During the two years I attended Southwestern, I was also a member of the TRIO program. The resources TRIO provided allowed me to be a successful first-generation college graduate. Not only was I awarded various grants for my academic success, but I also had a place to go if I needed extra help with an assignment, or an inviting environment to take a break and relax. The TRIO program is also where I met my best friend and became more involved in my community through volunteering. Furthermore, the other TRIO students were welcoming, willing to help, and regularly inspired me to become a successful student. Overall, being a part of TRIO truly gave me a sense of belonging.

Taking advantage of College Now is one of the smartest decisions I made. It allowed me to enter my four-year degree with so much more flexibility in my course load that other students don’t normally have. It also allowed me to dive straight into degree specific courses, which has really helped me in the STEM field.

I came to SWOCC to play basketball and study Criminal Justice, yet I have come out of my first year with more than only those two things. SWOCC gave me the chance to learn from wonderful professors, play basketball, and also live in a beautiful place.

On the academic end of it, SWOCC let me be interactive in all my classes with small class sizes and a large variety of people from different steps in life. On the athletic end of it, they have wonderful sports facilities with a very prideful program.

SWOCC also gave me the chance to live and experience the beautiful west coast. The lake on campus, vast beaches, and endless hikes add something special to your experience.

The Expanded Options Program offered through Southwestern Oregon Community College has been a life-changer for our children. They have received the skills they needed to catapult themselves to the university level. I recommend this program to everyone I talk to!

Trio has been the secret ingredient in my recipe for academic success. My Trio advisor has always encouraged my goals and provided expert guidance. Trio also recommended financial resources to fit my situation. I owe a lot to them!

I was born here in Coos Bay and have lived here for practically my whole life. I come from a Hispanic household. Although we are not extremely wealthy, we work hard to meet our goals. I have two loving parents that have supported me from the beginning. They are always making sure I accomplish and complete my life goals. I am pursuing an associates degree in Nursing and I’m hoping to make it into the nursing program next year. - Adolfo Rodriguez, Art and Toni Poole Scholarship

Everyone has been so welcoming, kind and helpful. It’s been amazing!

There aren’t many places where education and nature are so closely intertwined. Southwestern has both in spades.

OCCI was the key to so many doors!

I learned the true definitions of discipline, sacrifice and humility, and then put them into practice. I had the honor of not only representing my school but my country in the IKA Culinary Olympics in Eurfurt Germany. Without the umbrella of OCCI none of that would have ever been possible. Now I feel like no challenge is unreasonable and nothing is unattainable in the culinary field.