Mar 10, 2025 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is hiring individuals 18-24 years old this spring for the SWOCC Trail Crew to build hiking trails. The project will involve restoration and construction of trails and bridges through SWOCC’s Coos Campus forest beside Empire Lakes and connecting to Coos Bay’s John Topits Park. This is a partnership between the College, SOWIB, and Port Orford-based Ptarmigan Trails. Construction is scheduled to begin April 15 and be completed June 1, 2025.
Trail Crew members will be full-time and get to work outside. They will get training in hands-on tool use and learn trail-construction skills that can be used in recreation, forestry, landscaping and other outdoor career pathways. This is the first phase of a project to build more than 4.5 miles of natural surface trails on the Coos Campus for walking, hiking and mountain biking.
SOWIB will provide all necessary gear for the crew including boots, gloves, and safety equipment.
To apply, interested individuals can go to https://l.ead.me/wrqbox, call (541) 252-2394, or email corey@wrqbox.com.
Mar 5, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College announces the names of students who excelled fall term for the 2024-2025 academic school year. These students are being recognized with placement on the College’s Dean’s List (DL), Honor Roll (HR) and Academic Excellence (AE) list.
• Academic Excellence – students must receive a GPA of 4.0 in at least 12 credits
• Honor Roll – students must receive a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99 in at least 12 credits
• Dean’s List – students must receive a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 in at least 12 credits
Mar 5, 2025 | Alumni, Community, News, Student Success
SWOCC Business Program Shapes Future Leaders
At Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC), students aren’t just filling seats—they’re shaping their futures. With unique goals and diverse ambitions, each one is committed to making a meaningful impact on the world. SWOCC’s business programs are designed to nurture those aspirations, providing a solid foundation for future leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who think big!
Whether you aim to start your own business, advance in your current role, or transfer to a four-year school, our program provides you with the knowledge and tools to reach your goals. With small classes, expert instructors, and a comprehensive curriculum, SWOCC business students graduate equipped with real-world skills that help them succeed and give back to their communities.
Take LaMont Swinson, for example. A 2000 graduate, LaMont’s story is one of resilience, determination, and giving back. Originally from Wasilla, Alaska, he was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. At SWOCC, he excelled both on the basketball court, leading the Lakers to a regional championship, and in the classroom, earning an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree. LaMont continued his education at the Oregon Institute of Technology, where he helped lead his team to the national Elite Eight.
LaMont’s career has been equally impressive. After spending 13 years as assistant vice president and branch manager for First Community Credit Union, he is now branch manager for Directors Mortgage. But LaMont’s connection to SWOCC doesn’t end there. He continues to serve as the assistant men’s basketball coach, mentor young people, and is a member of the SWOCC Foundation board. LaMont was honored as SWOCC’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2019. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities or education. LaMont was chosen for the award for a multitude of reasons, but especially because he is a person who continuously helps young people navigate the world and always gives back to students in an uplifting way.
“I tell students that SWOCC offers a great foundation for your future,” says LaMont. “It doesn’t matter where you start from, where you come from. You’ll find those people at SWOCC that I found. The ones that opened their hearts to me. Held me accountable and had expectations for me. That built in me a foundation that allowed me to go on and grow and succeed. Believe me. Everyone here wants you to succeed.”
Misha Whittaker’s journey also began at SWOCC, where she earned Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Business Management and Accounting in 2019. She credits her success to the hands-on learning and personal guidance she received at SWOCC, including her internship with Cardinal Services, which ultimately led to a full-time job.
“I would not be where I am now without the SWOCC Business Program and Professor Jessica Engelke,” Misha shares. “She not only connected me with the job but also inspired me to keep pushing myself.”
After starting as a part-time payroll support specialist, Misha transitioned to a full-time customer service manager and eventually into her current role as a payroll specialist. In addition to professional growth, Misha has established a life in Coos Bay with her husband and their son. “SWOCC gave me the support and opportunities to start my career, and now I’m able to give back to my family and community. As I think about the future and raising my son, I’m motivated to keep pushing forward — knowing each step not only builds my life and my family’s but contributes to a stronger community for those to come.”
