May 19, 2025 | Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes summer 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.
GED® and Adult Basic Education classes summer term:
- Monday through Thursday, 1pm-3pm
All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) and in person on the Curry Campus (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings).
For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes will also be offered via Zoom.
Summer term starts June 23, 2025 and ends August 14, 2025. 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.
May 16, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
Photo by Gretchen Kay Stuart
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (New Time!) for: Sea Otters: Once More on Our Shores?
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.
Join Kyle Motley, Coastal Community Coordinator with the Elakha Alliance, for an in-depth exploration of sea otters, their ecological role, and their historical significance along the Oregon Coast. Kyle will share the fascinating history of these iconic marine mammals, discuss the vital ecological functions they serve in coastal ecosystems, and outline the considerations involved in their potential reintroduction to Oregon. This presentation highlights the intersection of science, culture, and community in restoring balance to our coastal waters.
Kyle has an extensive background working with endangered species, threatened ecosystems, stakeholder engagement, and watershed restoration projects on private and public lands. He received his Master of Science degree in natural resources from the University of Vermont, where he focused on forest ecology. He has worked on monitoring, restoration, and forestry projects with the United States Forest Service, the National Park Service, and several local government agencies around the country. Since moving to the south coast six years ago, Kyle has worked with local non-profit groups to successfully implement habitat restoration projects focused on coho salmon and oak woodlands. He is excited to be able to use his stakeholder engagement and community outreach skills for the Elakha Alliance.
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.
May 9, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025, at noon in Prosper Hall on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Southwestern is proud of the 2025 graduates! This year the College is pleased to honor a total of 412 graduates, from 21 states and 13 countries.
Degrees being awarded are:
143 Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer
110 Associate of Applied Science
50 Associate of General Studies
41 Associate of Science
5 Associate of Science Transfer
127 Certificates of Completion (one year)
Southwestern also congratulates seven local high school students who have completed their associate degrees in a dual enrollment program in partnership with their individual high schools.
Guest attendance at the ceremony is by ticket only. The celebration can be viewed live via the College’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@SouthwesternOR.
Additional information for graduates and their families can be found on the Graduation webpage located at https://www.socc.edu/graduation.
May 5, 2025 | Curry Campus, Curry News, News, OCCI News
Summer Term 2025-26 is quickly approaching, and Fall Term will be here before we know it!
- SUMMER TERM: Classes start Monday, June 23, 2025
- FALL TERM: Classes start Monday, Sept. 15, 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).
SUMMER TERM: Credit classes begin Monday, June 23, 2025. Registration for credit classes is available May 5, 2025 – June 25, 2025 (Starting June 26, 2025, you will first need instructor consent before registering for a class).
FALL TERM: Credit classes begin Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. Registration is available May 5, 2025 – Sept. 17, 2025 (Starting Sept. 18, you will first need instructor consent before registering 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 appropriate term drop down. **Be sure you filter for credit classes (NOT community education classes)**
REGISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY CLASSES (COMMUNITY EDUCATION):
Summer Term 2025-26 community education class registration opens Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 a.m. To register, follow the instructions on the top of the community class page. Classes offered for the term will post on the page prior to registration opening.
Stay tuned! Information about Fall Term 2025-26 community education class registration will become available later this summer.
As a reminder, all academic term dates and other important milestones may be found on the Academic Calendar. Click on the “2025-26 Academic Calendar” button for a .pdf version, or click on the “categories” button and filter for “instructional calendar” to view the online version.
May 1, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Join the Southwestern Oregon Community College Swim Team for SWIM CAMP! Whether you’re just learning to swim or looking to sharpen your technique, this event is open to all skill levels. Join SWOCC’s talented swim team and experienced coaches for a day of expert instruction and fun at the North Bend Municipal Pool (2455 Pacific Street, North Bend) on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
All Level Camp – For all skill levels, ages 3 to 18 years old. Parents of small children are encouraged to stay and participate.
