Mar 24, 2025 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s STEAM Pathways presents our 2025 Annual STEM Student Art Exhibit with the theme this year of “Our Ocean Through Time”. Please join us as we embark on an undersea expedition! To celebrate Earth Day this year students take a trip through time to learn more about the water that shapes and covers most of our home planet. The exhibit is available for viewing from Thursday, April 10 through Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm daily in the Eden Hall Gallery at Southwestern Oregon Community College, Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay). The gallery is free and open to the public.
About the Exhibit:
Our exhibit includes a wide variety of art produced by students and employees of the College. Featured pieces include “Slice of The Ocean” resin mold, by artist Maison Miller, and a ‘clay model of a hybrid tech creature inspired by the biological features of sharks and manta rays to create an underwater drone’ by artist Ava Cryer.
About the Curator:
With a background in art history and a decade of experience in STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), our exhibit’s curator, Krystal Hopper Meyers, collaborated with a diverse group of professors and students to tell the story of our ocean through various art forms.
For more information on upcoming events contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Mar 24, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 pm, for “What’s Next After the Heliophysics Big Year?”with Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering at Southwestern. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Lecture:
From October 2023 to December 2024 NASA put significant focus on our Sun with the Heliophysics Big Year campaign. From eclipses, to the Parker Solar Probe, to the Solar Max, our neighborhood star was quite busy over the last 18 months. What did we learn? What are we still learning? What’s next on the horizon for Solar and Heliospheric physics? Join Dr. Coyner for a look at Solar projects of the present and future.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Aaron Coyner is a solar physicist by trade and the physics and engineering faculty at Southwestern. He is an avid amateur astronomer, and a proponent for lifelong science exploration. Dr. Coyner has research experience having spent graduate school at Rice University, and a three-year post-doctoral research term at NASA/Goddard Spaceflight Center. He has teaching experience at the community college and university level in physics, astronomy, meteorology, and engineering.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor, Physics and Engineering at aaron.coyner@socc.edu or 541-888-7244.
For more information on upcoming lectures contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Mar 19, 2025 | News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s STEAM Pathways has 2025 summer and fall paid internships for high school students. Any person, age 16 years and older, attending high school whether it be public, private, online, or homeschool, is eligible to apply.
Students will work alongside faculty mentors and the SWOCC SPEAR (STEAM Pathways Experimental & Academic Research) Student Research Team, under a site supervisor, engaging in a variety of science research projects. Students will also have the opportunity to present their research at SWOCC’s Annual Student Research Symposium.
All internships will take place at the SWOCC Coos Bay Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) for up to 20 hours per week for 8 weeks in the summer, or up to 10 hours per week for 16 weeks in the fall.
This program is in partnership with the Oregon Coast STEM Hub and Oregon Sea Grant. It is made possible by the Oregon Community Foundation.
For more information please contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
Mar 17, 2025 | News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Swimming once again proved its dominance on the national stage, with both the men’s and women’s teams finishing as national runners-up at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championships. This marks the fourth consecutive year for the men and the fifth for the women securing second place overall. As the program continues to grow, the men’s team has seen a remarkable 45.36% increase in total points from 2020 to 2025, and the women’s team has improved by 35.05% over the same period. With such progress, SWOCC Swim remains on an upward trajectory, striving for even greater success in the future.
The team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the meet, earning one national title, 43 runner-up medals, and a total of 142 finals appearances. SWOCC athletes secured 112 A-final swims and 30 B-final swims, showcasing the depth and consistency of the team. The program also celebrated 85 personal bests, a testament to the dedication and hard work of the swimmers.
