Mar 24, 2026 | News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s (SWOCC) Hall of Fame honors former athletes, teams, coaches, and those that have had a large impact on the school and its athletic programs. Two teams covering a wide range of Laker history will make up the Southwestern Oregon Community College Hall of Fame’s class of 2026.
This year’s inductees are the first Women’s Wrestling National Champion, Kendra Nelson, and the first official Women’s Wrestling Team from the 2011–2012 season, coached by Bo Icalia and assisted by Gilbert Perez.
Team members included Alejandra Paez, Biri Mendoza, Caroline (Crawford) Parent, Hannah (Moon) Narguis, Joelle Wheeler, Katy (Dawson) Nokes, Liezl Mondoc, Shay Way, Sarah Kimble-Moore, and Hannah Francis.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Prosper Hall on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 3:00pm following the annual sports awards.
There is no fee to attend this event. A reception will follow at Gino’s Pizza, located at 1324 Virginia Ave., North Bend. For questions or to RSVP to this event, please email HOF@socc.edu.
To learn more about Southwestern’s athletic programs visit: https://swoccathletics.com/.
Mar 18, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Presented by Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) and SWOCC STEAM Pathways
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00 pm, to attend “Blast Off into STEM!”, a free science fair featuring judges from the community and the College. All ages are welcome to view the projects. Student participation is limited to students from grades 4 – 12 within Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.
The fair will be held in the Lakeview Meeting Rooms located in the Hales Center for the Performing Arts/Empire Hall on Southwestern’s Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay, Oregon.
Student participants can register for the science fair HERE.
[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftt4J9s1aln0Wi4Q-QGqtbvrmoo5rljLOg4PfZg2I05g_n2Q/viewform]
About the Science Fair:
This is the first year of an exciting community event that celebrates curiosity, hands-on learning, and student innovation. This year’s science fair will feature projects from students across Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, including Benton, Coos, Curry, northern Douglas, Lane, and Lincoln counties. Students in grades 4 – 12 will present projects exploring scientific concepts in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, engineering, and technology.
Student Participants are encouraged to investigate real-world questions, conduct experiments, explore their curiosity and creativity over several weeks leading up to the showcase.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- View interactive exhibits and student demonstrations
- Speak with young scientists about their work
- Celebrate award winners in each grade category
- Engage in hands-on STEM activities provided by teachers and community partners
Attendance at the science fair is open to families, community members, and organizations interested in supporting STEM education and student achievement.
All student participants may receive certificates recognizing their creativity and effort. Additional awards may be provided through in-kind donations such as educational materials, gift cards, or event supplies. Monetary donations cannot be accepted. Those interested in contributing may contact sabrina.pingree@email.socc.edu by May 2, 2026.
For more information contact the event organizers: Cassie Coyner, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or cassie.coyner@socc.edu, and Sabrina Pingree, OSGC Student Ambassador at sabrina.pingree@email.socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
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 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.
