Latest news with #HalHigdon
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ozarks Tech gets permission to expand nursing program from 24 to 150 seats
Ozarks Technical Community College has secured permission to expand its nursing program to help meet the need in southwest Missouri. This month, the Missouri Board of Nursing signed off on Ozarks Tech increasing the number of available seats in its Associate of Science in Nursing−Direct Entry program from 24 to 150. A site visit to confirm the expansion is set for summer. Ozarks Tech increased its capacity as part of the Alliance for Healthcare Education, a collaborative effort between Ozarks Tech, CoxHealth, Missouri State University and Springfield Public Schools. 'We have been working intently toward the growth of this high-demand program, which will be greatly beneficial for future nursing students in our region,' said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon, in a news release. He added: "This expansion will pay dividends to the people of southwest Missouri as they seek medical care in the future.' The expansion of the ASN-D program will introduce five cohorts of 30 students each, allowing 150 students to enroll each year. This model, unique to the region, enables new students to begin every eight weeks, offering greater flexibility and reducing wait times for program entry. Two of the cohorts will be an evening and weekend hybrid option, two will be traditional seated courses during the day and one will be a daytime hybrid option. The hybrid option is a mix of in-person and online learning. More: Ozarks Tech plans tuition increase next year. Here's why, how much Students interested in the program can use a range of financial aid options including the A+ Scholarship Program and the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. 'This expansion is a game-changer for our community,' said Aaron Light, dean of health sciences at OTC. 'Bottom line is we are offering multitudes of ways to get into nursing, and this expansion makes Ozarks Tech a great choice when you are looking for options to train in this field.' Applications are now open for new students, with the first cohort of students set to begin classes in October. For more information or to apply, go to or contact Michelle Crum at crumm@ or Aaron Light at lighta@ This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Tech secures permission to expand nursing program
