Mar 17, 2026 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Library, in partnership with the College’s Agroecology program, is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Seed Library! A free initiative designed to empower local residents to grow their own food and maintain thriving gardens.
Located in the SWOCC Library on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, second floor of Tioga Hall, the Seed Library offers a diverse selection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, many of which are specifically suited to our unique coastal growing conditions, making it easy for anyone to start or expand their home gardens.
The Seed Library aims to support food security and biodiversity, foster community connections, and provide educational opportunities in gardening and seed-saving, all while inspiring a deeper appreciation for gardening and nature along the beautiful Oregon coast.
How It Works
Like borrowing books, patrons can “check out” seeds from the library’s collection for free. Visitors may select up to five seed packets per visit.
- Borrow: Choose from a diverse selection of seeds.
- Grow: Plant, nurture, and enjoy your harvest.
- Return (optional but encouraged): Save seeds from your plants and return them to the library to help sustain the collection for future seasons. Donations of unopened or resealed commercial seed packets are also welcome.
Educational Resources
We are here to help you grow! The SWOCC Library supports gardeners of all levels with a wide selection of books on gardening, seed saving, and agriculture. Our Agroecology program offers hands-on classes such as Gardening the South Coast, Applied Plant Biology, and Soil Science. In the future, the library plans to offer free workshops on seed saving and germination.
Get Involved
Visit the SWOCC Library to explore the seed collection and join the effort to grow a resilient, connected, and sustainable South Coast. Everyone can play a role in developing local gardens and strengthening our community food system.
For more information on the SWOCC Library visit: https://www.socc.edu/resources/library/.
Mar 16, 2026 | Alumni, Community, News
Dayna Cahill, Director of Teaching and Learning for North Bend School District
After graduating from North Bend High School, Dayna Cahill didn’t plan on staying in the community where she grew up. She went straight to work in construction. College wasn’t on her radar, until someone suggested she might be a great teacher. That single comment started her down a completely different path.
She enrolled at SWOCC, where she earned her transfer degree. For Dayna, it was the ideal place to start.
“SWOCC allowed me to grow up,” she said. “It was the perfect landing zone while I was working, living locally, and looking to further educate myself.”
Dayna later went on to complete her bachelor’s degree through a local satellite program. But it was her time at SWOCC that helped her build the confidence and direction she needed.
“I honestly believe my trajectory would have changed significantly had I not opted to go to SWOCC,” she said. “SWOCC gave me a plan. That plan is what gave me my life.”
Today, Dayna serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning for North Bend School District, leading efforts that shape classrooms and impact hundreds of students each year. Her career spanned roles as a substitute, educational assistant, teacher, reading specialist, and even leading as a principal.
One of her proudest moments was returning to teach at North Bay Elementary, the same school she attended as a kid.
“I never thought I would stay in the same community I had grown up in,” she said. “But one of the greatest honors of my life was returning to that school as a teacher. I have a deep sense of pride coming full circle and giving back to the district that raised me.”
Throughout her journey, Dayna leaned on local scholarships and community support to make college work. She encourages others to do the same.
“Money was tight during college. I worked part-time and lived with roommates,” she said. “But there are local organizations with scholarships that can really help. You just have to look.”
Now, she and her husband Chris are raising their own family in North Bend, where they remain deeply invested in the community.
“Our community and SWOCC both have so much to offer,” she said. “If you live here and are looking for connection or opportunity, start with your local community college. You don’t have to go anywhere else to get a fantastic education or live a fantastic life.”
Mar 12, 2026 | Community, OCCI News
Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) will host a pizza pop-up sale (plus more) on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
OCCI culinary students will be serving up some piping-hot pizza pies in honor of Pi Day! Even though we won’t be on campus on actual Pi Day, we still had to celebrate it a day early. Our baking & pastry students will also have macarons and croissants available for purchase.
All proceeds from sales go to support the student Culinary Team travel fund.