SWOCC offers a variety of pathways tailored to students’ diverse career goals. The Business Transfer Degree prepares students to enter bachelor-level business programs at public Oregon universities, providing a strong foundation in business principles. For those looking to specialize, there are certificates in areas such as Accounting/Bookkeeping, Business Management/Entrepreneurship, Retail Management, and Supervision. Plus, programs can be completed entirely online or part-time, offering flexibility to fit the busiest schedules.
SWOCC’s business program isn’t just about getting a job — it’s about making a difference. With opportunities for experienced-based learning, internships with local businesses, and specialized certificates, students like LaMont and Misha gained the knowledge and skills they needed to thrive in their careers.
The College’s mission is to “inspire innovation, lifelong enrichment, and contribution to global society.” Through its business program, SWOCC empowers students to do just that — think bigger than themselves and go on to lead successful, impactful lives.
Where are we now?
Are you a SWOCC Alum, or do you know one who’s making a difference in their community?
We’d love to hear your story!
Whether it’s your own journey or someone you admire, share how a SWOCC alum is creating positive change.
Email us at alumni@socc.edu with your name, contact information, and a brief description of what you (or your nominee) are doing. If selected, we’ll follow up to learn more and, with your permission, share your story to inspire others in our community!
Mar 5, 2025 | Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College has a Traffic Control Flagger class scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Brookings. This course meets Oregon Department of Transportation requirements for traffic control flaggers. Students who complete this course will receive certification cards.
The class meets from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Curry Campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College at 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway in Brookings. The training covers certification and re-certification. The $149 fee includes class materials. Pre-registration and payment are required prior to class. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to receive certification. Please bring snacks to eat during breaks if needed, as there is no lunch break provided during this training.
For more information on this class and to register contact the Student Success Center at the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Feb 27, 2025 | News
Photo left to right: Sara Stephens, Interim Executive Director of SOWIB; Terry Cheyne, Diesel Mechanic Instructor; Marcia Jensen, SWOCC Board of Education Chair; Patty Scott, SWOCC President; Ali Mageehon, SWOCC Vice President of Instruction & Student Services; Cap Sharples, SWOCC Foundation Board; Brennen Javorsky, SWOCC Foundation Developer; Elise Hamner, SWOCC Foundation Executive Dean; Julie Ryan, Paramedicine Program Faculty Director; Jacquelyn Hansford, SWOCC Office of Instruction Administrative Assistant
COOS BAY, Ore. – Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is pleased to announce investment in the future of skilled trades with a $100,000 donation tied to the launch of a diesel mechanic technology program at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). This donation is the first step toward the college constructing a shop building for the new hands-on training designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the diesel repair industry.
“At SOWIB, we understand the future of our economy depends on the development of a skilled workforce,” said Sara Stephens, Interim Executive Director of SOWIB. “This program is an important investment in our community’s workforce development and will provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the growing diesel mechanic industry. We are excited to partner with SWOCC to build this essential training infrastructure and ensure that our region remains competitive and well-prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.”
SWOCC will open the diesel mechanic training program in fall 2025, in temporary space in a vehicle bay in Umpqua Hall on the Coos Bay campus. Plans are under way to construct a dedicated four-bay shop facility on the campus to accommodate future growth and expanded training opportunities in apprenticeships. Over the next two years, the college will complete site analysis and shop design, while working with SWOCC Foundation on fundraising. The goal is to move the program into the dedicated facility in fall 2026 or 2027.
