Jan 16, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, February 13, 2025, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for: Greenhouse and Garden.
This is a free program sponsored by the Friends of Curry Campus and will be held in the Community Room on Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway (off Highway 101), Brookings. Bring a friend and a brown bag lunch.
Are you wondering what to be doing in the garden this month and next month? Do you know about the Greenhouse Project in Curry County? Would you like to know more about what the Curry County Master Gardeners offer the public?
Julia Bott is happy to answer these questions. Julia is an Oregon State University (OSU) Curry County Master Gardener – a volunteer since 2018.As a community volunteer Julia and other Master Gardeners help people with their sustainable gardening activities such as running the plant clinic, educational presentations, and school gardens. Currently she is one of numerous volunteers leading garden classes for 2nd and 4th graders at Kalmiopsis Elementary School in Brookings. Overall, OSU Curry County Master Gardener volunteers provide locally relevant scientific information for gardening in our area.Julia first became interested in gardening in college and had a job working in the organic garden to supply the college dorms. Gardening was new to Julia. She grew up in an area with no greenspace nor gardens.
Julia said “As a teenager I remember asking someone who did have a garden how deep their dirt went because I was only familiar with built environments with concrete and asphalt. Not all learning occurs in the classroom! That part time job in college changed my life. It may be why I’m so into school garden programs.”
There are two things that guide Julia. “First, I always remind myself I am a gardener, not a farmer. It’s all about scale. Secondly, it doesn’t have to look pretty to taste great. I grow and eat a lot of vegetables that can be compared to a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.”
Explore, grow, and create with the Friends of Curry Campus on the second Thursday of every month during the school year. Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Jan 15, 2025 | Community, Curry News, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – High school students with an interest in the culinary and baking arts are invited to a special evening of exploration at Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) on Thursday, February 6th, from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. This free event offers a unique opportunity to experience the world of cooking and learn about a future in the culinary field.
Attendees will enjoy live cooking demonstrations, participate in an engaging Q&A session, and meet OCCI’s talented chefs, instructors, and staff. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in the culinary arts or just curious about the craft, this is your chance to get hands-on insights in a fun and focused setting.
Event Details
- What: OCCI Experience Event for High School Students and their Families
- When: Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Oregon Coast Culinary Institute, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay
- Cost: Free
- RSVP: Email or call 541-888-7309 to reserve your spot
Space is limited, so RSVPs are highly encouraged! Don’t miss this chance to discover your culinary potential at OCCI.
Can’t make it to the event? Learn more about OCCI’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs at www.socc.edu/occi, where you can also schedule a personalized campus tour. OCCI offers scholarships, financial aid, and nationally recognized culinary education to help you achieve your career goals.
About Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI)
The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) is a professionally accredited culinary institution at Southwestern Oregon Community College located in Coos Bay, Oregon. OCCI offers both degrees and certificates in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts. The school is renowned for providing comprehensive culinary training programs that equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the culinary industry. With a focus on hands-on learning, experienced faculty, and affordable programs, OCCI is committed to nurturing culinary talent and shaping the next generation of talented chefs. For more information, visit www.socc.edu/occi.
Jan 14, 2025 | Community, Curry News, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College is helping to meet the growing need for mental health care providers in our community through a new statewide pilot program. Under this program, students completing the Human Services Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree can register as Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA-Rs) immediately upon graduation.
This initiative, launched by the Oregon Health Authority in collaboration with the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), educational institutions, and behavioral health organizations, provides a streamlined pathway to QMHA certification. By combining education requirements with supervised practicum hours completed through local partnering providers, the program expands the workforce and enables graduates to meet critical community needs.
“Our local partners have expressed a growing need for trained mental health associates,” said Jenn Lewis, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Human Services Program Coordinator at Southwestern. “This pilot program empowers our students to meet that demand and make an immediate, meaningful impact in our community.”
Southwestern’s Human Services AAS degree equips students with foundational skills and real-world experience for a career in mental health support. The program includes coursework in counseling, ethics, crisis intervention, and multicultural issues, along with hands-on training through local practicum opportunities.
For students, this provides even more opportunity to work in the high-demand field of mental health care more quickly. The QMHA Pilot Program runs from winter 2025 through spring 2029. Southwestern is proud to play a role in strengthening the behavioral health workforce and supporting healthier, more resilient communities.
Students interested in pursuing Human Services at Southwestern and becoming eligible to register as QMHA-Rs upon graduating should connect with our admissions team via Email or text “Human Services” or call 541-240-8227.
Jan 2, 2025 | Community, Foundation, News
Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation in collaboration with the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) invites guests 21 years and older to attend Uncorking Opportunity! on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The event featuring fantastic food, fun and friends takes place from 6-8 p.m., at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
This is the Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser and biggest event of the year. Enjoy an evening of conversation and delectable hors d’oeuvres prepared by student chefs and specially paired with Oregon wines provided by well-known wineries from the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette Valleys. The event also features both a silent and small live auction of adventures and fun learning opportunities.
Tickets are $95 per person, available at www.socc.edu/give. Thanks to sponsor support, 100 percent of ticket proceeds and funds raised go to scholarships for culinary students and others pursuing degrees and training at Southwestern’s Coos and Curry campuses.
