Jan 12, 2024 | Community, News, OCCI News, Staff & Administration
Enter the captivating world of competitive ice carving through “From Oregon to Alaska: An ice sculpting odyssey” an Oregon Field Guide exclusive short film profiling Chef Chris Foltz, Chef Instructor here at Southwestern’s Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.
The episode, which aired on Oregon Public Broadcasting on December 7, 2023, showcases Chef Foltz’s artistry, dedication, and passion for the craft. We get a behind the scenes look at this world-famous competition and watch the joy and excitement of the student carvers creating their unique pieces as well.
Regarding the competition, Chef Foltz says, “Alaska, it’s so far away. It costs a lot to get there, it’s an immense amount of work, and then when you get there, all of your work is going to melt away. But as a professional artist, it’s the one place that I get to go and do whatever I want to do.”
Stay tuned for updates as Chef Foltz and a new crop of student carvers prepares for this year’s World Ice Art Championship “Ice Alaska” in February.
Apr 3, 2023 | Community, News, Staff & Administration
Instructor Paul Casler works with an EMT student
“If you are a person who likes routine, this job is NOT for you.” That’s advice from Southwestern’s Paul Casler, who trains students for jobs as paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Likewise, if you like action and saving lives, this job is for you.
There is a variety of opportunities for EMTs and paramedics. With certification you can find employment in doctor’s offices, emergency rooms, medical clinics, fire departments, and more. No experience is required to enroll in the program, just a desire to help people in crisis.
And, you will get to learn with Casler. He spent 15 years as a paramedic in Denver. Then one day he realized his best days on the job involved working with students. He was ready for a change and decided to pursue his love of teaching. Impressed by Southwestern’s support and commitment to the EMS program, Casler joined the faculty last fall.
“I believe in the community college model for entering the profession. Getting that degree is crucial,” he said.
There is a lot of interest in emergency medical careers after the recent emergency when football player Damar Hamlin collapsed on an NFL field is causing a buzz around the profession. Casler is hoping it inspires people to consider this career pathway and to come to Southwestern. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 9% increase in the job market for EMTs and paramedics over the next several years.
“If you have a certification, you will have a job!” Casler said. “There’s a huge need in this community.”
To learn more about EMS degrees at Southwestern visit: www.socc.edu/ems.
To learn more about all our programs text or call 541-240-8227; email: SWOCCbound@socc.edu.
Mar 10, 2023 | Staff & Administration, Student Success
Dear Campus Community,
Southwestern is Oregon’s most remote community college. Most of us may not think about the implications of that. For people who want to go to college, we are the only local option.
To learn elsewhere, residents of the college district must travel over a mountain range or go online. Often, it is more expensive. Many students want the “people connection”, and 50% of our students who enroll in CTE programs need access to labs and equipment, usually requiring time on either campus.
Yesterday, I and seven other community college presidents testified before a legislative higher education committee. One after another, we talked about our students, the challenges they face and the groundbreaking work community colleges do. We did not talk about community college funding, but it was the unspoken topic in the room as the Legislature works on the state’s budget. Here is the link if you want to watch it. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/mediaplayer/?clientID=4879615486&eventID=2023031097
Oregon funds 38% of our budget through reimbursement on a three-year lookback of FTE enrollment. Local property taxes provide 32% of the college’s revenue. Tuition and fees cover 27%. The other 3% is miscellaneous funding.
When the governor and lawmakers let community college funding stagnate, our costs still go up. Property tax increases are capped at 3% annually, so in times of high inflation colleges are left with few options to balance revenue with escalating expenses. The options then become increasing tuition and fees, and cutting expenses. We can’t raise tuition and fees enough to make up for what we need.
Budgeting at the end of a biennium is an analytical guessing game. As the college works on the budget now through April, it’s unlikely the state will finish its work until June. We don’t know at what level the state will fund colleges. We do know, though, the next two years of funding probably will not cover projected costs for current operations.
Changing Demographics
In this region, the population is shifting rapidly. There are fewer younger people and many more retirees. Enrollment at Oregon’s colleges is projected to decrease through 2029. Rural colleges are hardest-hit. Yet, colleges are expected to provide more services to help students persist, overcome and complete.
If you have taken an economics class, you know there is a point as enrollment decreases, it becomes more expensive per student to operate. Every day we work on the operational challenges of maintaining buildings and grounds. We try to hire and inspire staff in a competitive, worker-shortage era.
Yesterday in the legislative hearing, I put my budget worries aside and focused on the work we do that inspires. I talked with lawmakers about how Southwestern has transformed developmental education and become a leader in the state for student success.