Three sessions available:
[1] 8:30am-9:15am
[2] 9:45am-10:30am
[3] 11:00am-11:45am
Pricing: $25 per attendee, per session
To register: https://swoccathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=27
Competitive Swimmer Camp – Training for competitive swimmers ages 9 to 18 years old.
Two sessions available:
[1] 8:15am-9:30am – starts and turns clinic
[2] 10:15am-11:30am – stroke technique/filming
Pricing: Advanced swimmers may pick one session for $25, or attend both sessions for $50 without the video package. The underwater swimming and data analysis package price includes the 2nd session at 10:15am-11:30am for $75, plus $25 for each additional stroke you would like to have filmed/analyzed; $150 for all four strokes.
To register: https://swoccathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=20
What to Bring: Swimsuit, Towel, Swim Goggles (preferred), hair must be tied up or use a swim cap if you have long hair.
Payment by cash or checks only, made payable to SWOCC Swimming. Customizable camp t-shirts will be available to design as well as SWOCC swimming swag for purchase during the camp.
For more information please contact Sandra Bullock, Head Swim Coach at Southwestern at 541-297-2158 or sandra.bullock@socc.edu.
Apr 30, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 6:00 pm, for “The Science & Art of Making Beer, Wine, & Rum” with Annie Pollard and Carmen Matthews of 7 Devils Brewery, Richard Stillwagon of Stillwagon Distillery, and Veronica Viramontes with Gallo Winery. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Lecture:
This lecture series event features a panel discussion focusing on the chemistry challenges and processes involved in the arts of brewing, distilling, and winemaking. Each of our guests has followed a unique path to their respective challenge in beverage science and are eager to share their lessons learned with the community.
About the Presenters:
Annie Pollard, Brewer/Artist/Marine Biologist, is fueled by a desire to combine all of her loves — sustainability, science, art, and community. As co-owner and CEO of 7 Devils, she opened the Coos Bay brewery in 2013. Before taking on the role of entrepreneur, Annie earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in science from the University of Oregon. She began studying biology and later honed in on marine bird nesting ecology. Between rehabbing endangered songbirds in Hawaii and researching Antarctic penguins, Annie picked up home-brewing as a hobby straight out of her Eugene apartment — an interest that brought her and 7 Devils co-owner Carmen Matthews together. Their passion for not only conserving and restoring the coast but celebrating it led the pair to open 7 Devils Brewery as a gathering place for the Coos Bay community.
Carmen Matthews, co-owner and head brewer of the 7 Devils Brewing Co., began his tenure in the beverage industry as a barista for locally owned Dutch Bros. Coffee. Trading in caffeination for fermentation, Carmen developed a passion for the art of craft brewing and all things pub culture. Carmen and his wife/co-owner, Annie Pollard had a common interest in home brewing when they first met, and began crafting recipes together. Their shared love of beer and community culminated in the duo opening the 7 Devils Brewery and Tap Room in their home base of Coos Bay, OR. Carmen grew up on the coast in a surf-loving family of artists. His deep love and respect for the coast and its inhabitants inspired the ethos behind 7 Devils; peace, love, music, and beer.
Richard Stillwagon is an artist, maker, and tinkerer. Self-educated in all professional pursuits, his formal education includes about two years of community college. Richard’s professional history includes: cabinet, furniture, yacht fixtures, light metal fabrication, greenhouse construction, aqua culture and aquaponics, martial arts instructor, distillation of spirits, and most recently opening an arts and trades school. Personal pursuits are art, history, tinkering, upcycling of industrial byproducts, water issues, and gardening.
Veronica Viramontes was born and raised in the Central Valley. Her family has been growing grapes in the Lodi area for 40 years. After growing up in the wine industry, she decided to make a career of it and enrolled at California State University, Fresno, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in enology. She says she is living her dream where she is a winemaker at Gallo, the largest winery in the world.
For more information about the lecture series contact Derek Morrelli, Assistant Professor, Chemistry at derek.morrelli@socc.edu or 541-888-1507.
For more information on upcoming lectures contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
