Thinking about getting your business degree? No need for a “gap year” – maintain your flexibility (and sanity) with our part-time option.
Southwestern’s Business Management/Entrepreneurship Associate of Applied Science degree is an online program with added opportunities to collaborate with other students and local business leaders. Enroll now and receive our College Nuts & Bolts workshop FREE, and get a great head start on college.
Our business degree will teach you to spot opportunities, launch the next great company, or join a successful business as a leader.
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College hosts its 59th annual commencement on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 1:00 pm. The College’s ‘virtual’ ceremony will be streamed via our website at www.socc.edu/graduation. A program (available to download) listing all the names of the graduates can be found here as well.
Southwestern is especially proud to be celebrating the 2020 graduates who have persevered under very stressful and difficult times. This year the College is pleased to honor a total of 356 graduates, from 15 states and five countries. Ten students from our local high schools are receiving their associate’s degree along with their high school diplomas.
Graduates will leave Southwestern with a variety of degrees and certificates in science, business, arts and other fields. One-hundred-seventy-two graduates have earned Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer and will move on to bachelor’s degree programs; 115 will receive Associate of Applied Science degrees; 131 will receive Associate of General Studies degrees; 128 Associate of Science degrees. In addition, 78 students also earned Certificates of Completion in specialized career technical areas.
Twenty students have obtained bachelor’s degrees, three earned a master’s degree, and one a doctorate, through the college’s University Center in partnership with the Oregon University System. Three teacher licenses from the Southern Oregon University partnership will be awarded this year as well. Some students will receive more than one degree.
“We’re celebrating a turning point in the lives of our 2020 graduating class. They have survived not only the classes required to get their degrees, but also a pandemic that uprooted traditional studies these last three months, and regardless of the obstacle they made it,” said Southwestern President Dr. Patty Scott.
Southwestern’s President Dr. Patty Scott will provide the welcoming remarks and introductions. Board of Education Chair Marcia Jensen and Faculty Senate Chair Michael Winston will offer greetings.
Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction will present and confer the Southwestern graduates. Presentation of the University Center Degrees will be made by Dr. Patty Scott and she will then conclude the celebration with the tassel ceremony and the presentation of the Class of 2020.
Students and families can commemorate their college experience or special individuals by purchasing an engraved Legacy Brick that will be permanently placed in the Henry Hansen Union Square on the Coos Bay Campus. Minimum donations for a 4×8-inch and 8×8-inch brick are $100 and $200, respectively. Proceeds of the Legacy Brick project support Laker Alumni Association annual scholarships. For details, call the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209.
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s 2020 Commencement Ceremony (Graduation) will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2020 in an online format. The College’s ‘virtual’ ceremony will be available for viewing on several different platforms. Join Southwestern through the LiveStream website feature by going to https://livestream.com/accounts/1075958 at the designated time. The video ceremony will also be available via Southwestern’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/swocc) or YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/soccvideo/).
Southwestern is especially proud to be celebrating the 2020 graduates who have persevered under very stressful and difficult times. This year the College is pleased to honor a total of 356 graduates, from 15 states and five countries.
Degrees being awarded are:
172 Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer
115 Associate of Applied Science
131 Associate of General Studies
128 Associate of Science
78 Certificates of Completion (one year)
Southwestern also congratulates seven local high school students who acquired their associate degrees at the same time they were getting their high school diplomas.
Southwestern’s University Center congratulates 24 graduates receiving advanced degrees: 20 bachelor, three masters, and one doctorate. These degrees come from Southwestern’s partnership with Eastern Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, and Oregon State University. Three teacher licenses from the Southern Oregon University partnership will be awarded this year as well. For information on obtaining an advanced degree without having to leave the South Coast, contact the University Center at 541-888-1518 or visit https://www.socc.edu/why-swocc/pathways/university-center/.
Additional information can be found on the Graduation webpage located at https://www.socc.edu/graduation or contact the Admissions Office at 541-888-7636.
Southwestern doubled enrollment in its nursing program this year to help health care providers meet a growing demand for workers. It was a race to meet hospital and clinic needs and be ready to expand the program into the new soon-to-open Health & Science Technology Building.
Then came COVID-19. It brewed into a perfect storm.
With three months to graduation, Southwestern’s nursing students headed toward their final clinical training in hospitals. All the while statewide, fearful hospital managers started canceling training for student nurses.
“We knew if we could get our second year students out early, they could get all their practicum out of the way,” said Nursing Director Joannie Miller.
Her students needed their final 225 hours of training side-by-side with registered nurses serving as faculty. So, Miller jumped on the phone in early March, dialing partners at Bay Area Hospital. She called Hospice and the hospitals in Reedsport, Coquille, Bandon and Gold Beach.
“They all stepped up,” she said.
Every single one.
“The full-time nursing faculty worked through their spring break to make this happen for our students. Southwestern, the community and our students are truly blessed to have this caliber of people in the Nursing Department,” Miller said.
In all, 31 students completed clinicals this term. All graduated early, thanks to collaboration with final skill testing, revised safety protocols, and buy-in from the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Four already have job offers.
And, what about Miller and her faculty team? They are reviewing 140 applications for students hoping to get into next year’s nursing class.
“We are on the front lines. This is what we do as nurses,” Miller said.”