The program will provide students with entry-level skills in engine and truck maintenance and repair fundamentals, creating a direct pathway to high-paying jobs in industries such as trucking, maritime, fleet management, rail, forestry and agriculture. Graduates will have the opportunity to earn short-term certificates and advanced certifications, equipping them with valuable credentials to secure jobs in high-demand fields. Thanks to a U.S. Department of Labor grant, the College hired Terry Cheyne in January as the lead diesel mechanic instructor to develop curriculum and prepare lab space. Cheyne has 30 years of diesel mechanic industry experience in shop development, business management and technology implementation.
“I am really excited about this. I own a business and have a good team in place to keep it going, freeing me to teach and have a positive outcome that supports businesses,” Cheyne said. “We all hear from mechanic shops ‘I can’t hire anyone’. To have this opportunity is just golden.”
Community and industry backing has been exceptional, with strong participation from local business owners and representatives regionally in trucking, construction, and natural resources. Many have volunteered their expertise to help design the program and have pledged equipment and scholarship donations to support a rapid launch and long-term success.
“This program is a game-changer. Our region’s businesses and agencies have struggled with a shortage of mechanics, and this program will help quickly,” said Patty Scott, college president. “This project is a perfect example that when we work with industry partners, we innovate to meet workforce needs, design hands-on programs, and put students on career paths where they are in high demand immediately when they complete training.”
For more information about the diesel mechanic program, contact instructor Terry Cheyne at (541) 888-7242 or email terry.cheyne@socc.edu.
To discuss ways to support the diesel mechanic program start-up, contact SWOCC Foundation by calling (541) 888-7211 or email foundation@socc.edu.
Feb 25, 2025 | Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for: Imaginative Creative Writing.
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.
Gold Beach Residents: Coral will also be sharing her presentation at the GOLD BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY on SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
Coral Anderson will teach Creative Writing and Story Worlds at the Curry Campus this spring. Coral will engage in a short program with the Friends of Curry Campus so that we can meet her and sample a bit of her teaching. The first part of the full-term class includes reading and analysis of published works such as scenes, dialogue, themes, and structure. The second part of the class involves writing exercises both at home and in class.
Coral describes her teaching experiences saying, “I have profoundly enjoyed teaching writing in both college and high school contexts. Homeschooling my own high school aged children has granted me a broader scope of appreciation for curriculum that can foster cross-curricular excellence while preparing them for collegiate studies and career paths beyond college. I believe that students of all ages can unlock the door to eloquent self-expression in whatever subsequent field of inquiry they undertake. Literature and writing are doorways for students into greater expression of their own thoughts and interests. Ideally, those doorways will open ever-widening and expanding conversations within the larger community for robust engagement within all the arenas – personal or civic – that matter most.”
Over the course of two decades, Coral has taught Freshman Composition & Rhetoric in a private college; served as a K-12 substitute teacher; engaged 9-12th graders in critical thinking about literature in a private Catholic high school; team-led a Waldorf Kindergarten built entirely outdoors; served as an assistant director of one metropolitan preschool and then – a decade later – spent three years tromping through nature with children in a yoga-based outdoor preschool on California’s Central Coast. In 2005, she pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Antioch University in Los Angeles. “Stories… they allow us to live outside of ourselves for a little while and yet, somehow, find more of ourselves in the process… As an only child, books were my friends whom I loved and interacted with all through my growing up years. In writing, you can take a journey to explore the things that intrigue you… without money, and with the luxury of time and imagination,” shared Coral.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in the Friends of Curry Speaker Series. Spring term lectures will feature animals that conservationists are trying to save. Watch for more information about these lectures in the College News publication coming to you soon in your mailbox. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Feb 25, 2025 | Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes spring term 2025. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.
We will have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:
- MorningGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
- AfternoonGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
- EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm
All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class will also be live and in person on the Curry Campus in Brookings.
For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Spring term starts March 31st and ends June 12th.
To register for orientation and classes, go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.
Feb 24, 2025 | Curry Campus, Curry News, News, OCCI News
Spring Term 2024-25 is quickly approaching! Classes start Monday, March 31, 2025. Below are instructions about how to register. If you are experiencing any issues registering after reading the below, please contact us:
- Coos Campus Students: Call 541-888-7352 or Email
- Curry Campus Students: Call 541-813-1677 or Email
REGISTRATION FOR DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE SEEKING STUDENTS:
If you are already a current/admitted student, below are instructions on registering.