Among the many highlights, Till Schröder captured a national championship in the 100 freestyle with a time of 43.92, further cementing his place among the top sprinters in the NJCAA. Several program records fell as SWOCC swimmers shattered past bests. Freshman Mie Ankersen made a remarkable NJCAA debut by breaking the women’s 50 freestyle record, proving that SWOCC continues to attract and develop elite-level talent. On the men’s side, freshman Yuta Kosaka made a statement by breaking the program record in the 200 breaststroke, showcasing the strength of SWOCC’s incoming class and the team’s ability to refine and elevate new talent. Additional new Laker records were set in the men’s 400 freestyle relay (J. García Flores, V. Asparria Martínez, J. Roberts, T. Schröder), men’s 100 freestyle (Till Schröder), men’s 200 medley relay (G. Stokholm, J. Roberts, V. Dyrhauge, T. Schröder), men’s 100 backstroke (Till Schröder), men’s 400 medley relay (G. Stokholm, Y. Kosaka, T. Schröder, J. García Flores), men’s 50 backstroke (Till Schröder), and men’s 50 freestyle (Till Schröder).
One of the significant accomplishments of the meet was SWOCC’s dominance in the relay events. For the first time in program history, SWOCC Swim swept every single national runner-up finish in both men’s and women’s relays, proving that consistency and teamwork continue to pay off at the highest level of competition. The team’s depth and ability to perform under pressure were on full display, with swimmers stepping up to deliver in every event.
In addition to the team’s incredible success in the pool, Head Coach, Sandra Bullock, was named NJCAA Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year, a well-deserved recognition of her leadership and dedication to the program. This achievement was made even more special as the meet was sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, with Coach Bullock receiving her award from two Coast Guard representatives. It was a meaningful moment, as Bullock is a retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Although Coach Bullock was the named Women’s Swimming Coach of the year, she was quick to share that this honor was a team achievement, particularly acknowledging Associate Head Coach Jessie Gill, whose contributions have been essential to the team’s success. “Coach Gill was just as instrumental in this award, and we truly earned it together. Her leadership exceeded anything I could have hoped for,” Coach Bullock said. Gill, recently named Associate Head Coach, has been a driving force as she is the primary distance and IM coach, helping SWOCC Swim reach even greater heights.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the coaching staff, the College, family, friends, and the Coos Bay community. SWOCC Swim continues to build upon its legacy, and with the momentum from this year’s championships, the team looks ahead to even greater achievements in the seasons to come.
SWOCC Swim is not just a program of excellence – it is a program of relentless ambition. Year after year, the team continues to grow, improve, and push the limits of what is possible. With each race, each new record, and each championship meet, SWOCC proves that it is a force to be reckoned with. This team is built on dedication, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. They will not stop. Keep them on your radar, because SWOCC Swim is a team of champions, and they are just getting started.
To learn more about Southwestern’s swimming program go HERE. To contact Head Coach Sandra Bullock email her at: sandra.bullock@socc.edu or call 541-297-2158.
Mar 17, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, April 10, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (New Time!) for: Monarch Butterflies in Our Backyard.
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.
Dennis Triglia will talk about his love of the Monarch Butterfly, and the petition to have Brookings, Oregon become the first Monarch City in Oregon.
Vicki Mion and Patsy Haggerty were monarch enthusiasts and together with Dennis they started the Brookings Oregon Monarch Advocates (BOMA) group in 2015. They had monthly meetings, two Monarch Festivals in Azalea Park (2017 and 2018), and started collecting monarch butterfly eggs and milkweed for the students at Kalmiopsis Elementary School which were reared indoors away from predators in the garden.
Dennis rallied the support of Brookings City Council and BOMA was approved as a Monarch City in May 2017. In 2018, he applied on behalf of Kalmiopsis Elementary School for Monarch School USA in conjunction with having set up a pollinator garden in the Little Bear Patch Garden at the school.
MONARCH CITY USA was created in 2015 in Maple Valley, Washington as a nonprofit organization with a mission of helping the monarch butterfly population recover by encouraging local cities to plant milkweed and nectar plants within their borders.
Dennis has witnessed the decline of this beautiful species of butterfly. In 1980 Dennis visited Pacific Grove in the Santa Cruz area of California and saw millions of monarchs hanging from the eucalyptus trees like long orange-and-black blankets. When he revisited Pacific Grove forty years later in 2020, there were very few (perhaps hundreds instead of millions!).
Dennis will describe how Brookings and Curry County can protect and increase the population by creating habitat, collecting data for researchers and advocating for the reduction of insecticides and herbicides.
