Ozark Technical Community College is a public two-year college located in Springfield, Missouri with satellite campuses in Hollister, Nixa, Lebanon, and Waynesville. It was founded in 1990 under the name Heart of the Ozarks Community College and offers certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees across over 100 programs. While focusing on technical programs, it also provides general, business, and health programs. The college has experienced rapid enrollment growth since its founding and now graduates over 35,000 students to serve the educational and workforce needs of its community.

1. The Brief History of…
Nathanael A. DeGraftenreed
Student
December 3, 2023

2. What is Ozark Technical Community College
Ozarks Technical Community College is a public,
2-year institution located primarily in Springfield,
Missouri. The college also maintains satellite
campuses throughout Missouri in Hollister, Nixa,
Lebanon, and Waynesville. While OTC’s academic
focus is primarily on technical programs, the
college offers a variety of general, business, and
health programs as well. Students attending OTC
can enroll in the Trade Adjustment Assistance
Community College and Career Training program
for reduced tuition.

3. Origins
● OTC was founded in Springfield
Missouri
● The School was founded on April 3,
1990
● In July 1990, the board of trustees
formerly named OTC, “Heart of the
Ozarks Community College”
● In September 1991, Doctor Norman
K. Myers was named the founding
president

4. Motto “You Have a Dream
We Have a Plan”

5. Classes
Before the OTC campuses were built,
classes originally took place in the Cox
Medical Center North, in Sept. 1991.
Due to the success shown from the
erection of this college, OTC rented
14,000 square feet from the Noth Town
Mall for additional space

6. First Graduation
● The first graduation ceremony
held for OTC graduates was
held at Kickapoo High School,
in 1992
● The graduates consisted of 54
college graduates and 41 GED
recipients

7. Enrollment
● Enrollment grew at the
annual rate of 11.4
percent between 1991
and 2014.
● Due to the rapid growing
success two new centers
were built, a center in
lebanon and one in
springfield

8. Academics
Ozark Technical community college offers…
● Accredited Certificate
● 100+ Programs
● Associates Degrees
● Bachelors Degrees

9. Current OTC Satellite Campuses
Nixa
Lebanon
Waynesville
Hollister

10. Conclusion
Ozark Technical Community College is a college meant to serve and benefit it’s
community by making it easier for those who are wanting to further their
education, after high school, the ability and resources to do so at a cheaper and
more convenient cost. Although the school was founded a little more than 3
decades ago, it has been able to successfully graduate over 35 thousand
people, at an affordable cost, and continues to grow it’s enrollment, campuses,
and availability ever year.