Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical Community College
Established	April 3, 1990
Type	Community College
President	Hal H. Higdon
Location	Springfield, MO, USA
Colors	Blue and White
Mascot	Eagle
Website	www.otc.edu

Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) is a community college in Springfield, Missouri, established by Springfield and thirteen surrounding public school districts on April 3, 1990.^[1] Students can earn a one-year Certificate, two-year Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.), or an Associate of Arts degree (A.A.). In 1996, OTC received accreditation from the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In Spring 2007, OTC received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to deliver all of its degree programs online. The College has a fall 2011 enrollment of more than 15,000 students.

History

The Technical Education Center opened in the summer of 1997, the Information Commons in the summer of 1998, the Information Commons East wing in the summer of 1999, and the Industry and Transportation Technology Center opened in 2000. Renovation of Lincoln Hall was completed in 2001, with the Information Commons West wing to be complete in fall 2002. Grants and a contribution from John Q. Hammons also made beautification of the campus possible with the construction of a pedestrian mall between buildings and a waterfall along Chestnut Expressway. The Richwood Valley campus (south of the main campus in Springfield) will be open for classes starting January 2007. It will be the 6th location where classes are taught.

Academics

OTC offers an Associate of Arts degree as well an Associate of Arts in Teaching (to cover general education as well as the first two years worth of classes one would take at a four year university). In addition, OTC offers over twenty Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, including (the most popular, based on enrollment):

• Graphic Design Technology^[2]
• Early Childhood Development^[3]

Vocational Education

Beginning its life as Graff Vocational School, OTC continues to offer courses to High School students allowing them to earn college credit prior to graduation.

Center for Workforce Development

The Center for Workforce Development addresses the ever changing needs of the Springfield workforce. Included is the Transport Training Institute^[4] (which provides training for those seeking a commercial driver's license) and Community Enrichment classes.^[5]

OTC Foundation

The OTC Foundation was established in 1995 to help meet the growing needs of the College by identifying and mobilizing broad-based regional sources and resources. Recognizing the diverse educational objectives that comprise the OTC mission and its primary focus on job skill education and training, the Foundation strives to develop an expanding financial support network for the College and its students.

The OTC Foundation is the fund-raising arm of the college, raising private funds necessary to ensure we are able to offer students and the OTC community a college that's focused on their success.^[6]

Campus

Springfield (Main) Campus

Student organizations and groups

OTC offers a over twenty clubs covering wide range interests including:

• Baptist Student Union (BSU)
• B.E.S.T.
• Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
• Christian Campus House
• Computer Programmers and Users Society (CPU)
• Criminal Justice Society
• Dental Assisting (DAS)
• Dental Hygiene (DHY)
• El Club de Espanol (SPN)
• Equality
• Honors Society
• Hospitality/Culinary Student Association (HCSA)
• International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
• Jazz Club
• Society for Occupational Therapy Assistants (SOTA)
• OTC College Republicans
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Physical Therapy Association (PTA)
• PLANET
• Respiratory Therapy Association (RTA)
• Sensational Singers
• Society for the Awareness of the Natural Environment (SANE)
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
• Student-Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA)
• Student Nurse Association (SNA)
• Surgical Technology
• Veterans at OTC (VOTC)

Student Government Association (SGA)

SkillsUSA

Main article: SkillsUSA

OTC students (both secondary and post secondary) participate in the SkillsUSA competition every year. Students brought home six gold medals in 2009.^[7]

Athletics

OTC does not offer athletics in the traditional sense, however numerous intramural teams exist.

Notable alumni

Phil Robinson (Audio Engineer for Kenny Chesney) ^[8]

References

1. ^ http://www.otc.edu/about/about.php
2. ^ http://www.otc.edu/8328.php
3. ^ http://www.otc.edu/4274.php
4. ^ http://www.otc.edu/workforce/tti.php
5. ^ http://www.otc.edu/workforce/workforce.php
6. ^ [1]
7. ^ http://www.otc.edu/news/4581.php
8. ^ [2]

External links

• Official website