Dennis will share posters of the Monarch life cycle, preserved male and female specimens, cages in which folks could captively rear monarchs from eggs, lists of nectar plants and descriptions and photos of several species of milkweed. Milkweed is the only host plant on which monarchs lay their eggs.
Topics covered will be the Monarch life cycle, role as a pollinator, current conservation issues, how to rear them in captivity from egg-collecting through five caterpillar stages to the pupa (chrysalis) and ecloses (emerging from the chrysalis as an adult). Dennis will share some personal stories that he and other monarch enthusiasts have experienced.
Explore, grow, and create with the Friends of Curry Campus on the second Thursday of every month during the school year. Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Mar 16, 2025 | News, Student Success
UPDATE (3/16): The Lakers made history in their first-ever NWAC Championship appearance, battling until the final buzzer in a hard-fought 63-67 loss to Lower Columbia. We are immensely proud of these student athletes for their historic run and outstanding representation of SWOCC. Notably, three Lakers were honored as All-Tournament selections, highlighting their exceptional performances throughout the tournament. Congratulations to the entire team on an incredibly successful season!
For the first time in school history, the Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Men’s Basketball team has advanced to the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championship game! The Lakers secured their spot with a commanding 76-60 victory over South Puget Sound Community College in the semifinals.
The championship game is set for Sunday, March 16 at 4:45 p.m. in Pasco, Washington, where the Lakers will face the Lower Columbia Red Devils.
This historic achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our student athletes. We invite the entire SWOCC community and fans to support the Lakers as they aim to bring home the championship title! Be sure to follow SWOCC Athletics social media channels and check out NWAC Sports for updates and viewing options. GO LAKERS!
Mar 11, 2025 | News, Student Success
The Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Men’s Basketball team has achieved a historic milestone, advancing to the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Final Four for the first time since 2008. This coveted achievement was secured with a hard-fought 61-56 victory over defending champions Green River College, in a defensive battle that showcased the Lakers’ resilience, teamwork, and championship mentality.
The Lakers now set their sights on South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) in the NWAC semifinals on Saturday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m. The game will take place at Columbia Basin College’s Student Recreation Center in Pasco, Washington. These two teams met earlier this season with SPSCC narrowly securing the win. This time, the Lakers are stronger, hungrier, and ready for the ultimate rematch. Their journey to this point highlights the talent, dedication, and competitive spirit that define SWOCC Athletics—just one of the many reasons students choose to become Lakers.
Join us in cheering on the Lakers as they fight for a spot in the NWAC Championship! Watch the game live on the NWAC website, and stay connected with SWOCC Athletics on social media for updates. Let’s rally together and support this incredible group of student-athletes as they represent the Southern Oregon Coast and strive to make history!
Mar 10, 2025 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is hiring individuals 18-24 years old this spring for the SWOCC Trail Crew to build hiking trails. The project will involve restoration and construction of trails and bridges through SWOCC’s Coos Campus forest beside Empire Lakes and connecting to Coos Bay’s John Topits Park. This is a partnership between the College, SOWIB, and Port Orford-based Ptarmigan Trails. Construction is scheduled to begin April 15 and be completed June 1, 2025.
Trail Crew members will be full-time and get to work outside. They will get training in hands-on tool use and learn trail-construction skills that can be used in recreation, forestry, landscaping and other outdoor career pathways. This is the first phase of a project to build more than 4.5 miles of natural surface trails on the Coos Campus for walking, hiking and mountain biking.
SOWIB will provide all necessary gear for the crew including boots, gloves, and safety equipment.
To apply, interested individuals can go to https://l.ead.me/wrqbox, call (541) 252-2394, or email corey@wrqbox.com.
Mar 5, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College announces the names of students who excelled fall term for the 2024-2025 academic school year. These students are being recognized with placement on the College’s Dean’s List (DL), Honor Roll (HR) and Academic Excellence (AE) list.