What our graduates have to say …
Keith Selanoff
2020 SWOCC Nursing Alumnus Keith Selanoff
What has it been like to train in this current environment? It’s definitely different! I’ve been fortunate to do my nursing practicum in hospice. Social distancing has had an impact on patient contact. I so look forward to the time when things go back to face-to-face interaction.
Why did you choose nursing? I’ve always enjoyed taking care of the sick. Providing my patients with compassionate and competent care, or even a distraction from their current situation, is what it’s all about for me. I started as a CNA when I was 17. Finishing nursing school is a lifelong dream for me.
What do you want to do in nursing longer term? My goal is to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I’m taking upper division classes at Eastern Oregon University, and will start classes for the bachelor’s of science in nursing at OHSU in the fall.
How would you encourage future students? Nursing school is tough, but you can do it. Don’t give up. You will get through and the faculty in the nursing program will support you 100%. It is a lot of work, but it goes by in a flash and before you know it you’re done. Find a study group that works well for you. That is a big help.
Ally Cuneo
2020 SWOCC Nursing alumna Ally Cuneo
What’s it been like to train in this current environment? There have definitely been ups and downs. I’ve been working side-by-side with a nurse at Coquille Valley Hospital in the ER. I absolutely love the craziness of the ER. We are creating a new system of response each day, and it’s really improving my patient care skills fast.
Why did you choose nursing? When I had my son, I was so impressed with the nurses that helped me. My husband is a paramedic, and we really love the lifestyle and the schedule. I decided I wanted a job that would be useful everywhere because we do humanitarian work, so nursing is a perfect fit.
What do you want to do in nursing longer term? Working in the ER suits my personality. I like to be on the go and it’s exciting. I’d enjoy having a job in the ER. Long term, I’d like to work in labor and delivery.
How would you encourage future students? I want to tell students that it’s worth all the hard work. I made a pact with other students that we would carry each other across the finish line, and we have! We’re a team, a family. The faculty pushed me and encouraged me. I have nothing but good things to say about them.
40 Aspiring Community College Presidents Will Participate in 2020-21 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship to Advance Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today announced that Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction at Southwestern Oregon Community College, is one of 40 leaders selected for the 2020-21 class of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. This leadership program will bring highly selected leaders together and prepare them to serve as the next generation of community college presidents who will transform institutions to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.
The Rising Presidents Fellows will embark on a 10-month fellowship beginning in July. Delivered in collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative, the fellows will be mentored by esteemed current and former community college presidents who have achieved exceptional outcomes for students throughout their careers, and will learn strategies to improve student outcomes in and after college, lead internal change, and create strong external partnerships with K-12 schools, four-year colleges, employers, and other partners.
“Evidence shows that substantial improvements in student success are achieved only when presidents have the commitment and skill needed to lead change within their institutions and through partnerships in the community,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “These fellows have been chosen because they embody that commitment and, we believe, will build their skills even further to become transformational presidents.”
“Aspen chose only one Oregonian for this fellowship, and Southwestern is thrilled they chose a member of our college,” said Dr. Patty Scott, Southwestern president. “Throughout her career, Ali has dedicated her work to equity, and ensuring all groups of students can access training and education. She’s most passionate about carrying out this work in rural communities, where colleges like Southwestern have the greatest impact in people’s lives,” remarked Dr. Scott.
Dr. Ali Mageehon started as Vice President of Instruction at Southwestern Oregon Community College in May of 2017. Dr. Mageehon has been in Oregon since 2009 and has worked at both Portland Community College and Umpqua Community College. Her career started in GED instruction when she taught at a correctional facility in Colorado. She found her passion for education in rural communities while living and teaching in the Marshall Islands.
Dr. Mageehon completed a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Denver, a master’s degree in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a doctorate degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Adult Education from the University of Denver. She has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, as well as has a published monograph on the Value, Belief and Experience in Women’s Jail Based Education.
The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship responds to the growing need for a new generation of leaders well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future. Nationally, nearly 80 percent of college presidents plan to retire in the next decade. While the traditional pathway to the presidency has excluded women and people of color, the incoming class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows comprises 70 percent women and 61 percent people of color and represents institutions of varying sizes and locations.
Together, the 2020-21 fellows are leaders at colleges that collectively serve more than 500,000 students. As well, 42 Rising Presidents Fellowship alumni have become presidents of community colleges that collectively serve an additional 500,000 students nationwide.
Southwestern Oregon Community College is the premier destination on Oregon’s south coast for acquiring transfer degrees, high-skilled job training, and lifelong learning. Our staff and faculty are committed to student success at all levels. Southwestern has the highest graduation and transfer rate among all community colleges in Oregon. Learn more about Southwestern at www.socc.edu.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices and leadership strategies that significantly improve student outcomes. Through the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, and other initiatives, the College Excellence Program works to improve colleges’ understanding and capacity to teach and graduate students, especially the growing population of low-income students and students of color on American campuses. For more information, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org and follow us on Twitter at @AspenHigherEd.
Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative (SELI) strives to help education leaders further develop their ability to transform education systems and drive meaningful change. SELI programs bring together the strengths of Stanford Graduate School of Education and Stanford Graduate School of Business, as well as additional Stanford faculty and resources, to offer multidimensional and immediately impactful professional development programming for practicing leaders in PreK-12, higher education, and policy. By fostering collaboration and building relationships between existing colleagues and among new peers, SELI programs create networks supporting participants’ continued learning and organizational improvement. For more information, visit https://seli.stanford.edu/.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.
