Provost to retire from Ozarks Tech

provided by Ozarks Technical Community College

Tracy McGrady has worked at Ozarks Technical Community College since 2001.

Ozarks Technical Community College Provost Tracy McGrady is retiring from the Springfield higher education institution after more than two decades.

McGrady, 57, who has served as provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs since 2017, plans to retire from Ozarks Tech in July, according to a news release. She joined the full-time faculty of Ozarks Tech in 2001, starting as a communications instructor and holding roles through the years such as grants director and dean of academic and student affairs at the community college's Richwood Valley campus.

“When I started, I thought teaching was the best job in the world and that I would retire from that role,” McGrady said in the release. “But helping students is a calling and I am happy that I have been able to do that in so many different capacities over my nearly 28 years in higher education."

In her role as provost, McGrady succeeded longtime leader Steven Bishop, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. McGrady oversees faculty, curriculum, assessment and institutional priorities as Ozarks Tech's chief academic officer.

“Dr. McGrady is one of the most talented, strategic and caring executives with whom I have ever worked,” Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the release. “She has earned the respect of the college and community and has helped to lead us to a very successful place in terms of our academic offerings. I am incredibly grateful for everything she has done for Ozarks Tech.”

Ozarks Tech started the search process for McGrady's successor this month, and first-round interviews are expected to be conducted at the end of February through March 3. A successor is expected to be announced in April.

McGrady has not finalized career plans after her exit from Ozarks Tech, said Donna Barton, director of communications for the community college.