Hawk Highlights 2024

CELEBRATING

CONTENTS

2024

LEARN LOCAL, EARN LOCAL

2

PRACTICAL LEARNING CAREER READY

6

CELEBRATING GIVING

10

FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

13

COLLABORATIONS ENABLE SUCCESS

14

Some of our milestones …

1964

1966

March, 30, 1964 — UCC was founded

May 5, 1966 — Groundbreaking ceremony

Harry Jacoby (right) received the Umpqua Community College charter from Governor Mark Hatfield (left) on election day, when Douglas County voted to have a community college established.

1965

UCC’s first graduating class Alice Lane, Deanna Weiss Larry Albertson

Bill Markham, Charles Dowd, Harry Jacoby, Gov. Mark Hatfield, Dr. Leon Minear

60 YEARS

On September 21, 2024, UCC marked its 60th anniversary with a full-day community celebration, featuring entertainment and activities throughout the campus.

1972

Oct. 1, 1972 — Dedication Ceremony of UCC Community (now Jacoby), Auditorium

1988

Establishment of Partnership for Growth program UCC made headlines with when this program was so successful the story was broadcast nationally on NBC Nightly News. The class instructed employees on a range of basic skills including writing, math,computers, and typing.

Oct. 1: Gov. Tom McCall at the dedication ceremony of the UCC Community Auditorium

2007

The Swanson Amphitheater

The Swanson Amphitheater was completed in 2007 and hosts concerts, plays, community events, and UCC’s graduation ceremonies each year.

LEARN LOCAL EARN LOCAL

Future Students Discover Opportunities at UCC Healthcare Career Day

M

ore than 220 high school students from across Douglas County participated in a full day of career exploration in healthcare. Held at Jacoby Auditorium, the Health, Nursing and Science Center (HNSC), and the EMS program area in the Tech Center, the event featured healthcare professionals sharing insights, live demonstrations, and interactive activities, giving students a deeper understanding of various career paths in the medical field.

The day opened with a welcome message from Dr. Rachel Pokrandt, UCC president, and featured an inspirational keynote speaker, Christin Rutledge, Director of Area Health Education Center Southwest from Aviva.

Students spent the morning and afternoon listening to healthcare industry professionals, viewing demonstrations, and taking part in hands-on activities which included

High school students entered an emergency vehicle simulator and were taken aback as a lifelike mannequin began to describe its simulated medical trauma, speaking as if it were an actual patient in need of care.

2 2024 Hawk Highlights

Ultrasound results are displayed live on a tablet, demonstrated by Dr. Chandrasekaran, a third-year residency doctor at Aviva Health.

areas such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Chemistry, Phlebotomy, Mortuary Science, Pharmacy, Ultrasound, EKG, EMS, Dental, Forensics, and Health Sciences.

After each session, students filled the hallways of HNSC to speak with various representatives from UCC Resource Navigators, Central Oregon Community College, Thrive Umpqua, UCC STEAM Hub, Oregon State University Dual Partnership Program, UCC Medical Office Administration program, and UCC Medical Assistant Program.

“It is exciting to see the kids come out of the sessions with their faces lit up; the students talked about how much they learned,” said Danielle Haskett, Executive Dean of Instruction. “While still in high school you can take courses in the allied health program at UCC and get a head start on a career path.”

The EMS department hosted a REACH helicopter landing, and students toured a new ambulance simulator inside the classroom, and practiced CPR.

Students worked on stitching sample wounds using suturing kits provided by Dr. Sulitzer, a third-year residency doctor at Aviva Health.

2024 Hawk Highlights 3

LEARN LOCAL I EARN LOCAL

Mary Barron instructs first year nursing students in the lab.

UCC Nursing Instructors Stay Local with Tuition-Free Master’s Degree UCC nursing faculty members Rivka Spain Butler and Mary Barron are taking advantage of a new grant program enabling them to earn a master’s degree without leaving the community.

The program not only covers their tuition, but features mostly online coursework, meaning the instructors can remain at UCC while continuing their work to teach and inspire more nurses in the community.

The program’s funding comes from a $45 million state “30-30-30 grant” awarded to the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to address the healthcare worker shortage, particularly in rural communities. The grant aims to increase the 4 2024 Hawk Highlights

number of graduating healthcare clinicians by 30% and increase student diversity by 30%, all by 2030.

The tuition savings per student is estimated to be $38,000 and includes shared/online textbooks and other resources.

Rivka, an Assistant Professor of Nursing who grew up in Sutherlin, currently teaches Pathophysiological Processes I & II, Acute Care Nursing and leads a clinical group of eight UCC nursing students.

While in high school, she studied to become a CNA (certified nursing assistant) which prepared her to work as a CNA in Neurology during college.

