Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) is a

public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the ''Öffentlichkei ...

community college A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries: many community colleges have an "open enrollment" for students who have graduated from high school (also known as senior sec ...

Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estimat ...

. It was established by Springfield and thirteen surrounding public school districts on April 3, 1990. It has six locations in southern Missouri. Students can earn a one-year certificate, two-year Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.), Associate of Science (A.S) or Associate of Arts degree (A.A.). It is accredited by the

Higher Learning Commission The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditor in the United States. It has historically accredited post-secondary education institutions in the central United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa ...

and had a fall 2021 enrollment of 10,506 students.

History

Because of the creation of the Junior College District of Central Southwest Missouri, the college was founded with the name Heart of the Ozarks Community Technical College. Classes were initially held at Cox Medical Center North and in the newly named Graff Hall and Building A, which was formerly owned by Graff Area Vocational Technical Center. The next year, it began offering general education courses located in the North Town Mall. September 1990 the schools founding president was chosen to be Dr. Norman K. Meyers. In 1994, the schools name was shortened to Ozarks Technical Community College. In 2003, it became one of the first smoke-free campuses in the country.

Academics

OTC provides accredited certificates,

associate degree An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of qualification above a high school diploma, GED, or matriculation, and below a bachelor's degree. The fi ...

s, and other technical education programs. The school specializes in technical and vocational programs.

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 Springfield may refer to: * Springfield (toponym), the place name in general Places and locations Australia * Springfield, New South Wales (Central Coast) * Springfield, New South Wales (Snowy Monaro Regional Council) * Springfield, Queenslan ...

workforce.

Bachelor's Program

In April 2021, Missouri's Coordinating Board for Higher Education approved the schools plans to offer a four-year program in respiratory therapy.

Buildings

Ozarks Technical Community College Main Entrance

Seven main buildings make up the Springfield campus. Graff Hall, and what is now Lincoln Hall were the first buildings when the college began. Lincoln Hall is listed on the National Register of Historical Places as one of the first African-American schools in Springfield. The Norman K. Meyers building was constructed in 1997 The Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing is the newest building on the campus built in 2022. It was funded by a property tax levy and private donations. OTC Manufacturing Center

Locations

The college has six campuses located around the southern Missouri. The main campus is located in Springfield. * Springfield Campus * Richwood Valley Campus (opened in 2007) * Table Rock Campus (opened 2013) * Lebanon Center * Republic Center * Waynesville (opened 2009)

Notable alumni

Elijah Haahr Elijah J. L. Haahr (born May 28, 1982) is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, for the 134th district from 2013 to 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party. Early life and educat ...

, former member and speaker of the

Missouri House of Representatives The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 37,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections ...

References

External links

Official website
{{authority control Universities and colleges in Springfield, Missouri Educational institutions established in 1990 Community colleges in Missouri 1990 establishments in Missouri