As Chancellor Hal Higdon marks 20 years leading Ozarks Technical Community College, the school is asking residents across southwest Missouri to help shape its next chapter through a new strategic planning initiative called “Building Our Future Together.”
The effort comes as the college reflects on two decades of growth and regional impact, according to a community announcement. Higdon, described as the longest-serving community college president in Missouri history, said that community input will help guide the college’s future.
“Our success has always been rooted in our community,” Higdon said in the announcement. “The next chapter will be written together.”
Over the past 20 years, Ozarks Tech has expanded from a single campus into a six-location
system serving more than 15,000 students annually. The college now offers more than 90 academic and workforce training programs designed to prepare students for jobs and provide pathways to four-year degrees.
According to the announcement, the college maintained its growth through the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic while emphasizing fiscal responsibility and partnerships with employers and local communities.
Workforce and health care expansion
Ozarks Tech has invested heavily in manufacturing, technology and health care training, areas the college said in the announcement that are critical to meeting workforce needs across southwest Missouri.
The Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing, which opened in 2022, provides training in machining, mechatronics and 3D printing while also serving local employers.
In health care education, Ozarks Tech said in the announcement that it graduates more health science professionals than any other community college in Missouri. Students in those programs routinely earn strong results on licensure and certification exams, including the NCLEX, according to the announcement.
The college also helped establish the Alliance for Healthcare Education, a partnership involving Ozarks Tech, CoxHealth, Missouri State University and Springfield Public Schools. The alliance was created to strengthen the region’s pipeline of health care workers.
Additional initiatives include radiography and sonography programs, Missouri’s first community college bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy and two medical simulation labs used by students, law enforcement agencies and first responders.
Community input sought
College leaders said in the announcement that past community feedback helped shape major projects, including the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing, the Republic Education Center, the Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center at Springfield-Branson National Airport and expanded agriculture and lineworker training programs.
As part of “Building Our Future Together,” Ozarks Tech is asking students, alumni, employers and residents what the college should do next to strengthen the region.
Community members can provide feedback during open houses scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ozarks Tech locations in Lebanon on Aug. 4, Table Rock on Aug. 5, Republic on Aug. 11, Springfield on Aug. 19 and Richwood Valley on Aug. 26.
Faculty, staff and administrators also will host a booth at the Ozark Empire Fair from July 30 through Aug. 8.
Residents who cannot attend in person may participate through an online survey at tinyurl.com/rksvytav.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Tech turns to community as it plans its next chapter
