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Community Impact Program (CIP)

May 22, 2025 | News

Image of woman wearing a virtual reality headset standing outside under a blue sky with clouds. Text reads "Community Impact Program for First Year students - Build a VR Escape Room!"

A New Way to Take Your First-Year Classes

Sign up for the new Community Impact Program (CIP) courses and help build a Virtual Reality escape room while earning credit in required courses!

Want to start your first year at Southwestern doing something hands-on, creative, and useful? The new Community Impact Program (CIP) might be for you!

What is it?

CIP is a program of Innovation and Leadership Labs during Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms for first-year students planning to take courses at our Coos Campus in Coos Bay, OR. It blends core college classes with a real-world project. Instead of sitting through unrelated lectures, your classes connect to a shared project that develops throughout the year. You’ll join a team of students from different majors to take on a meaningful challenge.

This year’s project? Designing and building a Virtual Reality escape room for the local STEAM academy.

Why do it?

You’ll gain practical workplace skills (communication, leadership, and problem-solving) while earning credits in classes like Writing and Communication tied directly to your project. Think: fewer papers just for the grade, and more work that gets used.

What else is in it for you?

You’ll also get support from faculty coaches and mentors, plus a chance to showcase your work and build a digital portfolio. It’s a fun, collaborative way to learn that has the potential to look great on a resume.

Interested?

GREAT! There are limited spots available, reach out to Bob Heath, Southwestern Director of CELT and ask about the “Community Impact Program” or CIP for Fall Term 2025-26: