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Community Education

CONTACT US
Community Education and Workforce Development

Registration (Coos Campus): 541-888-7352
Registration (Curry Campus): 541-813-1667
Other General Inquiries: 541-888-7214
Email

Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)

Take Classes For Fun and Personal Growth!

Southwestern offers a wide range of life-long learning and personal exploration opportunities to enrich your life. We offer a variety of community education classes at our beautiful Coos and Curry campuses, and online as well. All of our Community Classes are noncredit, and taught by highly qualified individuals from our local communities.

Summer Term classes start Monday, June 22, 2026

REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER TERM CLASSES OPENS MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2026 AT 8:00 AM. 

To register for a class:

  1. You must have an active SWOCC Student ID number. If you have taken classes at Southwestern within the last year, you will have an active SWOCC Student ID number . 
  2. If you have NOT taken a class at Southwestern within the last year, complete the Community Education & Personal Enrichment application form. This will get you an active SWOCC Student ID number. Skip this step only if you have taken classes at Southwestern within the past year.
  3. When you have an active SWOCC Student ID number, call or email:

CONTACT US
Community Education and Workforce Development

Registration (Coos Campus): 541-888-7352
Registration (Curry Campus): 541-813-1667
Other General Inquiries: 541-888-7214
Email

Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)

Coos Campus

The Arts

ART 0146 65  SCRIBBLE ART & SKETCHBOOKS

Scribble Art takes its cues from our Pacific Northwest, where ferns unfurl with wild whimsey and streams squiggle their way through beneath forest canopy.

Scribble Art is part doodle, part dance, and 100% delightful mess-making! We explore patterns, playful marks, whirly spirals, and the kind of intuitive wisdom that sneaks in when you’re not trying to be perfect. Grab your magic on paper bags, junk mail, cardboard, newspapers, and yes, even real drawing paper.

Instructor: Shinan Barclay

Location: Eden 7

Cost: $70 plus $20 material fee

Day: Thur

Time: 5:30pm-7:20pm

 

ART 0148 65  PAINT THE BEACH – BEGINNING WATER AND COLOR

In “Paint the Beach”, students will use Scribble Art techniques, markers, and brushes to explore the magic of water, light, and nature’s patterns. This playful, hands-on class will let the water do the work. Students observe patterns — waves roll forward dark to light as the sky descends dark to light. Beginning students discover their artistic voice and create colorful unique beachscapes.

Instructor: Shinan Barclay

Location: Eden 7

Cost: $70 plus $20 material fee

Day: Tue

Time: 6:00pm-7:50pm

 

ART 0142 65  MASTER BEGINNING WHEEL THROWING

Achieve mastery of centering clay for wheel-thrown pottery; Learn best practices to create simple shapes; understand craftsmanship, various techniques and safe habits.

Instructor: Roberta Westerfield

Location: Eden 7

Cost: $105 plus $20 material fee

Day: Tue

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Fitness & Recreation

PE 0503 65  PILATES® EXERCISE

Pilates® is a body-conditioning routine that helps build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core, as well as improving coordination and balance.

Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck

Location: Rec Center 121

Cost: $77

Days: Tue, Thur

Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm

 

PE 0525 65  POUND FITNESS

Rock-Out while you Work-Out!! POUND is a full-body cardio session, combining light resistance strength training with constant simulated drumming. Through continual upper body motion using lightly weighted drumsticks, you’ll turn into a calorie-torching drummer! Rock, rap, dubstep, pop and old school music fuse to create the POUND track series. The POUND workout fuses cardio, isometric movements, plyometrics and isometric poses with pulse-racing, sweat-inducing drumming. Drum your way to a leaner, stronger physique – all while rocking out to your favorite music!

Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck

Location: Rec Center 121

Cost: $77

Day: Tue

Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm

 

PE 0505 01  TURBO KICK

Turbo Kick is a combination of intense kickboxing moves, as well as a unique blend of intense interval strength and endurance training all perfectly choreographed to high-energy and motivating music. Turbo Kick requires no previous kickboxing experience or equipment.  

Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck

Location: Rec Center 121

Cost: $77

Days: Mon, Wed

Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm

 

PE 0507 65  YOGA – BEGINNING

Restorative, therapeutic yoga for any level. Improve and maintain breath awareness as well as skeletal alignment, balance, strength and mobility. Releasing stress and tension. Somatic practice for health and quality of life. Please bring your personal mat.

Instructor: Linda Laverty

Location: Rec Center 125

Cost: $60

Day: Wed

Time: 1:00pm-2:15pm

 

Class Canceled – Sorry for any inconvenience.

Watch for this class coming back fall term.