When I started here at SWOCC 30 years ago as a faculty member, a student might have taken 37 credits of developmental reading, writing and math before ever taking a class on their pathway to a degree or career. Most students gave up. National data shows that only 23% completed degrees or certificates if they start in a developmental class for credit.
In the early 2000s, we set out to change that. Southwestern became a pioneer in the Guided Pathways movement. We joined with Achieving the Dream in 2012. This led us down a path to improve developmental reading, writing and math curriculum. Today, the college is a leader in student completion.
Achievement
Students on our campuses at that time took a placement test where 50% needed basic help in reading and writing. 80% of our students needed a developmental math refresh. Not sure how those statistics have changed over the years. What has changed is how the college teaches those students.
Starting in 2011, we began conversations with faculty to improve the pathway to completion. We began by re-engineering classes and linking students with the math they need based on their pathways in STEM or non-STEM. We eliminated many developmental classes by improving curriculum or creating “co-requisite” classes.
After 12 years, our data shows success. Southwestern’s students reach their degrees 1 year sooner than all the other students at Oregon’s other community colleges. The four-year completion transfer rate is 65%, which 14% points higher than the other community colleges. Eleven percent of our students are LatinX. Their completion success at 67% is higher than any other group at this college, and 21 percentage points higher than any other college in Oregon. These are amazing outcomes and it has gotten the attention of lawmakers and others around the state.
Every time I drive home after spending time with the other college presidents, I am so happy to be at SWOCC. We have an awesome college with awesome faculty and staff. I am so proud to be your leader. Sure, we have some challenges to sort through so let’s remember that we are a team of people who might have some different opinions on how we move forward to reach our strategic priorities. But let’s try to be mindful that it takes all of us to work together to improve student success.
Have a great weekend,
Patty
Patricia M. Scott, Ed.D.
President
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Mar 2, 2023 | Community, Curry Campus, News, Staff & Administration
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Physics and Engineering Department is pleased to present Access Granted: Science Education and Research Achievements while Overcoming Limitations, a discussion of scientific access for students facing health and educational challenges and limitations. The lecture will take place on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 6:30pm in the Umpqua Hall 184 lecture room on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
Our presentation is timed to coincide with March being National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and will feature a presentation from our own Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering at Southwestern. Dr. Coyner will be showcasing achievements and discoveries by notable scientists like Stephen Hawking and Annie Jump Cannon, among others, while discussing changes that can be made to increase the accessibility of scientific opportunities.
The talk will be streamed live for those who cannot come to campus. Access the live stream via our website (www.socc.edu) or at this link:
https://livestream.com/swocc/physicsandastronomy2022-23.
For students and community members in Curry County (and beyond) a Zoom link will be available so that you may participate in both the lecture and Q and A following the talk. For zoom participation information contact Dr. Aaron Coyner at aaron.coyner@socc.edu.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor of Physics, at 541-888-7244, aaron.coyner@socc.edu.
To learn more about physics and engineering degrees at Southwestern visit https://www.socc.edu/physics/.
Sep 19, 2019 | Staff & Administration
Southwestern employs more than 400 people in all kinds of jobs. Some people are just starting their careers here. Others have enjoyed working at Southwestern for many years, including Robin Bunnell, who is celebrating her 30th year.
“I love working at the college and with students. You can walk around our campuses and feel very welcome. Everyone genuinely cares about our students and each other,” Robin said.
Having a positive impact
Robin started 30 years ago as a financial aid secretary. Today, she leads our team in data collection and research. She also teaches part-time.
“It’s wonderful when I see the students I’ve worked with or taught over the years, and they are successful,” she said.
She sees them working as nurses in medical clinics and at the hospital. She sees them in professional jobs as accountants, or owning their own businesses. Some of her former students even work at the college.
“Our college has great benefits and competitive pay on the south coast. It’s easy to make a lifelong career here, with the many opportunities for advancement and exploring different jobs,” she said.
Opportunities to learn and grow
And, Southwestern supports employees pursuing education for themselves and family members. Robin went on to earn her MBA through the college’s University Center, while continuing to live and work here. With Southwestern tuition waivers, her children were able to take dual credit and career technical classes that helped them advance to a university and into a high-skill job locally.
Our campuses in Coos Bay and Brookings are a draw, too. Both campuses are beautiful, with one overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and the other beside lakes and forest. You can get outside to exercise and take fun classes.
Want to know more about working at Southwestern? Reach out to our Human Resources staff or talk to an employee.