Stop by, grab lunch, and support student chefs!
WHAT: Pizza Pop-Up Sale (plus macarons and croissants)
WHERE: OCCI (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay)
WHEN: Friday, March 13, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mar 10, 2026 | Alumni, Community, News
For Coos County native Nathan Midyette’s connection to SWOCC largely started through dual credit courses at North Bend High School, where he earned an associate’s degree from SWOCC at the same time he graduated high school. As part of his education, he was able to complete a senior-year SWOCC internship at 7 Devils Brewery that introduced him to fermentation science.
With his Oregon Transfer degree from SWOCC, Nathan entered the University of Oregon well-prepared to pursue chemistry. With his degree and previous internship under his belt, he did two internships at King Estate Winery during college.
Today, Nathan works as a lab technician at King Estate Winery. “I really love this job as it is the perfect blend of art and science.” Nathan said, “No two years are the same, and you are constantly learning from each individual vintage.” Driven by a passion for the wine industry, he is dedicated to ongoing learning and development.
Mar 6, 2026 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) invites students in grades 6 –12 to participate in SWOCC’s STEAM Breakout, a one-day Spring Break event taking place March 26, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on SWOCC’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
Students will spend the day exploring with hands-on activities and demonstrations across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) while learning directly from instructors and participating in interactive experiments and projects. Activities will include projects related to chemistry, engineering, physics, art, nursing, and more!
The registration fee is $25, with scholarships available. Space is limited to 20 students, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes March 19, 2026.
To register, contact Cassie Coyner, SWOCC STEAM Pathways Coordinator, at
cassie.coyner@socc.edu or call 541-888-7416.
Feb 27, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, March 12, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 pm for the next installment in our Speaker Series: Salmon Habitat Restoration.
This talk is a presentation by the Curry Watershed Partnership, which is actively involved in salmon habitat restoration efforts, particularly focusing on the recovery of coho populations. They have been instrumental in hundreds of projects aimed at enhancing salmon habitat and improving fish passage in Southern Oregon coastal watersheds.
Fish and wildlife populations depend upon healthy ecosystems for their survival and have evolved over millennia in response to a full range of watershed changes. Human communities have impacts on these ecosystems and have a responsibility to help restore balance to the watershed processes and functions.
The Curry Watershed Partnership is a group of non-regulatory organizations working together to help local landowners and communities keep our shared lands and rivers healthy and sustainable. The Partnership includes the Curry Soil and Water Conservation District, the South Coast and Lower Rogue Watershed Councils, and the Curry Watersheds Nonprofit.
Guest Speakers include Kelly Timchak, Robbie Lascheck, and Liesl Coleman, who will share the Partnership’s work on restoration and education efforts in Curry County.
Kelly Timchak always knew she wanted to work in creeks and rivers. She previously worked for the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Science in Fisheries from the University of New Brunswick. Kelly focuses on developing and maintaining landowner relations to assess and restore upland habitats, instream fish habitats, estuaries, and riparian health. She is the Lower Rogue Watershed Coordinator.
Robbie Lascheck has a passion for mountain lakes and crystal-clear rivers. He received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon and a Master of Environmental Management from Portland State University. His skill set includes partner coordination, natural resource monitoring, data analysis, and GIS. He is the South Coast Watershed Council Coordinator.
Liesl Coleman has loved the natural world since she can remember. She has worked for the Curry County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) since 2004 and has served as the District Manager since 2009. Under the direction of the Curry SWCD board of directors, Liesl works primarily behind the scenes, supervising all staff, overseeing legal and fiscal functions and activities, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements and board-approved policies, and serving with Kelly Timchak and Robbie Lascheck on the Partnership’s Leadership Team to coordinate program direction.
Please join us to find out how to not only support the work of the Curry Watershed Partnership, but how to become a watershed steward yourself. It will take many more of us to maintain the health and function of our shared lands and waters, now and into the future.
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.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
