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Meet Detective Reyes-Mendoza…

Meet Detective Reyes-Mendoza…

Well, not yet. Police work is Gold Beach man’s dream.

If you visit the Curry Campus in Brookings, you just might meet Augusto Reyes-Mendoza. He is concentrating on his education at the Curry Campus to achieve his Associate of Applied Science degree. From here, he plans to enter the Criminal Justice program at Western Oregon University. “After I’m a police officer and I get some experience, I’d like to become a detective. You need a college education for that,” says Augusto.

How did his interest in this career path begin? At an aquarium in California of all places. “I was about 12. We were coming out of the aquarium and we saw a police office trying to speak with someone who clearly didn’t speak English. The officer didn’t know Spanish. He was trying, but not succeeding. I decided then and there that I wanted to be able to help people in situations like that. I’m bilingual.” To get a first-hand view of police work Augusto has gone on ride-alongs with the Port Orford Police Department, and the Curry County Sheriff’s Department. “Ever since I was little I looked up to police officers.”

Born to immigrants who weren’t able to pursue an education beyond elementary school, Augusto’s parents have always encouraged him to go to college. They had to leave school young to work and help feed the family. Now his parents own La Casita De Oro Mexican Restaurant across from Gold Beach High School. “After school and homework I help out at the restaurant. It gives my parents a break so they can go have dinner before the evening rush.”

At 13, Augusto moved with his family from California to Gold Beach and admits that his English was not great. “High school was hard for me. My GPA was not great, but now that I’m in college my GPA is 3.5!” 

Augusto attributes some of his success to the support he’s received from Curry Campus staff and faculty, and his ability to reach out. “Everyone knows me here at the school.”

Augusto has some advice to share, “I was worried I would fail at college. And yes, it can be hard sometimes but there are resources and people to help you. Going to college has helped me better myself in general. Don’t be afraid . . . go for it!”

He received financial help, too. Augusto received a Southwestern Foundation scholarship to help pay for tuition and college expenses.

Get started on your future! Contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.

Southwestern hosts community forum for Curry County residents

Southwestern hosts community forum for Curry County residents

Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites Curry County residents to a community forum to help shape the future of education and job training in the region. 

The event will be held from 2-4 pm, Monday, July 25, 2022 at the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, north of Brookings. College staff wants to hear from people of all ages to gather ideas that will help determine the vision for the campus and college programs and services in Curry County. 

College president Dr. Patty Scott and Vice President of Instruction Dr. Ali Mageehon will highlight recent Curry Campus initiatives. Southwestern also has an opportunity to expand its footprint at the campus and continue to develop educational programs that respond to needs today, and as communities evolve in the future.

“We want to hear from the community how the college can best support Curry County residents and local businesses through education and training,” President Scott said. “How are industries changing? What new jobs might be coming? Also, how can we make college more accessible to students and meet their needs?” 

The Curry Campus was built in 2012 and is located just off U.S. Highway 101 at 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway in Brookings. The campus currently offers GED classes, short-term training, university transfer degrees and community education classes.

Please contact Dina Laskey at 541-888-7400 or dina.laskey@socc.edu with questions.

Six new nurses graduate from the Curry nursing program

Six new nurses graduate from the Curry nursing program

The six Curry Campus nursing graduates began their nursing education in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. They persevered. They learned amazing lessons in flexibility and being able to adapt to change – all excellent skills essential to the nursing profession. In the face of multiple challenges, this group worked hard to maintain their studies, work as a team, and learn how to provide patient care in a demanding environment. Healthcare is ever evolving and changes rapidly. These Curry Campus graduates are more than ready and are looking forward to their upcoming careers as RNs.

Curry campus nursing cohorts start every fall. To learn more about nursing degrees at the Curry campus please call 541-813-1667 or visit the Curry campus website.

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