Counseling Services
The Counseling Services staff seeks to support and strengthen members of the OTC community by providing the following individualized and confidential services:
- Individual and group mental health counseling
- Referrals to community resources
- Educational programs both on and off campus
- Crisis intervention services
- Campus-wide outreach events
- Online self-help resources
The counseling staff has extensive experience working with a variety of personal issues faced by OTC’s diverse student population and all of the department’s individualized counseling services are free and confidential. For more information about these services or to schedule an appointment, contact the Counseling Services office at (417) 447-6974, visit us on the web at students.otc.edu/counselingservices/ or email us at counseling@otc.edu.
OTC Cares and the Behavioral Intervention Team
OTC Cares is a set of resources that has been established to protect the health and safety of the OTC community. Maintaining a safe environment allows students to focus on their education and get the most out of their time at the college.
OTC’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) coordinates OTC Cares to address the needs of students who are experiencing behavioral disturbances. All members of our campus community are asked to report student behaviors of concern using OTC’s online Student Concern/Incident Report so that the BIT can effectively and proactively reach out to students in distress. This online incident report form along with detailed information concerning recognizing, responding, referring and reporting students in distress can be accessed at students.otc.edu/bit/otc-cares. A member of the BIT can also be reached via phone (417) 447-6697 or via email at otccares@otc.edu.
Breaking Traditions
The State of Missouri’s Breaking Traditions program is operated under the umbrella of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Guidance and Counseling Department and is overseen by a regional College and Career Consultant (CCC). This program works closely with students who are considering or pursuing careers that are non-traditional for their gender or are in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) pathway. Students can receive assistance and information in the areas of career awareness, exploration, and the planning of Programs of Study.
The OTC Breaking Traditions program offers additional support for both secondary and post-secondary students including specialized workshops and financial assistance to students who are enrolled in one of OTC’s career/technical programs. This program provides financial assistance through a supplementary grant to students who are enrolled as non-traditional by gender, displaced homemakers, and/or single parents. The College and Career Consultant/Breaking Traditions office is located in Information Commons East (ICE) Suite 116J and can be reached at (417) 447-6970.
Career Employment Services
Career Employment Services is a resource for all students and graduates as well as for the campus and business community. Experienced staff members provide direct assistance and professional advice on:
- Assessing and exploring career choices and college majors
- Conducting employment and internship searches
- Creating effective résumés and cover letters
- Strengthening interview skills
- Managing careers after graduation
Individual appointments and web-based self-directed technologies are in place to help students explore careers, build professional résumés, and practice and improve their interview skills. Current job openings and internship opportunities can be accessed through College Central Network at collegecentral.com/otc. Business and industry contacts are developed to maintain up-to-date employment listings. Career assessment and exploration can be accessed through FOCUS 2 at www.otc.edu/careerservices/18322.php. Interest, skills, personality, values and leisure assessments are aligned with academic and occupational options to give students the necessary tools to make effective career choice and college major decisions.
The Career Employment Services office, along with a computer resource room, is located in Student Services on the second floor of the Information Commons West. For more information on these and other resources, visit us on the web at otc.edu/careerservices, call (417) 447-6964 or e-mail careeremp@otc.edu.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
The offices of Disability Support Services, located near the northeast entrance to the Information Commons East on the OTC Springfield Campus (ICE 127) and in Room 206 on the OTC Richwood Valley Campus, provide academic support, accommodation and advocacy for OTC students with disabilities. Current documentation of the disability is required to register for disability support services. Students who are interested in receiving services are encouraged to request a meeting with the DSS office six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. Requesting services early is helpful in determining reasonable accommodations, but requests for support will be reviewed at any point during the semester.
Disability Resource Counselors, Vocational Resource Educators and other DSS staff work directly with students with disabilities to ensure equal access to college programs and services, and with instructors to arrange accommodations, as necessary, for students with disabilities. For further information regarding services on the Springfield and Table Rock campuses as well as the Lebanon and Waynesville centers, please contact Disability Support Services on the OTC Springfield Campus at (417) 447-8189 or online at otc.edu/disabilitysupport. For information regarding services at the Richwood Valley campus, contact (417) 447-7447.