A scholarship from The Ford Family Foundation enabled her to achieve a BSN (Bachelor of Science

“Community change and making a real impact to the healthcare available to our rural community is what I love. I think it’s

PATHWAYS TO CARE FOR COMMUNITY

important to bring knowledge back to

Your Future as a Riverhawk

where we live and make the experience

Career Ready programs in Allied Health

for our students better.”

— Rivka Spain-Butler, Assistant Professor of Nursing

in Nursing), and after six years of work in larger metro areas including Denver and Portland, she returned to Roseburg to teach at UCC. Rivka is hopeful the program will encourage more nurses to stay local while pursuing their passions for higher learning, teaching, and patient care.

“Community change and making a real impact to the healthcare available to our rural community is what I love. I think it’s important to bring knowledge back to where we live and make the experience for our students better,” said Rivka.

Rivka is now working on her master’s degree and credits the OHSU 30-30-30 grant program for helping her balance family priorities and educational goals, all while remaining in the community she loves.

Instructor Mary Barron is also dedicated to guiding future nurses driven to serve locally. She’s a seventhgeneration Oregonian, with enduring family roots in Douglas County.

In her role as the Simulation and Clinical Skills Coordinator at UCC Nursing, Mary believes in an applied, hands-on method of learning. In the SIM/ Skills lab students utilize a variety of simulation-based activities designed to accommodate different learning styles and provide nursing students the opportunity to develop confidence.

DENTAL ASSISTING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FIRE SCIENCE HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION EXERCISE SCIENCE MEDICAL ASSISTANT NURSING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT PHLEBOTOMY

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR STUDENTS ON CAMPUS

“The days of lecturing with a PowerPoint are over,” Mary said. “My goal is to make the lessons engaging and memorable so there are key takeaways the students never forget.”

Mary started her career in healthcare by working as a medical transcriptionist from home, which led to a passion for nursing. The Ford Family Foundation Restart Scholarship helped her to get started on her career and complete the nursing program at UCC. After becoming a registered nurse, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at OHSU. She has worked as an orthopedic and general surgical nurse for 7 years. She began working at UCC Nursing in 2021.

“I love growing good nurses,” Mary said. “The students are great, and teaching is just something I feel I’m meant to do.”

Aviva Health partnered with UCC to offer healthcare services on the UCC campus with a mobile medical unit called the Hawk Health Center. Patients have access to traditional primary care services, such as annual check-ups, preventive healthcare, and referrals to specialists.

2024 Hawk Highlights 5

PRACTICAL LEARNING CAREER READY

Getting Started in Natural Resources

“I wanted to understand more about the science behind the fires.”

— Maggie Wheaton of taking remote courses helped her balance priorities at home on the farm.

She plans to transfer to Oregon State University’s College of Forestry next year to major in Natural Resources, with a specialty in Wildland Fire Ecology.

“Growing up here made it a natural transition for us to attend UCC,” she said. “The natural resources program was what I needed and the ease of being able to transfer to OSU made things work out well.”

Lace-Anna Rowe, UCC Forestry Program Coordinator and Instructor (left), assists Maggie Wheaton (right), with practice using a compass.

N

atural Resources student Maggie Wheaton said an increase in wildfires impacting Southern Oregon was what led her to pursue a career path in Wildland Fire Ecology.

Wheaton grew up on her family farm in Douglas County and has remained there — tending to dairy cows, hogs, chicken, and sheep — while pursuing an Associate’s Degree of Science from UCC’s Natural Resources program.

“I was initially interested in studying soil science, but once we started having more fires, particularly the Archie Creek 6 2024 Hawk Highlights

Fire, I wanted to understand more about the science behind the fires. Why it was happening and how the land was affected after them.”

The UCC program led her a paid wildland firefighting internship for the past three summers for Douglas Forest Protective Association and she already has another planned summer internship this year in the forest industry.

Maggie credits the program’s top-notch instructors and curriculum, and excellent networking opportunities to her success thus far. She added that the convenience

The youngest of five children, Wheaton was active in 4-H and never considered leaving the rural lifestyle she grew up in.

“Southern Oregon has always been my home,” said Maggie. “The UCC campus is breathtaking. Being surrounded by so many trees makes you feel so close to nature.”

Battling Wildfires and Refining Career Goals Hannah Henriquez, UCC EMS student Melanie McManus, Parole and Probation Officer

Connecting to Local Jobs and Rewarding Experiences Local Parole and Probation Officer Melanie McManus grew up in Green, OR. High school was coming to an end, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to study.

“UCC was the gateway to all of it. That’s where I discovered what I want to do.”

“My UCC teacher was super engaging and knowledgeable and interested me in criminal justice,” Melanie said.

