Dr. Dennis C. Rittle, currently Vice President of Academic Affairs at Ozarka College, will be installed as Provost and Executive Vice President of Learning on Jan. 1.

His responsibilities in this new leadership position will include oversight of academics, student services and institutional planning and research.

"Dr. Rittle is an exceptional academic leader and one of the most professional and kind-hearted individuals that I have ever met" said Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka College president. "I cannot say enough about what he has done for Ozarka College since joining the team, but I am very pleased that he will be assuming this new position and the increased responsibilities.  Dr. Rittle is one of the strongest academic leaders in our state in my opinion and, as Provost, he will help us advance Ozarka College to new levels of excellence."

A reception has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 6 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Lobby of the John E. Miller Education Complex on the Melbourne campus to honor his appointment. The community is invited to attend and congratulate Dr. Rittle.

Dr. Rittle began serving in higher education in 1995 and earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a major in Human Resource Development from the prestigious School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship at Regent University. During his service within higher education, Dr. Rittle has served on the staff of the Kansas Board of Regents where he aligned technical curriculum for all public postsecondary institutions across the state of Kansas.

Most recently, he was Dean of Academic Affairs at Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas. He has also served as a technical education administrator at Butler Community College in Kansas, which has an enrollment of more than 12,000 students. In addition, Dr. Rittle served as a program director, instructor, and curriculum writer for the Community College of the Air Force. Dr. Rittle is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.

His scholarly endeavors include presenting at numerous national and international business and leadership conferences, including serving as a guest lecturer in Oxford, U.K. He has published extensively in publications such as the Journal of Business and Leadership, the Effective Executive, HRM Review, Global CEO, and the Journal of Advances in Business Research.

"One of my favorite quotes, which epitomizes why I enjoy serving in the educating of adult learners, is by Dr. John Dewey, a great thinker and scholar from the 20^th-century," said Rittle. "To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness. So, I get a 'natural rush' from being a part of the process which equips adult learners to pursue the career of their dreams. Simply put, it is fun!"

Dr. Rittle and his wife, Christy, have been happily married for 22 years and have two wonderful children, Daniel and Childress.

For more information, please contact Carol Langston, executive assistant to the president and development officer, at 870-368-2006 or by email at carol.langston@ozarka.edu.