Ozarks Technical 
Community College

Joyce received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education (minor in music) from Millikin University (Decatur, IL) and then went on to complete her Master's in Education (Counseling) from Western Illinois University. Previous to working in the profession of college counseling, Joyce worked as a secretary and office assistant as well as a part-time piano teacher. Upon graduation with her Master's, Joyce began her first counseling position at Casper College in Casper, WY. After serving four-years as a college counselor in Casper, she was hired by OTC in 1997 to develop a personal/career counseling service for the young college. She has been at OTC ever since!

Currently, Joyce serves as Director of Counseling Services and is also the Chair of OTC's Behavioral Intervention Team. She has also served as Counselor, Director of Counseling & Career Resources and Director of Counseling & Advising during her tenure at OTC. Joyce is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has served actively with the American College Counseling Association as both a volunteer and as an elected Executive Council member.

Joyce's proudest professional accomplishments include initiating the development of OTC' Counseling department, developing and implementing OTC's Behavioral Intervention Team, involving herself in the leadership and mission of the American College Counseling Association and most recently, introducing OTC to the internationally recognized Mental Health First Aid initiative. In her life outside of OTC, Joyce serves as music coordinator of her church, enjoys playing piano and singing for a variety of groups and most importantly raising her two beautiful children.

James received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Sociology, and Criminology with a minor in Global Studies from Drury University. He then went on to complete his Master's in Counseling from Missouri State University. Previous to working in the profession of counseling, James worked as camera operator in microfilm storage, and dietary assistant in a residential care facility. Upon Graduation with his master's, James began working full-time for Ozarks Technical Community College in 2005. James is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has served actively as Chair of the Underage Drinking Task Force and as a member and volunteer of the American College Counseling Association. James also serves on OTC's Wellness Committee.
 
Currently, James serves as Coordinator of Counseling Services and is a member of OTC's Behavioral Intervention Team. He also teaches CAC 120 Keys to College Success. Previously James has taught introductory level psychology and criminology courses. James is also serving as a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor at OTC.

When his work day ends, James is married to Elizabeth Carpenter who is the Testing Services Aide at OTC. He also enjoys collecting all things Superman (feel free to stop by and view a small portion of his collection located in his office on the main OTC campus). His favorite shows are "Criminal Minds", "Flipping Out with Jeff Lewis", "Pawn Stars", "American Pickers", and "Storage Wars". James is also interested antique cars, restoring them back to life, and motorcycles.

My bachelor's degree is in Industrial Technology Education from Missouri Southern State University. This allowed me the opportunity to teach Industrial Technology in both large urban and smaller rural schools throughout the state of Missouri. I settled down in Southwest Missouri after receiving my Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Missouri State University. After graduating with my master's degree I started at the Heart of the Ozarks Technical Community College. Being a member of the founding Ozarks Technical Community College staff, I've seen the growth of our institution.

Making a career choice is scary! I enjoy working with college students in developing sound career options for them.  As a Career Counselor, my duties are to assist students in creating a sound career development plan for themselves. I also enjoy demonstrating career resources that students can utilize in making a sound career choice.
My time is layered between two areas in the Student Services area; Counseling Services and Career Employment Services. This is fun and rewarding to assist students in both Career Counseling and finding a job. Student Services at OTC has many resources that can assist in their career success.

Heather started her college education at Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Missouri.  She transferred to Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri and received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.  Heather then completed her Master's Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Community Agency from Missouri State University. 

Heather has worked at OTC for several years and prior to working with the Counseling Department she worked in Student Services in their phone bank.  She also has worked at a local non-profit agency working with clients with Autism. 

Heather completed her Master's Seminar paper on the Effects of Animal Assisted Therapy Techniques on Individuals in Institutionalized Settings.  Her future goals, once her licensure is complete, is to work in the community with animal therapy.  She also plans on completing the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteer program so she can assist in the aftermath of crises. 

