Ozarka College Awarded National Exemplary Program in Education

Published on December 2, 2025

Ozarka College is proud to announce that its Associate of Science in Education (ASE) program has been selected as a 2025–2026 Exemplary Program Award recipient by the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP). This national honor recognizes outstanding community college teacher preparation programs that demonstrate excellence in student support, collaboration, and instructional quality, highlighting the commitment to prepare aspiring educators and strengthen the regional teacher pipeline.

Ozarka's ASE program offers an intentionally designed, affordable pathway for students to transfer seamlessly into four-year teacher preparation programs. By pairing transferable coursework with early classroom field experiences, the program helps students connect theory to practice, build professional confidence, and gain meaningful hands-on learning.

"Ozarka's education faculty and partners are deeply committed to growing the next generation of teachers," said Dr. Chris Lorch, Provost. "This national award validates the quality of our program and the collaborative work happening across our region to support aspiring educators."

Thank you to Ozarka College faculty member Jill Sandlin for her endless efforts to make the Associate of Science in Education program an award-winning program!