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Community Education

CONTACT US
Community Education and Workforce Development
Phone: 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 23, 2025 and are listed below. 

REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER TERM COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASSES OPENS JUNE 4, 2025 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
Phone: 541-888-7214
Email

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

Coos Campus  In-Person

The Arts

ART 0146 65  SCRIBBLE ART & SKETCHBOOKS

This seven-week course blends expressive scribble art with guided sketchbook adventures. Students will explore famous artists, experiment with mark-making and composition, and build a personal sketchbook practice rooted in intuition, curiosity, and play.

Instructor: Shinan Barclay

Location: Eden 7

Cost: $70

Day: Tue

Time: 5:30pm-7:20pm

Fitness & Recreation

PE 0509 65  ZUMBA®

Zumba® Fitness is a global brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an addictive dance-fitness class. Zumba® utilizes the principles of fitness, interval training, and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning, and total body toning. It’s a way of mixing body sculpting movements with easy-to-follow dance steps. Inspired by Latin dance and music, Zumba® uses a variety of Latin styles in its routines, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, as well as American styles like swing and hip hop. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms to help tone and sculpt the body.

Instructor: Tina Woodworth

Location: Rec Center 131

Cost: $50

Days: Wed                                

Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm

 

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: $85

Day: Tue

Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

 

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: $105

Days: Mon, Wed

Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm

 

PE 0507 65  YOGA – BEGINNING

Stay in yoga practice for flexibility, strength, balance. Safe, gentle class, keeping awareness on breath, while releasing stress and tension. Yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, and foam rollers are not provided. Patrons may bring their own for use.

Instructor: Linda Laverty

Location: Rec Center 125

Cost: $60

Day: Wed

Time: 1:00pm-2:15pm

 

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: 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Special Interest

DRIV 0622 65  BASIC MOTORCYCLE RIDER TRAINING

Basic Rider Training is a 15-hour (3-day) course for novice riders to build fundamental street-riding skills and strategies. Training motorcycles and helmets are provided. For individuals with no riding experience, this is the recommended course. Registration must take place prior to the date of the class at http://team-oregon.org. Instructor: Michael Heinen

Location: Newmark 201

Cost: $229

Days: Fri 6/27 6pm-8:30pm; Sat 6/28 8am-3:30pm

Sun 6/29 8am-3:30pm

 

DRIV 0623 65  INTERMEDIATE MOTORCYCLE RIDER TRAINING

Intermediate Rider Training is an eight-hour (one day) course for riders who already know how to get underway, turn, shift and stop a motorcycle or scooter while strengthening fundamental street-riding skills. Training motorcycles and helmets are provided. Registration must take place prior to the date of the class at http://team-oregon.org.

Instructor: Michael Heinen

Location: Newmark 201

Cost: $199

Day: Sat 6/28

Time: 8:00am-5:00pm

 

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 six-hour driving refresher course can yield discounted auto insurance premiums for individuals. Bring your lunch as we will only take a 30 minute break. To register call 541-305-6454.

Instructor: Ginny Carpenter

Location: Newmark 201

Day: Tue 7/15

Time: 9:15am-4:00pm

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

Bring your AARP card and drivers license.

 

CIS 0166 65  LET’S WRITE A BOOK WITH AI

This course will help you to unlock the power of your creativity. With the help of artificial intelligence, you will be able to transform your book idea into a page-turner faster than you thought possible. Imagine you effortlessly crafting captivating plots, unforgettable characters, and compelling prose with AI assistance. This isn’t just writing tips – it’s a deep dive into using AI to overcome writer’s block, develop killer narratives, and write like a pro. Over six lessons, you’ll master AI tools for brainstorming, plotting, writing, editing, illustrating, and even designing a cover that sells. Plus, learn to publish and market your masterpiece to a hungry audience. Each session combines expert instruction with hands-on labs, allowing you to practice using various AI platforms. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your writing journey. Enroll now and let AI be your co-author in crafting a masterpiece!

Instructor: Dr. Alla Sergueeva

Location: Stensland 201

Cost: $135

Day: Thur 6/26-7/31

Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

 

Notice: Due to unforeseen circumstances this class has been canceled for summer term. We apologize and thank you for your understanding.

Canceled: TA 0104 65  SAYING YES! INTRO TO THEATRE IMPROV

Saying Yes has never been easier! Join us in this fun, adventurous, and inspiring class where we create a safe space to explore the fundamentals of improvisational drama. No prior experience necessary. Improv is not only fun but can pave the way for limitless possibilities while providing expanded avenues for more courageous, spontaneous and creative moments in your life, along with more opportunities to listen, give, compromise and collaborate.

