Oh That's Cool!

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of Oh That’s Cool , we talk numbers with Drew Courtway, CFO at Ozarks Tech, now referred to as "Master of Coin." From managing millions in institutional budgets to making smart everyday financial choices, Drew gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how money moves through a college. He also shares real, practical tips for personal finance that anyone can u...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Oh That’s Cool, we’re pawsitively excited to welcome Amethyst Ditieri, the Director of Student Success at Ozarks Technical Community College and a true cat-alyst for helping students find their path. Amethyst shares how she’s been purr-suing student success, guiding future OTC students through the admissions process and helping them land on their feet as they be...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Sherri Elder and Marilyn Madden from the Early Childhood Development Department at Ozarks Tech talk about Conscious Discipline and what it looks like in real classrooms when children are learning how to name, understand, and regulate big emotions. They break down why emotional regulation is not “extra,” it is foundational, and how teachers can intentionally build...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this episode, we sit down with Marcia Wheeler, our Director of Assessment and Accreditation and the force behind the New Faculty Institute, to pull back the curtain on what “assessment” and “accreditation” actually look like on a real college campus. Expect practical tips you can use right away, the most common myths that stress faculty out for no reason, and a few...

Send us Fan Mail  After a short hiatus, Oh, That’s Cool! is back! Jared and Andrew sit down with Nathan Cassidy, longtime OTC communications faculty member and advisor for The Eagle , OTC’s newly relaunched student-run newspaper. Nathan shares insights on teaching public speaking, navigating media’s rapid changes, and guiding students as they bring campus news to life. From stage fright to fake ne...

Send us Fan Mail  In this special episode of Oh That's Cool , we sit down with Dr. Tracy McGrady, Provost at Ozarks Technical Community College, for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation as she prepares to retire this May. Dr. McGrady reflects on her journey through higher education, shares stories from her time at OTC, and offers wisdom on leadership, learning, and what it means to serve a...

Send us Fan Mail  In this exciting episode of "Oh, That's Cool!" We welcome Meganne Rosen, a passionate faculty member from the Art, Design, and Humanities department at OTC. Meganne shares her insights into the world of art history and drawing, as well as her enthusiasm for upcoming trips and opportunities specifically designed for art students.  Get a sneak peek into experiences t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode of Oh, That’s Cool! —the podcast where we talk about all the amazing people, we work with at Ozarks Technical Community College. Today we’re diving into the excitement, community spirit, and fun of OTC’s Fall 2024 Picnic on the Springfield campus. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or just part of the OTC family, this event is always a highli...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Oh, That's Cool! , the podcast where we highlight the amazing people and initiatives shaping the OTC community. I'm your host, Jared Durden, and today we have a special episode featuring two incredible guests from our Counseling Services team. Joining us are Heather Lewellen, the Coordinator of Counseling Services, and Lea Gannaway, one of our dedicated mental...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Welcome back, everyone! 🎉 We’re excited to bring you a special episode today as we dive into something new and incredibly valuable. Joining us is none other than Dr. Erin Wehrman , an Associate Professor from MSU’s Department of Communication, Journalism, Media, and Film. You might remember Dr. Wehrman from our recent Faculty Days on August 14th, where she delivered an insight...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back, folks! Brace yourselves for an electrifying milestone as we celebrate our 50th episode of "Oh That's Cool"! Today, we embark on a bittersweet journey as we bid farewell to Dr. Joan Barrett, the esteemed Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs at our beloved community college. Join us as we delve into the vibrant tapestry of Dr. Barrett's tenure, explor...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back, listeners! Get ready for an enlightening journey in this episode as we sit down with Carol Jones Writing Center Director, Dr. David Ball. Join us as David shares the epic narrative of his life, tracing his roots from a humble small town in Arkansas to the corridors of OTC. Together, we delve into the fascinating realm of artificial intelligence, unraveling its challe...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this exciting episode we introduce adjunct Mathematics Instructor, Alysia Swearengin. Alysia shares her story as a former OTC student who is currently working on her master's at MSU.  We learn about her passion for teaching and the lessons she learned right here at OTC. Check out another thrilling episode as we walk discover, "Adjunct's need communit...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back, listeners! Get ready for an electrifying episode as we dive into the world of healthcare education. Join us as we introduce two remarkable individuals from the Associate of Science in Nursing program within the Health Sciences department: Lead Instructor Dani Brink and Lab Coordinator Sydney Park. Together, we explore their innovative idea for a podcast tailored to t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back, folks! Hold onto your seats because in this thrilling episode, we're shaking things up a bit. Our very own Education Development Coordinator, Erin Dooley, steps into the spotlight as our new host. Erin takes the reins and dives deep into the world of podcasting, interviewing none other than the renowned podcast hosts, Jared Durden and Andrew Crocker. Prepare to...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this exciting episode we introduce a new member of the OTC community, Student Engagment Coordinator, Micha White. We get to know more about Micha and the journey she took to OTC.  We learn about her hamster related shenannigans as a housing director for Drury university and discuss how the student engagement office is working toward building student identity.  Make...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this exciting episode we continue our series on Navigators and Student Success as we meet Navigator for Heatlh Sciences, Kat Westmoreland. We get to know more about Kat and the journey she took here to OTC.  We learn about her DIY hobbies and the Hiking Contest in her department. This is the third episode in our Student Success series where we seek to better unders...

Send us Fan Mail Its Picnic time!

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this back to school episode we meet Navigator for Arts, Science, and Bussiness, Bob Jahnke. We get to know more about Bob and the journey he took here to OTC.  Finally we answer the question, "What about Bob?". This is the second episode in our Student Success series where we seek to better understand the role of Navigators at the college. Make sure to re...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this back to school episode we meet Director of Student Success, Ginger Luke. We spill the Tea and learn about the creation, implementation, and direction of Student Success at OTC.  This is the first in our Student Success series where we seek to better understand the role of Navigators at the college. Make sure to reach out with your questions to me, at durdenj@o...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this special summer episode we meet RootEd regional director, Kari Hanks. Spoiler alert, Andrew knows her from childhood.  Kari informs us on her role in and the amazing work RootEd is doing in the state of Missouri. Join us as she takes us on a journey from pouring petri dishes to changing the lives of young Missourians. Check out another thrilling episode as we l...

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this episode we meet now Retired History Instructor, Dr. Jessica Gerard. Dr. Gerard discusses her time here at OTC and reflects on what she learned from teaching in America. She recounts her tenure including her leadership in the student trips to China. Check out another thrilling episode as we engage in "A brief history of travel."

Send us Fan Mail We are back! In this episode we meet Bio clinical Science instructor, John Fishback. John discusses the concept of specification grading. He explains that specification grading is a type of assessment where students are graded based on whether or not they meet specific criteria or specifications. Fishback notes that this type of grading allows students to focus on mastering specif...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of Oh That's Cool! Today, we are excited to feature Joseph McTaggart, a Lead Paramedicine Instructor who is deeply committed to preparing his students for the realities and demands of the field. With a wealth of experience and expertise in paramedicine, Joseph offers invaluable insights into this crucial profession. But that's not all. Joseph also...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of Oh That's Cool! In this installment, we have the pleasure of speaking with Kristy Conner, an esteemed Practical Nursing Instructor who is dedicated to inspiring and empowering her students. Kristy shares her wealth of knowledge on the nursing profession, drawing inspiration from the legendary Florence Nightingale and her own experiences in the field...