By January of 2023, Ozarks Technical Community College will increase the number of nursing and respiratory therapy students it can educate each year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory therapists were instrumental in saving lives as the medical practitioners who helped patients breathe. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the United States will need more…
The Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation received a six-figure donation from Rick’s Automotive for the Rick’s Automotive Student Lounge inside the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Founded by Rick and Karen Hughlett in 1980, Rick’s Automotive has 40 full-time employees who service more than 1,000 vehicles per month. “OTC has been a great…
In 2019, Ozarks Technical Community College Theatre Instructor Jon Herbert joined the ensemble cast of “The Milly Project,” a play about race relations in the United States centered around Milly Sawyers, an enslaved, African-American woman who sued for and won her freedom in Greene County in 1834. In the fall of 2021, the play was…
Ozarks Technical Community College students who earn an Associate of Science in Biology can transfer seamlessly into Logan University’s Bachelor of Science in Human Biology program thanks to a new articulation agreement between the institutions. The collaboration marks the first time OTC and Logan have partnered on an articulation agreement. Located in Chesterfield, Mo., Logan’s…
“I’ve lost count, but I think it’s safe to say I’ve had more than 70 surgeries during my life,” Hannah said. Born with VACTERL Association, congenital disabilities that affect multiple parts of the body, Hannah Baker faced many physical challenges as a child. The surgeries expanded her rib cage to help her breathe more easily…
To help meet the need for community healthcare workers in the state, Missouri managed care provider Healthy Blue will fund scholarships for 12 students to complete the Community Healthcare Worker course through Ozarks Technical Community College. Students who begin the class this semester are eligible for the scholarship. The Community Healthcare Worker course starts on…
To help students prepare for the upcoming spring semester, all Ozarks Technical Community College locations will be open Saturday, Jan. 8, 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 accounts services. OTC’s spring semester begins…
The Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation announced a six-figure gift from the Gene Haas Foundation for the precision machining lab inside the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The Gene Haas Foundation Precision Machining Lab will be located in the high-bay space of the PMC. “The Gene Haas Foundation is pleased to partner with…
OTC administrators and trustees honored the 2021 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. OTC 2021 Excellence in Education…
The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) honored OTC employees, alumni, donors and legislators at its 56th annual convention held in Branson Nov. 10-12. At the convention, MCCA acknowledged these donors, alumni and legislators for their commitment to OTC’s mission: Robert W. Plaster Foundation – Award of Distinction Elijah Haahr, former state representative – Distinguished Alumni…
It’s hard to categorize the movie “Voices from Vietnam.” Yes, it’s a film, but what type? Documentary? Short feature film? A recording of poetry read over music? “You’ve never seen a film like this,” said Larry Rottmann, the film’s narrator and a former OTC English instructor. “We’ve created a new genre.” Despite the challenge of…
For the first time in the history of the college, Ozarks Technical Community College will field a sports team. OTC will debut esports at the college in the spring of 2022 and will begin competing in the fall. Esports is competitive video gaming. “Our students have shown a desire to play video games against each…
The Center for Workforce Development at Ozarks Technical Community College will provide short-term courses this fall and winter to help potential employees gain in-demand skills to meet employer needs. Students pay nothing to attend the accelerated career training opportunities. Anyone may enroll in the classes as long as they are at least 18 years old. Students…
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2022-23 school year opens on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Here are six reasons to fill out the form ASAP. Some aid is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students who apply for the Access Missouri Grant program between Feb. 1 and Apr.…
Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools entered into an agreement to place a student success advisor at Hillcrest High School. The advisor will counsel and instruct Hillcrest students on their post-secondary options, including college, vocational training and military service. The Memorandum of Understanding between SPS and OTC was approved by the Springfield School…
The Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation announced a six-figure sponsorship for the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing from insurance provider American National. American National’s investment will fund the American National Business Incubation Center. “American National is proud of the commitment to higher education in the Ozarks, and this new center continues that legacy…
Heads up, Eagles. Now’s the time to apply for scholarships for the spring semester. The spring 2022 scholarship applications are open from now through Nov. 1 for all OTC students. But, before you get started, we have some need-to-know information and tips to help your application stand out from the rest. Choose a scholarship There…
The fall semester begins 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 and more. Sync your OTC email to your phone. It’s the easiest way for you…
The fall 2021 semester is finally here, and we’re kicking things off with our annual Eagle Days events! Between the free food, giveaways and special appearances by Ozzy the Eagle, we can’t think of a better way to start the school year. Check out the events happening at the Springfield campus, and make plans to…
Long-time Nixa teacher Emma Talbot died in 2020, but her impact on education extends beyond her life. Ms. Talbot bequeathed a seven-figure gift to the Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation. The donation is one of the most significant cash gifts the college has ever received from a single donor. Today, Thursday, Aug. 12, OTC named…
For a young person who spent their entire life in the Ozarks, the chance to leave home for college is enticing; but for many students, leaving their hometown isn’t as satisfying as they’d hoped. When she graduated from Parkview in 2015, Megan Dean followed the siren song of bright lights and the big city to…
To help students prepare for the upcoming fall semester, all Ozarks Technical Community College locations will be open Saturday, Aug. 14, 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 accounts services. OTC’s fall semester begins on Monday,…
SPRINGFIELD, MO — Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) will host a series of informational sessions at four local coffee shops throughout August and September. Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is a federally funded program that helps Greene County veterans attend college. VUB offers academic and career planning, financial aid and benefits advising, tutoring, admissions assistance and community…
Anyone who has watched a show like “The Great British Bake Off” or “Cake Boss” has probably thought to themselves, “Those cakes (or cookies or pastries) are works of art. They look too good to eat.” A baker who hopes to make creations worthy of a fancy bakery or pastry shop must have some artistic…
Ozarks Technical Community College named Dr. Aaron Light as the Dean of Health Sciences. Light will assume his new role on July 1. He replaces Dr. Sherry Taylor, who retired in March. Currently, Dr. Light is the Program Director for OTC’s Respiratory Therapy Program, a position he has held for six years, but he’s been…