Many students come to college looking for more than a transactional exchange of coursework for credit hours. For students who want more engagement in and out of the classroom, Ozarks Technical Community College offers an Honors Program.
The Honors Program promotes critical thinking using analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and problem solving. Rigorous course work is emphasized, along with personal growth through a love for learning. Team building and cooperation are also common goals as students work together to manage volunteer opportunities on and off-campus. The Honors Program dedicates time and resources to local non-profits, such as, the Red Cross, the Humane Society, Harmony House, Community Blood Center, and Habitat for Humanity.
Honors Program student Peyton Long said being in class with fellow high achievers makes him work harder, “It’s nice to have people around you every day who can push you to do your best.”
Students interested in The Honors Program must have a 3.5 Grade Point Average in college, or a 3.75 GPA if they are coming to OTC straight out of high school. Additionally, a student must have scored a minimum of 25 on the ACT, or a 77.5 on the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test).
Once admitted, students in The Honors Program must maintain a 3.5 GPA and successfully complete a minimum of five honors courses during their time at OTC. One course requires a student to volunteer for 30 hours at a non-profit, paired with a self-reflection paper designed to foster academic achievement and personal growth. Furthermore, students must complete seven hours of on-campus volunteering. This is often achieved by volunteering at Honors Program events, such as, bake sales and blood drives.
Students in the Honors Program who complete all of the requirement receive a final transcript marked with an Honors distinction. The OTC honors designation is recognized at several four-year colleges, some of which will automatically award an Honors scholarship to transferring students. OTC Honors Program alumni have gone on to attend several prestigious college and universities, including: The University of Missouri-Columbia, The University of Kansas Medical Center and Yale.
Students interested in joining the OTC Honors Program should email the head of recruitment, John Cook, at cookjo@otc.edu. He will send prospective Honors candidates the application and admittance requirements, then set up an interview with the student to discuss their future plans and goals within the Honors Program.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
