Dec 22, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for a presentation by Rick Serman, Retired Superintendent of the Redwood National and State Parks: Stories of the Redwood Parks.
Rick Sermon worked more than fifty years among the forests and redwood parks along the California coast and has stories about the majestic giants that you will not want to miss. Rick will present the natural history of the redwoods and the cultural history going back to the gathering at the Bohemian Grove in 1917 that was instrumental in saving the redwoods.
Only 5% of the old growth redwoods still exists. Rick will tell us about how these remaining trees were saved and discuss their 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. Talks during winter term will focus on the nature all around us. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Dec 18, 2025 | Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is proud to announce the successful approval of its Dual Credit programming by the Oversight Committee for High School Based College Credit Partnerships. This approval, granted on October 20, 2025, follows a comprehensive self-study and peer review process and is valid through 2032.
The committee’s decision affirms the strength, quality, and impact of SWOCC’s partnerships with regional high schools, as well as the college’s commitment to expanding access to higher education for students across its service area. Special recognition is extended to Forrest Akers for his leadership and dedication to the success of the Dual Credit program.
“Forrest Akers’ exceptional leadership in our Dual Credit program is deeply valued by the College. His work strengthens SWOCC’s role as a statewide model and positively impacts our students and community,” said Rachele Lyon, Vice President of Administrative Services at Southwestern.
Peer reviewers highlighted SWOCC’s exceptional practices and student-centered approach, noting that:
“The college demonstrates exceptional practices that support students and foster a sense of belonging within the educational community.”
“SWOCC provides clear and comprehensive evidence of its efforts and excels at keeping high school faculty well-informed and actively engaged.”
As part of the review, SWOCC received a perfect score of 5, the highest possible rating, on 12 of the 28 evaluated standards. Fifteen additional standards were scored between 4 and 5, with only one standard receiving a score below 4. Overall, SWOCC achieved one of the highest ratings in the state, reflecting a strong alignment with best practices and a clear focus on student access and success.
“This approval affirms the academic quality and integrity of SWOCC’s Dual Credit program,” said Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern. “By closely aligning high school instruction with college-level curriculum and supporting teachers through faculty mentorship, we ensure students receive a rigorous, meaningful experience that prepares them for continued success in higher education.”
SWOCC’s Dual Credit Program plays a critical role in removing barriers to higher education by offering college-level courses directly within local high schools. These courses are taught by high school teachers who are mentored and supported by SWOCC faculty, ensuring academic quality while maintaining a familiar and supportive learning environment for students.
Unlike many dual credit programs statewide, SWOCC does not charge school districts or students for participation. This no-cost model significantly expands access to college coursework, allowing students to earn transferable college credits without incurring tuition expenses. Courses offered include Writing, English Literature, Mathematics, History, General Biology, Allied Health, and more.
Through this program, students can complete general education requirements at no cost and carry their earned credits forward – whether they continue at SWOCC or transfer to a four-year university. By reducing financial barriers, supporting instructional quality, and fostering early college success, SWOCC’s Dual Credit Program directly addresses access to education and creates meaningful pathways to postsecondary achievement.
“Dual credit classes allow students to earn real college credit while still in high school, all in a supportive and familiar setting,” said Forrest Akers. “Because SWOCC does not charge students for these courses, we are helping them save money, build confidence, and take a strong first step toward their college and career goals.”
SWOCC remains committed to strengthening educational access, equity, and opportunity for students throughout the region and is proud of the continued success of its Dual Credit partnerships.
For more information about Southwestern’s Dual Credit program, call 541-888-7185, email collegenow@socc.edu, or visit www.socc.edu/get-started/admissions/high-school-partnerships.
Dec 17, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, Curry News, Foundation, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – Students planning to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College during the 2026–27 academic year can begin applying for Southwestern Foundation scholarships starting January 1, 2026.
Thanks to the generosity of donors across our communities, the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships annually, helping students pursue education, training, and career pathways at Southwestern.
The scholarship application period runs from January 1 – March 1, 2026. All students considering enrollment for the 2026–27 academic year are encouraged to apply, including both full-time and part-time students. Applications submitted by February 1, 2026, will be eligible for a $1,000 “Early Bird” Scholarship.
