Almost 1,500 students will be served at Ozarka College’s four campuses this fall, according to official numbers released by the College.
Ozarka, which has campuses in Melbourne, Ash Flat, Mountain View and Mammoth Spring, enrolled 1,494 students this fall. That number is down slightly from last fall by only 62 students or four percent.
“We are excited to see the growth in our nursing programs and the 37 percent enrollment growth at our Mammoth Spring campus,” said Ozarka College President Dr. Richard Dawe. “We are only slightly down in total enrollment from last fall, which can be attributed in part to more people seeking employment and going back to work. This is a nation-wide trend and very predictable following a recessionary economic period. We anticipate continued growth due to new program additions and facilities in the coming year. I am especially pleased with our increased retention and completion rates at Ozarka College.”
The newest Ozarka College campus, Mammoth Spring, saw tremendous growth this fall, passing the 100-student mark for the first time with 126 students. A part of the 37 percent increase in enrollment can be attributed to the licensed practical nursing program that will begin in Mammoth Spring in January. Recruiting efforts were also increased in neighboring Oregon County, and the College saw more students from that area enrolled this fall.
The LPN program at Mammoth Spring will initially accept 16 students, and those interested in applying began prerequisite work this fall.
“We are very pleased with this increase in enrollment,” said James Spurlock, director of the Mammoth Spring campus. “The support of our local community and area high schools has been the key to our success.”
As the Mammoth Spring campus continues to grow, additional degree programs will be considered, and expanding the campus will also be planned.
Another area seeing continued growth at Ozarka is online courses. Over 50 percent of students who are enrolled at Ozarka College are taking at least one online course this fall.
In eight of the degree programs offered at Ozarka, students are able to earn degrees exclusively online. Hybrid courses have also been added to several degree options, and while only recently introduced, they allow students to attend class on-campus one day a week and complete remaining coursework online.
Ozarka College has also worked extensively with area high schools to expand concurrent course offerings for high school students. Currently, 27 sections are offered in the Melbourne, Izard County Consolidated, Viola, Highland, Salem, Mountain View, Rural Special, Couch, Koshkonong, Mammoth Spring, and Thayer school districts. Concurrent courses allow high school students an opportunity to complete college courses at the high school at a discounted rate, accelerating degree completion while saving thousands of dollars.
During the 2012-13 academic year, the number of Ozarka College graduates increased by 20 percent to 445 students, a record number for the institution. Students who graduated received associate degrees, technical certificates and certificates of proficiency.
The criminal justice and corrections program almost doubled in size this fall with 77 students registered compared to 42 last fall. With agreements in place with Arkansas State University, the degree program allows students to transfer seamlessly after they complete their Associate of Science degree to earn a Bachelor’s degree in criminology.
The fall semester also saw the highest number of scholarships awarded to students by the College and the Ozarka College Foundation. The foundation awarded 39 endowed scholarships to students and Ozarka College awarded 64. Scholarship opportunities at Ozarka College range from $250 stipends per semester to full-tuition coverage.![]()
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