, where she and her team work to promote the region’s economic health, stimulate job growth, and improve the quality of life in…