Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in southwest Missouri has been named one of the top 200 community colleges in the United States eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The Aspen Institute announced the recognition, citing OTC’s performance in student outcomes such as retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s degree attainment rates. The Aspen Prize, established in 2010, recognizes two-year colleges with strong achievement and equitable access for students.
Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of OTC, noted the college’s inclusion on the list and credited faculty and staff for supporting student success and community development. OTC enrolls more than 15,000 students each year across six locations. The college offers technical, general education, and workforce development programs to prepare students for employment or transfer to four-year institutions.
The Aspen Prize selection process uses publicly available data and information from the National Student Clearinghouse. Over the next 20 months, eligible colleges will be evaluated further, including reviews of student success, labor market outcomes, and institutional practices that support equitable achievement. The winner of the 2027 Aspen Prize will be announced in spring 2027…