This year’s sponsors to-date include: Al Peirce Co., Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Coos Bay Vision Center, Umpqua Bank, NW Natural, Scott Partney Construction, Bradford McKeown Financial Advisor and The Mill Casino-Hotel. Participating wineries include: Elk Cove Winery, Kriselle Cellars, Abacella Winery, Dobbes Family Winery, Willamette Valley Vineyards and King Estate.
Examples of some of the auction adventure items include:
- Tickets to an exclusive Winemaker’ Dinner featuring King Estate Vineyards and the college’s culinary competition team in April 2025
- Private OCCI Group Cooking Class
- Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
- A night at the Ashland Springs Hotel with a Shakespeare play
- One-Week Stay in Hawaii
- “Name Your Own” Scholarship
…and so much more!
Space is limited! It is highly recommended people secure tickets in advance. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To purchase tickets, go to www.socc.edu/give. For more information, contact the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.
SWOCC Foundation Uncorking Opportunity! Event Overview:
**Important: Guests must be 21+ years old**
- Date/Time: Friday, January 31, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.
- Location: OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave. Coos Bay, OR
- RSVP: Reservations are highly encouraged as space is limited. Secure your spot by purchasing at socc.edu/give. Call 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.
- Cost: $95 per person – Includes 6+ wine & hors d’oeuvre pairings; access to silent/live auction and an evening of fun conversation with OCCI student chefs. 100% of ticket proceeds goes directly to student scholarships.
About the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has supported the College to improve people’s lives – socially, culturally, economically and educationally – through friend-raising and fundraising. The College serves Curry, Coos and western Douglas county residents’ needs for transfer degrees, high-skill job training and community classes. For more information about the foundation, visit www.socc.edu/foundation.
Jan 2, 2025 | Community, Curry News, Foundation, News, OCCI News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is accepting scholarship applications to help students achieve their educational and career goals. Any credit-seeking student—those pursuing a degree or certificate—planning to attend Southwestern during the 2025-26 academic year is encouraged to apply. Applications are open January 1 – March 1, 2025, at www.socc.edu/scholarships.
With one simple application, students can be considered for multiple scholarships. Students who apply by 11:59 p.m. on February 1, 2025, will be eligible to be considered for a $1,000 Early Bird Scholarship. The final deadline for all applications is 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Thanks to the generosity of community donors, Southwestern Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships annually. These funds are available to students pursuing nearly every field of study at the College’s Coos and Curry campuses and at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI).
Workshops to Help You Succeed!
Need help with your scholarship application? Have questions about the FAFSA/financial aid? Join us at one of our FREE workshops!
Scholarship Writing Seminar – Build confidence and learn tips for writing strong essays.
Coos Campus, Empire Hall Lakeview E (above cafeteria)
- Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025:
- Session 1 = 11:00 a.m. – Noon
- Session 2 = 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Drop-In Workshops – Get personalized, in-person help from financial aid and scholarship experts. Bring your specific FAFSA or scholarship questions, or use this time to work on your application with representatives on site. Computers will be available for use.
Coos Campus, Tioga 301 (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay):
- Monday, Jan 27 @ 1:00 – 3:00pm
- Friday, Feb 7 @ 3:00 – 5:00pm
- Thursday, Feb 13 @ 10:00 – 12:00pm
- Wednesday, Feb 26th @ 4:00 – 6:00pm
Curry Campus, Room 232 (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings):
- Tuesday, Jan 28th @ 10:30 – 2:30pm
A Legacy of Support for Students
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has helped thousands of students achieve their educational and training dreams by breaking down financial barriers. Scholarships make it possible for students to focus on their education, build skills and prepare for future career success.
Interested in supporting Southwestern students? Visit www.socc.edu/give to learn how you can contribute.
Contact Information
For more information about Southwestern Foundation scholarships, visit www.socc.edu/scholarships, email foundation@socc.edu or call 541-888-7209.
Dec 17, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for: Discover the Natural World of Costa Rica!
This is a free program sponsored by the Friends of Curry Campus and will be held in the Community Room on Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway (off Highway 101), Brookings. Bring a friend and a brown bag lunch.
Take a photographic journey into the natural world of vibrant Costa Rica. Discover the amazing and diverse bird life, mammals, amphibians and flora that populate the rain forests and beaches of this beautiful country.
Vicki Gorham will present photos, and a lecture based on a recent trip to Costa Rica. Vicki and her husband Bill have traveled extensively over the past several years and they enjoy sharing Vicki’s photos and love of nature.
Explore the canals full of wildlife in Tortuguero (where no cars are allowed) to the hanging bridges in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and the steaming rainforest known as the Rainmaker Reserve. Several volcanos dot the landscape through the middle of Costa Rica, including Arenal, considered to be one of the most active volcanos in the world. The beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park are a favorite for swimming and spotting all three monkeys indigenous to Costa Rica, along with iguanas, parrots, sloths, and much more.
Vicki’s previous presentations on Australia and Africa in this lecture series were rich with stories of animal encounters. Please join us for a journey into a warm rainforest on a January day.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in the Friends of Curry speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