Instructor: Micha Silvius

Location: Umpqua 184

Cost: $89

Day: Wed

Time: 5:30pm-6:50pm

 

WR 0115 99  INTRODUCTION TO GRANT WRITING

This Introduction to Grant Writing course provides a basic understanding of grant writing and the foundations of project development. We will cover how to prepare your organization to apply for grants and identify local sponsors and small grants to consider. The course is open to all but geared toward smaller non-profits.

Instructor: Alisa Green

Location: Coaledo 8

Cost: $75

Days: Thur 7/10 & 7/24

Time: 10:00am-12:50pm

Culinary Arts

CRT 0109 65  SUMMER BAKING

Embrace the summer weather and spend some time outside beating the heat with a tasty treat. Taking advantage of the in-season fruits this course will give you a fresh and inspiring outlook on some of summer’s favorite desserts, like fruit tarts, ice cream sandwiches, lemon curd, and more.

Instructor: Chef Alison Murphy

Location: OCCI

Cost: $89

Day: Sat 7/12

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

 

CRT 0101 65  JUST DESSERTS!

In this hands-on class, you will receive instruction on Chef-chosen menu of truly tempting desserts that will take your meal to the next level. You’ll want to add these new skills and menus to your cooking repertoire.

Instructor: Chef Alison Murphy

Location: OCCI

Cost: $89

Day: Sat 8/9

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Curry Campus  In-Person

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.

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 0570 99  LOW-IMPACT 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 boost your overall fitness level. This is a great class for active seniors no matter your level of fitness. Mats are not supplied and are needed for floor exercises.

Instructor: Mary Whitaker

Location: Curry Campus 138A/B

Cost: $63

Days: Tue, Thur

Time: 8:30am-9:50am

 

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

Location: Chetco Grange

Cost: $63

Day: Tue

Time: 5:30pm-6:50pm

 

PE 0506 99  YOGA FOR HEALTH

An introduction to the Hatha physical yoga. Includes the background, safety precautions, and value of yoga. Stretching postures, proper breathing techniques, and stress reduction are emphasized. This course will focus on the health and wellness aspects that are gained in making yoga an integral part of ­everyday life.

Instructor: Amanda Whittemore

Location: Curry Campus 138A/B

Cost: $63

Days: Wed

Time: 8:00am-9:00am

Special Interest

AG 0506 99  WHAT IS AGROECOLOGY?

Living in balance with the planet is ever more critical. Our relationship with our environment takes many forms. One form, agroecology, is a current topic of interest. What is agro­ecology? What’s the difference between agroecology and all the other similar disciplines, such as permaculture, sustainable agriculture, regenerative agriculture, horticulture, Master Gardener, agroforestry, biodynamic agriculture, biomimicry, and others? The course will provide definitions and descriptions and put agroecology into a context. Scale will also be discussed – individual vs. community vs. the commercial scale and maintaining local food supply chains. Must be 15 years or older to participate.

Instructor: Linda Pope

Location: Curry Campus Room 206

Cost: $30

Day: Tue 7/29/25 & 8/5/25

Time: 1:00-3:00pm

 

AG 0504 99  SUSTAINABILITY FOR EVERYONE!

Moving the world toward living sustainably is more and more a critical component of our future. Each small step, each activity, each person makes a difference. This introductory course describes the many facets of the topic and how they may be approached. The concept of restoration is introduced. In the second half of the class, students will play the game Paved Paradise: A Tiny House Ecovillage Board Game (developed by the instructor), played over local maps to ground change in our local environment. Must be 15 years or older to participate.

Instructor: Linda Pope

Location: Curry Campus Room 206

Cost: $30

Day: Tue 8/12/25 & 8/19/25

Time: 1:00-3:00pm

 

DRIV 0620 99  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 six-hour driving refresher course can yield discounted auto insurance premiums for individuals. Pre-register by July 17.

Instructor: Robert Pfenning

Location: Chetco Activity Center

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

Day: Fri 7/18/25

Time: 8:45am-4:30pm

 

DRIV 0620 98  AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE

Instructor: Robert Pfenning

Location: Chetco Activity Center

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

Pre-register by July 17.

Day: Sat 7/19/25

Time: 8:45am-4:30pm

 

HE 0204 99  PASSION QUEST: FINDING THE WORK YOU LOVE, AND LOVING THE WORK YOU DO!

What if Michelangelo had to work a 9 to 5? Don’t let your creative purpose slip away! This workshop guides you toward a new career path through group support, coaching, visualization, and action planning.

By the end, you’ll have a clear vision and steps to achieve it. Ideal for career changers, educators, students, counselors, and therapists. Day one features interactive Q&A; day two includes sharing a vision and acting it out with group support.