To learn more and apply, visit www.socc.edu/scholarships.
The Foundation and Financial Aid Office will host a series of drop-in Scholarship and FAFSA workshops to provide additional help and everyone is welcome to swing by:
Coos Campus (Coos Bay) – Tioga #301
- Wednesday, January 21 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 9 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
- Friday, February 13 | 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 25 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Curry Campus (Brookings) – Room #232
- Wednesday, February 4 | 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Have additional questions about Southwestern Foundation Scholarships? Email foundation@socc.edu or call 541-888-7209.
Dec 3, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, Curry News, News
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. for: Christmas Traditions Around the World.
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!
The theme of the December lecture at Curry Campus is “Christmas Traditions Around the World.” This is a two-part program. A group of women of Danish heritage will display a variety of Danish-based Christmas decorations and food. “Danes are in love with Jul” says Karen Morton, one of the presenters.
For the second part, Marilyn Hart will bring photos of her recent trip to the “Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light” display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. This display, which takes place annually in November, is a must see of 50+ countries displaying the art of each country on a tree. As one participant said, “It delights the senses with its sheer beauty, but also enriches the spirit by fostering a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.”
The museum’s holiday exhibit is a beloved tradition dating back to 1942, during the height of World War II. It began humbly, with a single Christmas tree dedicated to the war allies, adorned with ornaments made by local children.
Examples of trees include an Irish tree with ornaments made of lace, or traditional Celtic knots, small cottages, sheep, shamrocks, and miniature St. Brigid’s crosses.
The tree from Mexico is a burst of vibrant colors with perforated paper banners, elaborate straw stars, figures of angels and the Virgin Mary, and perhaps even some piñata-inspired ornaments.
Hart will also present some traditions and foods from her Polish and Slovakian heritage.
Christmas is a favorite time of year for Hart, and each trip has been a learning experience, that is, learning about ethnic Christmas traditions, food, art and architecture. Hart’s travel includes seven trips to London as well as travel to all 50 states.
Hart is a Professor Emeritus of University of Wisconsin and teaches Statistics at Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Curry Campus.
All attendees will be encouraged to share their holiday traditions.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in the Friends of Curry Campus speaker series. Winter Term lectures will feature coastal ecology and conservation. Watch for these lectures in the community education publication form the college coming to you soon in your mailbox. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Dec 1, 2025 | Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes winter term 2026. 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 have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:
- Morning GED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
- Afternoon GED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
- Evening GED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm
All classes are live and in-person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class is offered live and in-person on the Curry Campus in Brookings, OR.
For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Winter term starts January 5 and ends March 19, 2026.
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.
Nov 6, 2025 | Curry Campus
The South Coast Writers Conference brings together a collection of writers from the Northwest to share, explore, and celebrate the many facets of writing. The conference, held on Presidents’ Day weekend February 13 and 14, provides an opportunity for an extended stay to write and to explore the splendor of the southern Oregon Coast.
The conference is an eclectic gathering of writers of various genres including novice and published authors. The goal of this conference is to highlight local writers and inspire new writers while connecting them to local resources. The conference features some of the Northwest’s best writers to guide participants in an exploration of many writing genres.
This year features workshop presenters across genres from poetry to graphic novels. On Friday, you can choose from three all-day workshops, running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for $80. On Saturday, four 90-minute workshop sessions are offered between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with multiple options available in each session, for $85. The price for both days is $165. Authors’ night features the keynote speaker at 7:00pm on Friday, February 13, and is free and open to the public.
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 5!
The cost of the conference will be as follows:
$165 for both days
$85 for Saturday only
$80 for Friday only
After February 1:
$175 for both days
$95 for Saturday only
$90 for Friday only
Schedule Overview
Friday, February 13, 2026
Check-in
Writing Workshops – Three options
Authors’ Night with Miriam Gershow
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Check-in
Welcome and Introductions
Breakout Session 1 – Four options
Breakout Session 2 – Four options
Lunch
Breakout Session 3 – Four options
Breakout Session 4 – Four options
Closing Activities
A complete agenda and biographies of presenters found HERE.
Please email us at scwc@socc.edu to be put on the email list for updates about the conference.