Not a current or admitted student? You’ll need to first complete an Application for Admission to Southwestern.** Not sure whether or not you’re an admitted student? Contact us using the information above! (**Note: If you’re a community member simply looking to take a credit class for fun or personal enrichment, you’ll complete the Community Education and Personal Enrichment Form in lieu of the Application for Admission).
Spring Term 2024-25 credit classes begin Monday, March 31, 2025. Registration for credit classes is available February 24, 2025 – April 2, 2025 (from April 3-9, 2025, you will first need instructor consent to register for a class). To register:
- First clear with your advisor! If you’re unsure who your advisor is, you may call 541-888-7405 or schedule an advising meeting. Curry Campus students call 541-813-1667.
- Login to myLakerLink using your student ID and password.
- Search for courses to add under the “2024-2025 Spring Term” drop down.
REGISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY CLASSES (COMMUNITY EDUCATION):
Spring Term 2024-25 community education class registration opens March 5, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. To register, follow the instructions on the top of the community class page.
As a reminder, all academic term dates and other important milestones may be found on the Academic Calendar. Click on the “2024-25 Academic Calendar” button for a .pdf version, or click on the “categories” button and filter for “instructional calendar” to view the online version.
Feb 21, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News
Coos Bay, OR – Experience an evening of culinary excellence and exquisite wines as the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) and Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation present the 2025 Winemaker’s Dinner on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The Winemaker’s Dinner immerses guests in an evening of conversation and storytelling with premier Oregon winery King Estate Winery. Scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, the menu will pair five wines with the fine cuisine of award-winning OCCI Executive Chef Randy Torres and his student chefs. This multi-course meal will feature carefully crafted food and wine pairings that highlight the unique and complimentary attributes of spectacular Northwest cuisine.
Sit down among friends. Learn about the history of the vineyard, which was planted on 16 acres in 1992 and eventually developed into today’s 1,033-acre world class winery. The conversation will touch on propagation, terroir and the art of fermentation. The winery produces 23 varieties of red, white, rose and sparkling wines, and is touted as North America’s largest certified biodynamic vineyard.
“This Winemaker’s Dinner is more than a celebration of fine food and excellent wine – it’s a showcase of our students’ dedication, skill and passion for learning. We strive to inspire excellence in our students, which you will experience at this intimate event. Every plate tells the story of their hard work, and every dollar raised helps us shape the future of the next generation of culinary professionals,” said Chef Torres.
Tickets for this fundraising event are $190 per person. Seating is limited. “We are grateful for this support and ultimately being able to support the local economy and provide excellent chefs for the tourism and culinary industries,” Torres said.
For more information or to purchase seats, please contact the Southwestern Foundation at (541) 888-7209, email foundation@socc.edu. or go to www.socc.edu/give.
Feb 19, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
Southwestern Oregon Community College takes home the Leah Meyer Austin Award.
Photo left to right: Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant; Dr. Alisha Lund, Director of Institutional Effectiveness; Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services; Dr. Patty Scott, College President
COOS BAY, OR — Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility, today awarded the Leah Meyer Austin Award, its highest recognition, to Southwestern Oregon Community College as well as Chattanooga State Community College.
The award, given annually, signifies a college’s adoption of practices and strategies leading to a student-focused culture, notable increases in student outcomes, and a reduction of equity gaps. The announcement was made at ATD’s annual DREAM conference, which brought over 2,000 community college leaders, faculty, student affairs staff, and other higher education practitioners to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
“Selection for the Leah Meyer Austin Award is a highly competitive process,” noted ATD President and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout. “Winners of this award do not just demonstrate pockets of excellence; they employ a holistic approach to student success that permeates their entire institution and results in whole-college transformation. Chattanooga State and Southwestern Oregon community colleges have the bold leadership and the across-the-board commitment of faculty and staff that make them true standouts in their student success efforts. I congratulate them wholeheartedly on their achievements.”
