Ozarks Tech open houses part of strategic plan development

Ozarks Technical Community College is asking the public for help developing its next strategic plan.

To gather feedback for the blueprint titled Building Our Future Together, the college will host a series of in-person events for students, alumni, employers and community members.

At a series of events, Ozarks Tech officials will be asking this question: “What should Ozarks Tech do next to best support and strengthen the region?”

College faculty, staff and leaders will host a booth at the Ozark Empire Fair from July 30 through Aug. 8.

There will also be open houses at five campuses that include tours. They will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the following days:

● Aug. 4 – Lebanon Education Center, 22360 Highway MM in Lebanon

● Aug. 5 – Table Rock Campus, 10698 Historic Highway 165 in Hollister

● Aug. 11 – Republic Education Center, 584 U.S. 60 in Republic

● Aug. 19 – Springfield main campus, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway in Springfield

● Aug. 26 – Richwood Valley Campus, 3369 W. Jackson St. in Nixa

The process is happening as Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Tech, marks 20 years in the leadership role. The college noted he is the longest serving community college president in Missouri history.

In the past two decades, Ozarks Tech grew from a single campus to six locations that serve more than 15,000 students annually.

“Our success has always been rooted in our community,” Higdon said in a news release. “The next chapter will be written together.”

In a retreat with the Board of Trustees this summer, Higdon said strategic plans have helped shape growth.

College officials said community feedback drove major initiatives such as the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Republic Education Center, the Roy Blunt Aviation Training Center at Springfield-Branson National Airport, training facilities at the Richwood Valley and Table Rock campuses, and the expansion of agriculture and lineworker training programs.