• Academic Excellence – students must receive a GPA of 4.0 in at least 12 credits
• Honor Roll – students must receive a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99 in at least 12 credits
• Dean’s List – students must receive a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 in at least 12 credits
Mar 5, 2025 | Alumni, Community, News, Student Success
SWOCC Business Program Shapes Future Leaders
At Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC), students aren’t just filling seats—they’re shaping their futures. With unique goals and diverse ambitions, each one is committed to making a meaningful impact on the world. SWOCC’s business programs are designed to nurture those aspirations, providing a solid foundation for future leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who think big!
Whether you aim to start your own business, advance in your current role, or transfer to a four-year school, our program provides you with the knowledge and tools to reach your goals. With small classes, expert instructors, and a comprehensive curriculum, SWOCC business students graduate equipped with real-world skills that help them succeed and give back to their communities.
Take LaMont Swinson, for example. A 2000 graduate, LaMont’s story is one of resilience, determination, and giving back. Originally from Wasilla, Alaska, he was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. At SWOCC, he excelled both on the basketball court, leading the Lakers to a regional championship, and in the classroom, earning an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree. LaMont continued his education at the Oregon Institute of Technology, where he helped lead his team to the national Elite Eight.
LaMont’s career has been equally impressive. After spending 13 years as assistant vice president and branch manager for First Community Credit Union, he is now branch manager for Directors Mortgage. But LaMont’s connection to SWOCC doesn’t end there. He continues to serve as the assistant men’s basketball coach, mentor young people, and is a member of the SWOCC Foundation board. LaMont was honored as SWOCC’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2019. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities or education. LaMont was chosen for the award for a multitude of reasons, but especially because he is a person who continuously helps young people navigate the world and always gives back to students in an uplifting way.
“I tell students that SWOCC offers a great foundation for your future,” says LaMont. “It doesn’t matter where you start from, where you come from. You’ll find those people at SWOCC that I found. The ones that opened their hearts to me. Held me accountable and had expectations for me. That built in me a foundation that allowed me to go on and grow and succeed. Believe me. Everyone here wants you to succeed.”
Misha Whittaker’s journey also began at SWOCC, where she earned Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Business Management and Accounting in 2019. She credits her success to the hands-on learning and personal guidance she received at SWOCC, including her internship with Cardinal Services, which ultimately led to a full-time job.
“I would not be where I am now without the SWOCC Business Program and Professor Jessica Engelke,” Misha shares. “She not only connected me with the job but also inspired me to keep pushing myself.”
After starting as a part-time payroll support specialist, Misha transitioned to a full-time customer service manager and eventually into her current role as a payroll specialist. In addition to professional growth, Misha has established a life in Coos Bay with her husband and their son. “SWOCC gave me the support and opportunities to start my career, and now I’m able to give back to my family and community. As I think about the future and raising my son, I’m motivated to keep pushing forward — knowing each step not only builds my life and my family’s but contributes to a stronger community for those to come.”
SWOCC offers a variety of pathways tailored to students’ diverse career goals. The Business Transfer Degree prepares students to enter bachelor-level business programs at public Oregon universities, providing a strong foundation in business principles. For those looking to specialize, there are certificates in areas such as Accounting/Bookkeeping, Business Management/Entrepreneurship, Retail Management, and Supervision. Plus, programs can be completed entirely online or part-time, offering flexibility to fit the busiest schedules.
SWOCC’s business program isn’t just about getting a job — it’s about making a difference. With opportunities for experienced-based learning, internships with local businesses, and specialized certificates, students like LaMont and Misha gained the knowledge and skills they needed to thrive in their careers.
The College’s mission is to “inspire innovation, lifelong enrichment, and contribution to global society.” Through its business program, SWOCC empowers students to do just that — think bigger than themselves and go on to lead successful, impactful lives.
Where are we now?
Are you a SWOCC Alum, or do you know one who’s making a difference in their community?
We’d love to hear your story!
Whether it’s your own journey or someone you admire, share how a SWOCC alum is creating positive change.
Email us at alumni@socc.edu with your name, contact information, and a brief description of what you (or your nominee) are doing. If selected, we’ll follow up to learn more and, with your permission, share your story to inspire others in our community!