Through the police reserve academy experience, Melanie was able to get an internship at the juvenile detention center in Roseburg. Melanie continued her education and graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

In her last term of college, Melanie juggled schoolwork while supporting a family as she had her first child, and then started working full time as an on-call Juvenile Specialist for Multnomah County. Melanie desired to be closer to family, so she moved back to Roseburg and became a Parole and Probation officer.

While parole is a challenging field, one of Melanie’s favorite things about her job that keeps her encouraged is receiving handwritten thank you cards from previous clients for helping change lives.

“As a parole officer, you’re going to have rewarding moments like running into clients in the community and seeing their successful life transformation.”

EMS Student Hannah Henriquez was in high school when she realized her passion for helping others and working in the medical field.

“I was fortunate that my high school had a vocational program where I could earn credit for taking first responder and EMT classes,” she said.

From there she pursued an interest in wildland firefighting and worked on the front line of wildfires throughout the region, including the Whistler’s Bend Fire in Roseburg, which started near the North Umpqua River before being suppressed by a rapid response effort by firefighting crews.

“We were on the front line and there was so much smoke in our face,” she recalled. “Then they told us to hold back, there’s going to be a water drop with the helicopter. I was taking a video of it and the water dropped right on me. It was cool to be in the moment and realize, this is so much bigger than who I am. There were so many people in Whistler’s Bend and being able to stop that fire was really cool.”

“Once I got to UCC I realized there’s more opportunities and more stability in structure firefighting,” she said. “Especially if I have a medical background.”

Hannah said UCC’s attentive staff and exceptional student services have made a huge difference in her career path, especially after experiencing challenging times following an injury.

“I love UCC so much. It’s the most community based and family thing I’ve ever been a part of. They’re always there. I feel like I’m home.”

As for Hannah’s EMS coursework, which is part of UCC’s Allied Health career programs, she is enjoying the classes and overall experience, which she said has been enriched with great instructors. Her younger brother is also in the program, working with the same faculty mentors.

“I like to help people; I like to be in the community. It’s a big part of me to give back. Because I know what it was like to not have anything at all,” Hannah added.

2024 Hawk Highlights 7

PRACTICAL LEARNING I CAREER READY

High School Students Explore Career Possibilities at UCC Trades Showcase

Current UCC students in the mechatronics program paired up with local high school students, sharing concepts they recently learned in automation programming and pneumatic systems.

Wayne Fischer showed prospective Engineering students how CAD software can be used to create 3D objects and prototype models for manufacturing.

UCC hosted a Trades Showcase and Career Day, bringing together employers from across Douglas County for a dynamic day of presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Students explored a variety of career paths by engaging directly with programs like welding, automotive, apprenticeships, engineering, mechatronics, computer information systems, truck driving, and the police reserve academy. This immersive event gave participants a firsthand look at the skills and opportunities available in these high-demand fields The day’s events opened with a keynote speaker, Tony Ramm, the Vice President of Manufacturing at Roseburg Forest Products, who provided career insights for the region’s future workforce.

A plethora of 50 local employers filled the UCC gym and connected more than 200 high school students from Douglas County, as well as current UCC students. Across campus, career and technical education exhibits provided on-the-job information from UCC faculty and local businesses including Roseburg Forest Products.

In Engineering, students watched how CAD software created 3D objects and connected with CNC machines to prototype models for manufacturing.

8 2024 Hawk Highlights

A truck simulator provided students with the chance to experience driving a semi-truck. With controls and a steering wheel from a real truck and mirrors reflecting a 360-degree view, students made turns, changed lanes, and avoided traffic as they drove across the Newport, Oregon bridge. After the simulator experience, students were offered a chance to sit inside the real over-the-road truck used for training in the UCC CDL program.

A Roseburg Forest Products truck driver, Rusty Brown, opened the hood of a heavy-haul flatbed truck to show students how to conduct a pre-trip inspection and get a glimpse of truck driving in the wood products industry. “It’s an honor to drive down the road in one of these. I get to be in charge of 100 feet of a vehicle behind me. It’s a sweet, serene job,” said Brown.

UCC TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL UPGRADE ENABLES PROGRAM GROWTH

In the automotive lab, instructor Doyle Poole asked 20 attentive high school students, “How many of you want to become automotive technicians?” A large show of hands went up. Students explored the automotive lab and received hands-on experience with a variety of automotive testing equipment.

“UCC students, staff, and local businesses were excited about the future possibilities that impact the local community. The day’s events brought a lot of energy of future opportunity, and the high schoolers seemed inspired to work within their community.”

— Wayne Fischer, Engineering instructor

Umpqua Community College has remodeled its Truck Driving School to provide the environment needed for more students to obtain a CDL and fill high-wage local jobs. Graduates can pursue careers in local delivery, over-the-road, and freight transport.