PE 0244 65  LEARN TO PLAY DISC GOLF

This four-session course will teach participants basic skills for playing disc golf. Participants will each be provided with three discs to practice with and keep (included in the course registration fee), while being taught how to achieve the lowest scores possible for their ability.  The course will be led by Derek Tonn, a SWOCC employee and Ambassador with DGA Disc Golf in California (www.discgolf.com) since 2018.

Location: Soccer Field

Cost: $170 includes $70 fee for discs

Days: Sat 5/30, 6/6, 6/20

6/27 at Ferry Road Disc Golf Course in North Bend

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Special Interest

TA 0104 65  SAYING YES! THEATRE IMPROV – INTERMEDIATE

Join us in this fun, adventurous, and inspiring class where we create a safe space to explore improvisational theatre. Prior experience appreciated (Intro to Improv course or other improvisation classes or troupe involvement). Improv paves the way for limitless possibilities while providing expanded avenues for more courageous, spontaneous and creative moments in your life. Bring your curiosity, that spark of discomfort, a willingness to embrace the unexpected, and all your excitement and join in the fun! With improv there is no right or wrong, and no need to be anyone other than yourself. So, say YES, and . . . join us!

Instructor: Dan Silvius

Location: Umpqua 184

Cost: $89

Day: Tue

Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

 

DRIV 0620 65  AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE

This course offers you the opportunity to learn how to drive more efficiently and safely. The course contains up-to-date information about changes over time in ourselves, our vehicles, and our roads. The content of this course can help boost safety awareness, refresh and improve driving skills, minimize crash risk, increase confidence, prolong mobility, and maintain independence. Completion of this one-day driving refresher course can yield discounted auto insurance premiums for individuals. To pre-register call 503-594-4024.

Instructor: Nancy Brown

Location: Tioga 103

Day: Tue, July 21, 2026

Time: 9:15am-4:00pm

Cost: AARP members $20, non-members $25, check or cash is payable to AARP at the class.

Curry Campus

Instructions on how to register for an in-person Curry Campus community class are found at the top of this page (simply scroll up). Contact us at the Curry Campus directly with any questions at 541-813-1667 or Email.

Interested in teaching a class? These classes are taught by the community, for the community. We welcome new course ideas and enthusiastic instructors! Complete this form and we’ll be in touch.

The Arts

ART 0240 99  MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE BASICS

In this class you will learn the key components of creating a collage. Learn basic art principles, play with color, texture, layering, mark-making and the tools an artist needs to make a mixed media collage. You’ll be guided step by step through basic techniques making collage papers, stamping, stencils and gelli plate printing. Play and explore as you learn the joy of collage. At the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of collage papers and the confidence to keep creating. Bring these supplies to class: several large sheets of watercolor or mixed media paper, glue stick, and any found gadgets from around the house to make interesting marks and textures like bottle caps, forks, toilet paper rolls, leaves and found art, old book pages, magazines, or sheet music. Paint and mark making pens and pencils will be supplied.

Instructor: Mary Whitaker

Location: Curry Campus 138A/B

Cost: $95

Days: Mon, 6/22/26-7/20/26

Time: 1:00pm-3:50pm

Culinary

CRT 0810-99  HEALTHY CULINARY TREASURES FROM LAND AND SEA

Experience culinary treasures from land and sea with Chef Monica Almond. Chef Almond’s experience as a private chef and competitor in culinary and seafood competitions adds zest to her unique menu.

Students will prepare the following recipes combining American and South American cuisine.

• Causa de Langostinos – Grilled aji amarillo shrimp, yuyo (seaweed), leche de tigre acevichada “ceviche-style tiger’s milk”, avocado, and crispy shrimp

• Baby Spinach and Sea Buckthorn Bisque – Both have a beautiful purpose with omegas and vitamin C power. Heart protection and delicious!

• Pan Roasted Salmon with Seared Corn Sauce and Quinoa and Edamame Sacha Inchi patties (aka Inca peanut) – the highest nutrient density! Fresh corn makes a delicious sauce for any fish.

• Coconut Chia Fresca – Summertime needs natural hydration and electrolytes. This Agua fresca with an abundance of minerals is the perfect thirst quencher with a great energy boost.

• Lucuma Ice Cream – Lucuma’s toffee-like flavor is absolutely transcendent in ice cream so delicious that sometimes I make it à la carte and call it a day!

Chef Monica is a graduate of Southwestern’s Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) and received her culinary internship in Toledo, Spain, where she focused on the Mediterranean Diet approach for health and longevity.

