OTC One of Fastest Growing Community Colleges in Nation

Ozarks Technical Community College is one of the fastest growing community colleges in the country. KSMU’s Gina Widger reports.

According to a report released this week by Community College Week Magazine, OTC is ranked 33rd in the nation for growth rates among community colleges with enrollments of 10,000 or more students.

Dr. Hal Higdon is the president of OTC. He says enrollment increases are nothing new for the college.

In 2008, OTC enrolled almost 1,000 more students than the year before. This fall enrollment increased by almost 2,000 from last year.

These figures include all of OTC’s campuses. With all the new students, the facilities are becoming crowded. Higdon says that there are shortages in parking and classrooms and more faculty have been hired. Plans for new buildings have been put on hold until the economy turns around and state funding is back on track.

For KSMU News, I'm Gina Widger.