Southwestern Oregon Community College has been an ATD institution since 2012, when it joined the Network as one in a group of nine rural Oregon community colleges. The institution achieved Leader College status in 2015, which it held until 2021 and regained in 2023.
“We are so pleased to be honored with this award. This recognition reflects an unwavering commitment to student success by every single employee of our college,” said Southwestern’s President Patty Scott. “We know our students. We know they have diverse needs and complex lives. We have proven that by putting students first and adapting our programs and services to their individual needs, they will succeed. Ultimately, not only do our students benefit, so do their families, our workforce and our communities.”
Dedicated to Student Success
Southwestern’s dedication to student success has long been rooted in its responsiveness to community needs, and the college has particularly excelled in its recent efforts to engage and support its district’s adult learner population. Recognizing that adult learners are often forced to balance their studies with work and family responsibilities, the college has implemented several reforms that benefit both adult learners and part-time learners — two subpopulations that often overlap. By creating specialized advising and new age- and lifestyle-appropriate student orientations; performing a thorough evaluation of both its communication practices as well as its portfolio of academic and workforce programs; and improving its online services, which are often utilized by adult learners who appreciate the convenience, Southwestern has realized several notable improvements.
For example, in comparing the 2017 cohort to the 2020 cohort, the four-year completion rate among part-time learners improved by 8.7 percentage points, narrowing the equity gap between adult learners and traditional-aged learners by 3.2 percentage points. Between adult learners and traditional-aged learners, the gap narrowed by an impressive 6.7 percentage points, as the rate of completion among the former rose 12.3 percentage points.
With nearly half of the total student body composed of first-generation students — many of whom are also adult learners and many of whom are economically marginalized — great efforts have been made to accelerate the success of this population through financial supports. As a complement to TRIO services, the college introduced the SNAP Training and Employment Program (STEP) to provide students with basic needs assistance as well as support with the costs of books, transportation, and interview clothing. Southwestern also employs a benefits navigator who assists students in finding help with basic needs support in the community. In addition, the college’s foundation supplements these services with scholarships, including emergency scholarships to help with unexpected expenses or utility bills. As the result of these efforts, the equity gap between first-generation and non-first-generation learners in fall-to-fall persistence narrowed by 3 percentage points, from 8.2% in the fall 2019 cohort to 5.2%, in the fall 2022 cohort.
Mandating academic advising, implementing a more robust early alert system that notifies advisors and support staff when a student needs additional assistance, utilizing new placement procedures, and moving to a co-requisite course system, among other innovations, have contributed to overall advances in student success rates for the college. Most notably, from the fall 2017 cohort to the fall 2020 cohort, the overall four-year completion rate grew 6.6 percentage points, and the rate at which students transfer and earn a baccalaureate degree, despite severe geographical hardships, rose 3.7 percentage points from the fall 2015 cohort to the fall 2018 cohort.
A copy of the Case Study recognizing Southwestern, published by Achieving the Dream, can be accessed here.
Achieving the Dream’s Leah Meyer Austin Award
The Leah Meyer Austin Award was established in 2008 to recognize outstanding achievement in supporting and promoting student success through the creation of a culture of evidence, continuous improvement, systemic institutional change, broad engagement of stakeholders, and equity. The annual prize is given in honor of Leah Meyer Austin, former senior vice president for program development and organizational learning at the Lumina Foundation and emerita director of the ATD Board of Directors, whose visionary leadership shaped the development of Achieving the Dream. Chattanooga State Community College and Southwestern Oregon Community College are the 23rd and 24th ATD Network Colleges, respectively, to receive the award. A complete list of past winners can be found here.
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on our expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, we provide institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. We call this Whole College Transformation. Our vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities. We know that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers.