Instructor: Chef Monica Almond

Location: Curry Campus 137A/B

Cost $149.00

Day: Wed 7/15/26

Time: 1:00-4:50pm

Fitness

PE 0502 99  BETTER BONES AND BALANCE®

Better Bones and Balance® is an exercise program that was developed and tested by researchers at Oregon State University. This program targets strength and balance through key exercises shown to reduce the risk of falls and fractures and is suitable for ambulatory individuals who are at beginner and intermediate exercise levels.

Instructor: Lisa Reed

Location: Langlois Lions Club

Cost: $89

Day: Mon, Fri

Time: 9:00am-10:20am

 

PE 0502 98  BETTER BONES AND BALANCE®

This section is for students that are new to the Better Bones and Balance® exercise program.

Instructor: Lisa Reed

Location: Langlois Lions Club

Cost: $45

Day: Mon

Time: 11:00am-12:00pm

 

PE 0570 99  LOW-IMPACT DANCE AEROBICS

This class uses easy-to-follow dance steps and rhythmic movements that are choreographed to upbeat music. It’s a fun way to get moving while improving your cardiovascular system, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and boosting your overall fitness level. This is a great class for active seniors no matter your level of fitness.

Instructor: Mary Whitaker

Location: Curry Campus 138A/B

Cost: $45

Days: Tue, Thur 6/23/26-7/30/26

Time: 8:30am-9:45am

 

PE 0504 99  TAI CHI

This course in Tai Chi is a gentle, relaxed, non-sweat, personal exercise (translated as the “Grand Ultimate”) for any age. The ‘Yang Form’ will be taught along with ‘Chi Gwa’ (circulating breath) and ‘Silk Cocoon Chen’ (fine intertwining energy). This course is noncompetitive and will start with the basics, and then individuals will progress at their own rate.

Instructor: Deane McConnell

Location: Curry Campus 137A/B

Cost: $63

Day: Tue

Time: 10:00am-11:20am

 

PE 0504 98  TAI CHI

Instructor: Deane McConnell

Location: Curry Campus 137A/B

Cost: $63

Day: Tue

Time: 5:30pm-6:50pm

Special Interest

HE 0591 99  MEDICARE 101

In this class students will learn about the four parts of Medicare: Medicare part A, B, C, and D. They will learn about the timelines surrounding Medicare enrollment and the policies. An in-depth presentation on Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplements will be provided. Students will leave the class with the tools to make informed decisions on what type of plan best fits their own, or a family member’s needs.

Instructor: Becky Holm

Location: Curry Campus 137A/B

Cost: Free

Day: Mon 8/3/26

Time: 2:00pm-3:20pm

 

HE 0201 99  MEDITATION

Quantum Reiki Meditation is an evolved holistic wellness technique developed by Aranka Fisher and open to all students. In class we will cover the etheric & physical body systems, breath, the soul, mind, consciousness, universal source, energy chakras, crystals and more. In class we will do a deep guided Quantum Reiki Meditation to help activate one’s pineal gland (third eye), connect to source, the soul, earth etc. to receive infinite source light energy and get deeply detoxed & enlightened while in a higher state of consciousness and awareness. Meditation techniques have been practiced for thousands of years globally and can help to release stress, fear, pain, improve sleep, relax the mind and whole body, evolve in consciousness and more. Bring your crystals to class. Dress comfy. We stand to do the meditation, but you can sit if needed. Come and have a magnificent experience.

Instructor: Aranka Fisher

Location: Curry Campus 138A/B

Cost: $75

Day: Thur

Time: 6:00pm-6:50pm

Writing

WR 0100 99  WRITING YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR

Memoir is the art of shaping one’s personal history into accessible prose. What makes this genre possible is the willingness to mine our most important human experiences in a way that’s astonishingly unique but also universal. In this course, we will encounter short selections from memoirs with an eye toward identifying how the authors mastered the art of storytelling. How did the writer translate lived experience into a piece of writing that is engaging while also personal? Most importantly, we will practice writing memoir, use prompts in class to generate new writing, and through the weekly class assignments we will generate one working piece of memoir for our portfolio. We will engage revision as process, since revision is one of our most prized writing tools.

Instructor: Coral Anderson

Location: Curry Campus 118

Cost: $90

Days: Wed 7/1/26 – 8/5/29

Time: 3:30pm-5:20pm

Teach A Class

Our vision at Southwestern is to lead and inspire lifelong learning. Do you have a skill, hobby or interest that you would like to share with others? Do you want to offer a course that is going to harness inspiration and give others an opportunity to learn? Does it support personal enrichment, enhance a life skill, or meet a need in our local workforce? Community Classes are taught by people in our community, for our community.

We are always looking for enthusiastic people who want to combine an interest in serving the community with the benefit of supplementing their income. Depending on the class, certification and/or formal education may not be required. The first step is filling out the Adjunct Faculty Community Education/Workforce Development Instructor application.