Instructor: Vicki Mizel

Location: Curry Campus 137A&B

Cost: $99

Days: Mon 7/7/25 & 7/14/25

Time: 10:00am-1:15pm

 

HE 0205 99  SECRETS TO RECALLING NAMES WITH EASE AND CONFIDENCE

Learn the secrets to recalling names . . . and more! Join instructor Vicki Mizel and learn how to improve your memory at any age in this three-hour class. Learn how the mind works as well as new techniques for remembering names and more. Participants will practice these techniques in class to reinforce their use. This workshop is designed for anyone wanting to improve their memory skills for business and personal use.

Instructor: Vicki Mizel

Location: Curry Campus 137A&B

Cost: $59

Days: Mon 7/21/25

Time: 10:00am-1:00pm

 

BA 0134 99  RETIREMENT INTELLIGENCE

This is a virtual class held via Zoom designed to help individuals plan for retirement. What’s your retirement dream? Learn how to put together a plan that will help you reach your goals. Class includes a workbook to help individuals create their own plan and a private coaching call. Pre-register by July 1.

Instructor: Jesse Coffee

Location: Virtual Zoom

Cost: $39

Days: Tue 7/8/25 & 7/15/25

Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

 

Notice: Due to unforeseen circumstances this class has been canceled for summer term. We apologize and thank you for your understanding.

Canceled: SPAN 0721 99 CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH

Learn basic conversation and grammar for everyday personal use or employment taught in an informal setting. Includes group work, interaction, and conversation between participants and instructors. For students with little or no previous Spanish.

Instructor: Katherine Hanson

Location: Curry Campus 118

Cost: $115

Days: Wed

Time: 9:00am-11:00am

Writing

ENG 0150 99  WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY

Whether seasoned, aspiring, or a novice writer, you will learn basic writing techniques and untangle the mysteries that make a story come alive! You will be bringing home a first chapter that will make you hungry to write the next chapter and the next, and the next! Most importantly, you will walk away with confidence that your fears and doubts have vanished. In their place, you will have gained a priceless gift of courage to write your story and maybe even change the world! This is an online class.

Instructor: Judy Howard

Location: Online via Canvas

Cost: $90

Day: Mon 6/30/25 – Fri 8/8/25

 

WR 0100 99  WRITING YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Who better tell your story than YOU? Come and learn how to put together all of your stories into a book. Your story is sure to be something cherished. This course will introduce you to the techniques of writing an autobiography or memoir. Instruction will include method, style, and organization. You will collaborate with your classmates and the instructor in class in order to develop writing techniques.

Instructor: Coral Anderson

Location: Curry Campus 118

Cost: $70

Days: Thur 7/10/25 – 8/14/25

Time: 1:30pm-3:20pm

Culinary Arts

CRT 0180 99  EXPERIENCE PERUVIAN REGIONAL CUISINE

Explore the flavors of Perú with chef Monica Almond in a hands-on class that will delight your palate! Born and raised in Perú, Monica is a graduate of Southwestern’s Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI). She has taught classes at OCCI, and at Terra Savia Winery where she is currently the chef. Learn how the Peruvian jungle, mountains, and coast blend culture and climate with regional fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables to define the local cuisine. Students will prepare the following recipes:

  • Canary Bean Hummus with raw vegetables
  • Carapulcra made with dry potatoes, roasted cinnamon sticks, roasted aji pepper, a bouquet of thyme and rosemary, Peruvian peppers, pork ribs, and aji panca
  • Patarashca is a roasted fish wrapped in banana leaves with Charapita peppers, sweet peppers, annatto oil, and cumin seeds
  • Seco de Chabelo is made with plantains, beef, chicha de jora mixed with delicious aji peppers
  • Dessert is Suspiro de Limeña, translated as “sigh of a Peruvian woman,” includes a passion fruit reduction

Instructor: Chef Monica Almond

Location: Curry Campus 137A/B

Cost: $120

Day: Tue 7/15/25

Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm

 

CRT 0180 98  A FARMERS MARKET FRESH SUMMER

Enjoy the gifts of summer and create delicious dishes for your family with fresh ingredients from the farmers market! The sun-ripened seasonal ingredients will help define this delectable menu. Learn to prepare the following recipes:

  • Heirloom Melon Salad with turmeric and grape leaf powder
  • Tomato and Corn Soup with fresh basil
  • Summer Roasted Chicken with lemons and rose petal jam
  • Orange and Passion Fruit Pudding Cake

Celebrate summer’s bounty with fresh ingredients from the farmers market. Summer is known for giving our bodies a delightful balance with nature and life-love.

Instructor: Chef Monica Almond

Location: Curry Campus 137A/B

Cost: $120

Day: Thur 7/17/25

Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm

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.

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