Southwestern names new Dean of Curry County

Southwestern Oregon Community College has selected Jason Wood to fill the Dean of Curry County position in Brookings.

Wood, who is scheduled to begin work in August, has served as Senior Director of College Prep at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton for the past two years. He also has held positions as a recruitment coordinator and high school teacher and basketball coach. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University and a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho. Wood will fill the vacancy when longtime Dean Peggy Goergen retires this month.

Finalists for the position participated in a grueling two-day interview process that included community forums in Gold Beach, Brookings and Port Orford where community members provided valuable input and feedback on the candidates. They also had opportunities to visit wi

“We had a very strong pool which made the final selection difficult, but it also was gratifying to see so many high quality professionals wanting to work for Southwestern,” Vice President of Instruction and Student Services Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker said. “I’m excited to have Jason joining our team.”

As a former teacher and as an administrator at a rural community college, Wood brings many of the assets valuable to the Dean of Curry County position. He is familiar with operating satellite campuses in his current role with Blue Mountain, as well as issues facing community colleges serving border communities in Oregon.

“I am very excited about the many opportunities to continue building a strong program for Southwestern Oregon Community College in Curry County,” he said. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and community members to serve students.”

Press Release Date: June 26, 2007