Testing Services
Testing Services provides accommodations for proctored online exams, placement exams, exit exams, High School Equivalency testing, and select certification exams. For further information visit the Testing Services webpage at otc.edu/testing, or contact the office at testingservices@otc.edu.
Speckman Tutoring and Learning Center and Academic Support Center
The Speckman Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) on the Springfield campus and the Academic Support Center (ASC) on the Richwood Valley campus strive to empower students to achieve success. The TLC and ASC do this by offering extensive tutoring services and courses.
The tutoring services are provided on a walk-in basis and require no appointment. The TLC and ASC have tutoring available for math, science and computers, as well as many other subjects. Study skills tutors are also provided to help with any subject. The centers also provide computer support to students needing assistance using MyOTC, AccessOTC, Blackboard and ALEKS. For exact subjects tutored, schedules and services available in Lebanon, Waynesville and Hollister, visit otc.edu/tutoring.
The TLC also provides courses to improve academic skills necessary for success in college and the workforce. Specialists in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and college success work with students in both self-paced and seated courses. For more information on courses available, visit the TLC, CAC, RDG 040 and RDG 100 course listings in this catalog.
The TLC is located in Information Commons East (ICE) 212. The ASC is located in Life Science Center (LSC) 206 on the Richwood Valley campus. For additional information, contact the Speckman Tutoring & Learning Center at (417) 447-8164, the OTC Richwood Valley Campus Academic Support Center at (417) 447-7762, or visit otc.edu/tutoring.
Libraries
OTC’s libraries are responsible for ensuring students have the academic resources they need to succeed. The collections include print, audio visual and electronic materials, as well as the book collections of over 70 academic and public libraries available through the MOBIUS Consortium.
Friendly, professional library staff provides personalized services, including one-on-one reference and research assistance, customized information literacy tours, interactive online class orientations, and the creation of and access to specialized course reserves. The libraries have private study carrels with wireless access, group study rooms and media viewing stations. Internet printing, photocopies, scanning and fax are available.
The OTC Springfield Campus Library is located on the first floor of the Information Commons in IC 100. The OTC Richwood Valley Campus Library is located on the second floor of the Life Science and Technology Center in LSC 203, adjacent to the Atrium. Electronic library services and reference assistance are also available on the first floor of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at the OTC Table Rock Campus. For further information contact the OTC Springfield Campus Library at (417) 4478185 or the OTC Richwood Valley Campus Library at (417) 447-7750 or visit the Library webpage at otc.edu/library.
Carol Jones Writing Center
The Carol Jones Writing Center is a free, friendly service provided to all OTC students. Our staff of student peer tutors will assist you with any aspect of any writing assignment for any course. Whether you are selecting a topic, pre-writing, organizing, composing the draft, revising, editing or documenting your sources, the writing center can help.
The writing center is located on the second floor of Information Commons 200, directly above the OTC Library. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30-6:30 and Friday 8:30-2:30. Walk-ins are welcome, but call ahead for an appointment to insure someone will be available to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (417) 447-8235.
The Carol Jones Writing Center also offers synchronous one-on-one online tutoring to anyone with Internet access. Online tutorials are on an appointment only basis and are offered only during regular business hours. Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance so the student can be coached on how to navigate the system. Call (417) 447-8235 for your appointment.
Speech Communication Center
The Speech Communication Center is dedicated to providing free student/ community support through quality tutoring and mentoring in the areas of select world languages, public speaking, and the communication disciplines. Students from all disciplines may benefit from services provided by OTC’s Speech Communication Center. The following free services are provided:
- Help with speech anxiety and communication apprehension.
- Guidance regarding topic selection, organization, research, development, outlining and speech delivery for oral presentations in any course.
- Speech rehearsal and speech taping for online or seated classes.
- Personal tutoring for any communication course.
- Individualized tutoring of world language courses including American Sign Language, French, German and Spanish.
The Speech Communication Center is located in Information Commons 200 on the OTC Springfield Campus. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. For more information, operating hours, or to schedule an appointment call (417) 447-8982 or e-mail speechcenter@otc.edu.
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