The Long Game: 20 Years of Leadership at OTC

What does it take to lead an institution for 20 years—and still have the energy and vision to look toward the next 20?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College, as he reflects on two decades at the helm of OTC. When Hal arrived in Springfield in 2006, he never imagined he would still be here 20 years later. Since then, OTC has transformed—expanding campuses and facilities, adding programs, serving nearly 200,000 students, and becoming a major force in workforce development across the Ozarks.But this conversation isn't just about buildings, degrees and numbers. We talk about the leadership philosophy behind that growth, the importance of hiring people who are smarter than you, building strong relationships in the community, and what Hal has learned from both professional challenges and some very personal seasons of life.We also look ahead. Hal is currently guiding OTC through what he says will be his final strategic plan, with his contract running through 2031. So what does he still want to accomplish? What does he hope to leave behind? And what does the future of workforce development—and Springfield—look like from his perspective?It's a conversation about leadership, community, resilience, legacy and knowing when it's time to begin preparing for what's next.https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyAuthenticPodcasthttps://www.gershman.com/loan-officers/jack-langley/https://gatozarks.com/https://www.arvesthomeloan.com/jdressler.htmlhttps://www.bigfootfunpark.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066937632311 https://simplyauthenticpod.com/