Ozarks Technical Community College will receive an additional $231,730 in SkillUP Missouri funds to provide free job training and employment opportunities to individuals who receive Food Stamp benefits. SkillUP Missouri is a program piloted by the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division and University of Missouri Extension.…
Standing at 6-feet-5-inches tall, retired U.S. Navy veteran Jason Wilson towers above the preschoolers in his Early Childhood practicum class. But the kids don’t find Jason intimidating. In fact, they think he’s much more fun to climb than their outdoor playground equipment. “They always run to me when they see I’m in the classroom,” Jason…
Ozarks Technical Community College will host a series of public listening sessions in July and August to seek the community’s input as it develops and revises the college’s strategic plan to reflect education and training needs of southwest Missouri. Community members are encouraged to attend to learn more about OTC and provide feedback on key…
With only a few weeks of classes left this semester, final exams are looming closer than ever. Make sure you’re prepared with the following study tips from our friends at the Speckman Tutoring & Learning Center. 10. Start early – Cramming is counter-productive. Give your brain the time it needs to learn the material. To avoid…
OTC’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) will host an open house for its new Allied Health classroom and laboratory on Friday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will begin at the OTC Springfield Campus in Lincoln Hall, room 211. Prospective students, community partners and the general public are invited to attend. The…
Three students from Ozarks Technical Community College earned national medals at the SkillsUSA Championships, held June 19-23 in Louisville, Ky. Approximately 6,000 career and technical education students competed in 100 different trade, technical and leadership fields at the event. The championships took place as part of the SkillsUSA 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.…
Ozarks Technical Community College’s respiratory therapy program received the Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from CoARC, the Committee of Accreditation for Respiratory Care. OTC respiratory therapy staff accepted the award during the American Association for Respiratory Care Summer Forum, held June 25 in Tucson, Ariz. Eighty-seven programs received the award this year. OTC’s respiratory therapy program is…
Josh Pennekamp was a business student who knew nothing about welding before he came to OTC this year. However, after completing the college’s 20-week Industrial Welding Technology program, Josh is a business major with a twist. He says welding will be incorporated into his dreams of becoming a manufacturer. “I love welding. It’s a great…
One might think a career in Early Childhood Development would be a complete departure from a career in the U.S. military, but OTC student William Nelson insists that both of his careers share important themes. “The Army is all about building confidence, strength and leadership ─ so is Early Childhood Education,” he said. William is…
Students who complete 12 or more credit hours are eligible for the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List. Recognition is based on the grade point average attained during the 12-credit-hour increment. The Dean’s List requires a GPA of 3.50 to 3.84, and the Chancellor’s List requires a GPA of 3.85 or higher. Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List recipients can expect a…
There may not be another OTC alumnus who has lived the “Start Here, Go Anywhere” motto like Wendell Bandy. In fact, OTC President Emeritus Dr. Norman K. Myers says Wendell took that motto a step further. “Wendell has started here and gone everywhere,” Dr. Myers said during a recent reunion between Myers and Bandy at OTC.…
Two years, three cars and 33,000 miles on the road ─ that’s what it took for Ehlaina Hudson to earn her drafting and design degree from OTC. Yet, despite all the costs associated with her daily commute, Ehlaina insists that OTC was still more affordable than the local college options in her home state of…
The term “triple threat” is typically associated with a football player who can run, pass and kick, or a performer who can sing, act and dance. But those who know OTC graduate Sami Johnson would say she’s a triple threat in her own right. The 23-year-old has earned not one, not two, but three healthcare…
The deadline to apply for fall 2017 scholarships at OTC is Thursday, June 1. On average, 640 students receive more than $800,000 in scholarship money each year. Sounds pretty good, right? Keep reading for more scholarship details. If you’re ready to apply, click HERE. There are two types of scholarships available: OTC Institutional scholarships and…
Andrew Hedgpeth, vice president of human resources at CoxHealth, received OTC’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award at the college’s 2017 commencement, held May 18 at JQH Arena. “Andrew’s professional accomplishments serve as a testament to the college’s mission,” said OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon. “When we, as a community, invest in our students through educational…
More than 700 Ozarks Technical Community College graduates walked in the 2017 commencement held Thursday, May 18 at JQH Arena on the Missouri State University campus. OTC conferred 3,097 degrees and certificates to graduates this year, which includes students who have completed, or are pending completion of, their course work from the summer 2016 semester…
Ozarks Technical Community College Honors Program graduates who transfer to Missouri State University will automatically be eligible for admission into MSU’s honors programs thanks to an articulation agreement signed today, May 16 at the Meyer Alumni Center. “The OTC Honors Program provides high-achieving students with a challenging curriculum in an atmosphere of scholarship,” said Todd Yerby, OTC Honors…
Hundreds of OTC graduates will march into JQH Arena this week to the cheers and best wishes of family and friends. Among those receiving degrees will be Angela Ellis and Sean Maenner. But they won’t have to listen too intently to hear well wishes from a family member or to find a nearby relative. This…
Soon-to-be graduates, the moment you’ve waited for is practically here. Our 2017 graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at JQH Arena on the Missouri State University Campus. And whether you’re celebrating your own graduation this year, or that of a fellow student, friend or family member, share your excitement on social media…
Meet Seth King, OTC academic advisor. Seth helps ensure you are signed up for the classes you need to earn your degree at OTC. Seth will be serving up your favorite drinks at OTC’s Starbucks on Monday, May 8 from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Make sure you stop by, take a photo with Seth, and post it on Instagram or…
The American Sign Language department recently hosted its inaugural American Sign Language Showcase on April 27 at the OTC Springfield Campus. The event, which will be held every fall and spring semester, highlights the skills of American Sign Language students in ASL II, III and IV classes. “The showcase provided our students with the opportunity to…
The Gillioz Theatre has hosted many great events in its nearly 100-year history, including its service as home to the OTC Fine Arts program for the last decade. Next semester, however, the program will move to the OTC Springfield Campus. The Gillioz, with its architectural ambiance rich with visual textures, colors, and shapes, has provided OTC…
Meet Vicki MacDonald, OTC’s assistant college director of admissions. Vicki’s job involves helping students through the admissions process and making sure they have fun once they’re here! Vicki will be serving up your favorite drinks at OTC’s Starbucks on Thursday, May 4 from 10-11 a.m. Make sure you stop by, take a photo with Vicki, and…
The future looks bright for OTC students like Jessi Thomason and Ricki Hackworth who will begin their careers as respiratory therapists this month. The duo recently earned statewide recognition at the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care conference, held April 19-21 in Osage Beach, Mo. Jessi, a Mountain View native, was one of four students selected…
Meet Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College. In addition to keeping all of OTC’s campuses and centers running smoothly, Dr. Higdon will be serving up your favorite Starbucks drinks on Monday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to noon. In other words, Monday is a great day to stop by OTC’s Starbucks, visit…