Outside of OTC, Heather is married to Jacob Lewellen, Director of the Speckman Tutoring and Learning Center.  She is active in her church and spends free time at home with her many dogs and cats.

Judy received her Bachelor degree in Home economics from the College of the Ozarks at Point Lookout, Missouri, where she worked at the Rose O'neal Tea Room and swam back stroke for the college swim team. Next was a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Continuing her education, Judy became a Licensed Professional Counselor by taking additional master's level courses and completing the 3000 practicum counseling Federal prisoners at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, Department of Justice.

Judy's career has included home economics teacher, assistant director and counselor at the Genevieve Kynion Girls' Club, public school counselor, social worker in child abuse investigations and counseling challenged families, Federal correctional officer,  Federal warehouse worker leader, first guidance counselor at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, GED teacher, English as a second language teacher, career counselor and group and individual therapist,  pre-release and parenting work-shop presenter, and Ozark Technical Community College part-time counselor for providing career counseling, therapy, and crisis counseling.

Judy is a  down to earth counselor  who loves people, pets, outdoor activities, cooking, sewing, and movies. She grew up at Everton, Missouri on a 120-acre farm and enjoys both rural and city activities. She belongs to the American Psychotherapy Association and the Missouri Community College Association.

Originally from Nevada, MO, Steve began his educational journey at Westminster College in Fulton, MO.  Discovering a love for sign language and working with the deaf, he relocated to Kansas City where he attended Johnson County Community College earning his Associate of Arts degree.  He then attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelor of General Studies double majoring in Human Development and Psychology.  Continuing his interest in working with the deaf, he then obtained his Master of Arts from the University of Kansas specializing in Human Development and Behavior Analysis.  His graduate research was on reading education and deaf students. After completion of his degree, he relocated to Springfield, MO where he served as both a disability advocate and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.  During this time, he completed his second Master's at Missouri State University in Counseling and his research focus at this time was on gender identity issues.

Steve has been with OTC since 2005 and currently serves as the Coordinator of Advisor Training and Development.  These duties also include counseling and serving as a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid.  In addition, he is one of the advisors for OTC's nationally ranked Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter, is a certified Leadership Development Studies instructor and teaches American Sign Language at the college.

Outside of OTC, Steve is married to Jo Fritts, Department Chair of Early Childhood Education, and he has a love of all things Cirque du Soleil, k. d. Lang and Loreena McKennitt.  Loving to travel, his favorite cities are Las Vegas, NV, Edinburgh, Scotland, Boulder, CO, and Montreal, Quebec but of course he is happy wherever the wind takes him and Cirque du Soleil is performing under the big top.

Becky has lived all of her life in the Springfield area. However, she has traveled extensively within the United States with her husband when they were first married. Because of travels, completing her post-secondary degree has been a long process. Becky finally graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology in May of 2011 from Drury University. She is currently working on her Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology. She is eagerly anticipating the next chapter in her life to see where the pathway may lead.

Becky began working at Ozarks Technical Community College full-time in July, 1993. Over the years, Counseling Services has changed names, but Becky has continued to have the same job title until July, 2011 at which time her job title included Secretary to the Director of Academic Advising as well as Secretary to the Director of Counseling Services. Becky is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer. Prior to working in Counseling Services, Becky worked two years part-time in the JTPA Office Occupations Program as a teacher aide at OTC. She has also held the role of wife, mother, truck driver, and switchboard operator.

When not at work or school, Becky's hobbies include gardening, walking, playing the piano, riding four-wheelers, and spending time with her two sons and her husband. Becky also has a passion for animals. Living in a rural part of Southwest Missouri, many stray animals find their way to her door. She always finds food and a home for them. Currently Becky has two cats. Frisbee is a beautiful black cat that is 11-years old and Gibby is a 3-year old tiger striped cat. Becky is also the proud grandparent of a chocolate heeler-border collie mix dog named Collin.