Latest news with #OzarksTechnicalCommunityCollege
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Carl Junction's Kristy Jones named rootEd Missouri Advisor of the Year
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Carl Junction High School's Kristy Jones was recently named the rootEd Missouri Advisor of the Year for her support of rural Missouri students as they prepare for life after graduation. The announcement was made at the 2025 rootEd Missouri Conference Awards and Celebration Lunch held Aug. 5 in Columbia. Serving more than 45,000 students across the state since launching in 2018, rootEd Missouri is a statewide public-private partnership between national nonprofit rootEd Alliance, Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Ozarks Technical Community College, and participating school districts. The effort is designed to help rural students develop a path to achieve career success and economic stability. College and career advisers work with seniors in rural high schools to ensure they graduate on a path to a well-paying job, whether through college, career training, apprenticeships or military service. According to an announcement by the Carl Junction School District, Jones supports more than 200 seniors each year. Jones was recognized for her collaborative advising approach and outstanding outcomes at Carl Junction High School, including: • 99% of all students created a postsecondary plan and financial plan. • 95% of all students participated in a career exposure activity. • 98% of college students committed to a postsecondary institution. • 89% of career training students got accepted into a training program. • Every student who submitted a job application received a job offer. • 100% of military students completed their ASVAB, met with a military recruiter and officially enlisted. 'Students start to believe in what's possible when they know someone is in their corner,' Jones said in a statement. 'I'm honored to be part of rootEd and proud to support Missouri's rural students.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
To address teacher shortage, Drury and Ozarks Tech streamline transfer process
In an effort to help curb the teacher shortage in Missouri, Drury University and Ozarks Technical Community College have updated their longstanding transfer agreement. Students from Ozarks Tech who complete an associate degree in teacher education will be able to start as a junior at Drury. Those students will be eligible to Drury's teacher certification program once they've completed 12 or more credit hours at the university with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher. 'Missouri students need well-trained educators and we are partnering to make this avenue to certification as smooth as possible,' said Natalie Precise, dean of Drury's School of Education, in a news release. 'Our partnership with Ozarks Tech has always allowed our shared students an opportunity to complete their teacher certification in a flexible and personalized way." Precise said the partnership allows for a "smoother transfer" from Ozark Tech's Teacher Education program to Drury's School of Education & Child Development.' Students who enroll in Drury's day school program can major in elementary education; middle school language arts, math, science or social studies; or secondary education. They can also minor in special education. 'This renewed partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Missouri's teacher workforce,' Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Tech, in a release. 'By beginning their academic journey at Ozarks Tech and continuing at Drury, students have access to an affordable, high-quality pathway that leads directly into the classroom and into careers that truly matter.' More: Ozarks Tech, Drury create path to help students access engineering, cybersecurity careers Both institutions are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and recognize credits earned from other regionally accredited colleges and universities. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury and Ozarks Tech streamline transfer process for future teachers
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ozarks Tech unveils new Roy Blunt Aviation Center
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozarks Technical Community College revealed a new training center designed to teach students how to repair commercial and private aircraft. The Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center features classrooms and hands-on learning opportunities for students, including the planes that students will work. Hal Higdon, Chancellor at Ozarks Tech, says this has been a collaboration between multiple organizations and a years-long journey that started when the Ozarks Tech Aviation program took off. 'As that [the aviation program] grew, the airport really talked to us about the need for these mechanics because of the large amount of need in this area,' Higdon said. 'So we began planning several years ago and the federal government, through Senator Blunt, was able to put in money our Greene County put in money, the city of Springfield and the state of Missouri.' Dickerson Park Zoo says goodbye to beloved monkey Morgan The new program fulfills an agreement Ozarks Tech has with American Airlines. The graduates of this program will fill the need in the workforce that was created when American opened its maintenance base in Springfield in 2021. Following the two-year program, students will receive an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certification and an associate's degree through Ozarks Tech. 'When they graduate, they're eligible to go to work on anything that we have here in southwest Missouri. We have a large American Airlines facility here that will be hiring, plus private aviation,' Higdon said. 'So there is no lack of jobs ready for these young men and women when they leave this program.' 'We all deserve some money back': Liberty Utilities hears from upset customers at Town Hall meeting There are 24 spots available for the Fall of 2025. Higdon says they will add another 24 to the program each year. 'This program is important because it takes a pilot to fly a plane. But you can't fly a plane if it's not airworthy,' Higdon said. 'And these young men and women will be making sure the plane is safe and ready to fly before the pilot gets in and then all the passengers.' Applications for Fall 2025 are now open. You can find more information to apply here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ozarks Tech approves 3% pay increase for employees to stay competitive
The governing body of Ozarks Technical Community College approved a 3% pay increase for all full-time, part-time and adjunct instructors. The May 14 vote by the Board of Trustees will apply to anyone employed in their respective positions on or before March 31 of this year. "It's really heartening to be able to do this in light of some other institutions that are not giving raises this year or are very, very small," Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the meeting. "We've really tried to stay competitive in our local market." Higdon said Ozarks Tech must compete against Springfield Public Schools and Missouri State University, especially to fill staff positions. "This will allow us to either keep up with one or pass the other," he said. The Springfield-based institution streamlined its salary schedule this year and set aside funds to make targeted market adjustment for key positions, Higdon said. More: Ozarks Tech taps graduate, health sciences dean as its next provost According to the college, salary increases for individuals in externally funded positions — including roles paid for with grants — will be contingent on available funding and approval by the funding entity. The pay increase starts July 1. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Tech increasing pay for employees to stay competitive
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ozarks Tech receives major donation for 'The U'
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Springfield college recently received a major donation in support of a new student union. The Ozarks Technical Community College's Springfield location recently received a donation from David and Stacey O'Reilly in support of the 'Dream Big. Dream Together' campaign. The campaign is in support of raising money for the new Michael L. Parson Student Union, also known as 'The U.' The donation from the O'Reilly's will help construct a outdoor space for students, employees and the community to gather. Springfield man arrested for burglary after breaking into home The student union will offer an area for student activity, dining, studying and for support from the college. 'We are incredibly grateful to David and Stacey O'Reilly for their leadership and support of this transformative project,' Dr. Hal Higdon, OTC Chancellor, said in a press release. 'Their gift helps us create a campus environment where students feel welcomed, supported and inspired to achieve their goals.' The outdoor space of the student union is set to be named the 'David and Stacey O'Reilly | O'Reilly Auto Parts Plaza.' The student union is expected to be open in the summer of 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
