Some Christian County residents now refer to it as “education mile,” that ribbon of Highway 14 that connects the communities of Nixa to Ozark and flows past Ozarks Technical Community College’s Richwood Valley campus.

With the addition of OTC’s new 60,000 square foot facility in the spring of 2007, the education connection is complete and enrollment at Richwood Valley is growing faster than at any of OTC’s other centers.

Richwood Valley’s enrollment is expected to top 1,000 in the fall.

“The education mile is a phrase I have heard,” said Lance Renner, dean of instruction at Richwood Valley. “We have established an education mile with Nixa schools on one end, Richwood Valley in the middle and Ozark schools on the other end.”

Marc Doss, assistant superintendent at the Ozark school district, said having Richwood Valley so close allows seniors to start taking college credit courses early and while just the top 10 percent of the seniors were taking dual courses at Richwood Valley, the number has grown to 25 percent.

But the gleaming, new facility is more than just another schoolhouse where students come to learn.

It is a community-gathering place where civic groups can use the facility for meetings and other civic events. It offers a walking trail through the pastoral wooded area surrounding the campus that will be lengthened in the coming months.

“Richwood Valley has become part of the community,” said Renner. “When it was put there, there was such a need for such a facility.”

Nixa School Superintendent Stephen Kleinsmith said having Richwood Valley in Nixa’s backyard is a big asset.

“The proximity is awesome. It’s so close to our campus. We feel more like a partner now. OTC is working hard at becoming part a community partner,” he said.

That partnership includes plans to build a community tornado shelter next year that can be used in emergencies.

More than two dozen groups use Richwood Valley as their meeting location.

One of the first groups was the Master Gardeners of Christian County, whom Steve Biermann, administrative dean at Richwood Valley, said he started talking to about using the facility in the early stages on construction.

“I was touting the college long before we swung the doors open,” Biermann said. “It was important for this area to have a facility like this. OTC’s presence in Christian County will help to meet the educational needs of the fastest growing county in Missouri.”

Barb Self, with the Master Gardeners group that numbers about 85 members, said Biermann approached the group early.

“He said he wanted to talk about a relationship with OTC. We appreciate all that he has done for us. We were one of the first in the building. We love it there,” she said.

Renner said as residents come to use Richwood Valley as both an educational and community facility, they will learn how perfect the place is for Christian County.

“The more they walk through the door, the more they realize what a jewel it is,” he said.

About Richwood Valley

OTC broke ground for Richwood Valley’s first building, the Life Science Technology Center in August of 2005. Classes began in the spring of 2007. Points of interest include:

The Life Science Technology Center, which houses a variety of general education classrooms, computer and science labs, and faculty offices.

Student amenities which include a full-service student services facility, a learning resources center, an academic achievement center, and a student café. The student atrium is the new building’s spectacular centerpiece.

A community room, available to outside organizations who wish to host a meeting at OTC – Richwood Valley.

The campus offers an A.A. transfer degree and an A.A.S. in Business and Marketing. AEL and GED programs are also available.

To reserve the community room, call Ann White at 447-7931.


Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at OTC. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu.