Ozarks Tech employees gathered at the Oasis Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 8, for College Development Day, to hear Chancellor Hal Higdon’s State of the College address and celebrate this year’s Excellence in Education award recipients.
The awards recognize employees who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to student success and were nominated by students and colleagues (a video highlighting each winner is below). Congratulations to the 2026 Excellence in Education award recipients:
- Full-time Faculty: Dr. Sara Hough, Respiratory Therapy Program Director
- Full-time Staff: Heather Paris, Coordinator of Counseling Services
- Part-time Staff: Fannie Santiago, Dental Program Instructor and Front Office Administrator
- Adjunct Instructor: Kevin Kloppenburg, Adjunct Drawing Instructor
- Administration: Calie Holden, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness
College Development Day also provided an opportunity to reflect on the college’s accomplishments and discuss how Ozarks Tech can best position itself for future opportunities and challenges.
During his address, Chancellor Higdon discussed the current economic climate, the critical role educators play in preparing students for an evolving workforce, and the importance of remaining responsive and agile in a rapidly changing world.
Employees also reflected on the college’s progress in advancing its strategic priorities since opening in 1990 and shared ideas for future growth and support for faculty and staff.
The event also marked the launch of the Ozarks Tech Foundation’s annual LEAGUE (Leaders Establishing Annual Gifts Underwriting Education) employee giving campaign. Last year, employees contributed more than $100,000 to scholarships and emergency assistance funds, helping remove barriers to student success.