A special thank you goes to the Douglas County Commissioners, State of Oregon, and the Umpqua Indian Development Corporation.

2024 Hawk Highlights 9

Celebrating Giving

UCC Nursing Student Discovered Passion for Helping Others through Life Experiences

Nursing student, Danielle Hubbard, was invited to attend the Presidential State of the Union address as a special guest.

D

anielle Hubbard’s pursuit of a nursing career through UCC was inspired by her service as a medic in the Army National Guard, but also by a challenging childhood that motivated her to help others in the community.

National Guard, I felt like I finally had an opportunity where I could help people,” Danielle said. “What I want most is to be an advocate for people after all those years of not being able to advocate for myself.”

Danielle entered adulthood at age 17 and navigated a difficult path to independence. She spent a few months living out of a van in a retail parking lot before securing a better life for herself, which began through UCC.

She plans to earn her bachelor’s through the Oregon Health Services University OHSU in Portland, which will provide remote coursework so she can fulfill her Guard duties. She is set to deploy to Egypt later in the year for a nine-month humanitarian mission.

After completing high school and early After that, she hopes to return to college courses through the Phoenix Charter School, she enlisted in the Army Douglas County and work as a nurse practitioner. Her plan is to stay in the National Guard and was assigned to a hospital mission of humanitarian efforts National Guard, while also working for a local healthcare provider. for the pandemic and the Oregon wildfires. From there, she discovered a “I’m grateful to this community and passion for health care and enrolled in UCC for playing a huge role in my UCC’s Nursing Program with the goal of success,” she said. “I had never becoming a nurse practitioner. experienced formal education when “When I first came to UCC I was interested in being an attorney but being part of the mission in the 10 2024 Hawk Highlights

I came here, but it was easy to navigate, and the career counselors were incredibly helpful. It was a

great experience both on-campus and online.”

She has also helped two of her siblings out of poverty, one of whom stayed with her and her husband while he established an independent life for himself.

On March 7, Hubbard attended the Presidential State of the Union address as a special guest of U.S. Representative Val Hoyle.

Congresswoman Hoyle invited the second-year nursing student to the Washington, D.C. speech after spending time with her during a campus tour.

A special thank you goes to the Utz family for their continued contributions to health, nursing & science, and for making Danielle’s journey to the State of the Union possible.

TOTAL DONATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

$1,045,504

2024 LEGACY BALL DONATIONS RAISED

$500,000+

TOTAL AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO

$624,787

322 STUDENTS

2

2024 Hawk Highlights 11

FROM THE FOUNDATION JESSICA PAUGH Foundation CEO

It is with immense honor that I serve as the Board Chair of the UCC Foundation.

Our journey over the past 60 years has been remarkable, and it is all thanks to the unwavering support and generosity of our donors and supporters. Your contributions have transformed countless lives and made higher education accessible to many.

As we reflect on our rich history, we are filled with gratitude for the milestones we’ve achieved together. Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism for the future.

Together, we will continue to build on our legacy, creating opportunities and fostering growth for generations to come.

Thank you for being an integral part of our community.

Warm regards, — JESSICA PAUGH FOUNDATION CEO

WORDS FROM THE BOARD It has been my privilege to serve as the Foundation Board President for the past two years, and I am deeply honored to be part of the incredible support you provide to Umpqua Community College. Together, we help advance the college’s mission and meet the needs of students through scholarships, program expansion, new housing support, and student enrichment activities.

Your dedication truly makes a difference in the lives of countless students.

As we celebrate Umpqua Community College’s 60th anniversary this year, we reflect on the steadfast commitment of our friends and supporters who have made this journey possible. For sixty years, your generosity has opened doors, created opportunities, and helped shape a brighter future for our community.

Looking ahead, we are filled with excitement and optimism for what the next 60 years will bring. With your continued passion and dedication, we will help UCC grow, innovate, and provide life-changing opportunities for generations of students to come.

Thank you for being an essential part of this incredible legacy, and for your ongoing support of UCC’s mission. Together, we are making a lasting impact, and I look forward to what we will accomplish in the years ahead.

With deep appreciation, — ADEN BLISS FOUNDATION BOARD PRESIDENT

12 2024 Hawk Highlights

ADEN BLISS Foundation Board President

Foundation Board BOARD MEMBERS Aden Bliss, President Alex Palm, Vice President Elin Miller, Secretary Jeff Ball Neal Brown Chelsea Buckbee Renee Coen Brent Eichman Lynn Engle Steve Feldkamp Garrett Hanna Neil Hummel Robert Johnson Danny Lang Keith Longie Tom Nelson Brian Pargeter Lee Paterson Dr. Alanson Randol Dale Ritter EX-OFFICIO Steve Loosley UCC Board President Dr. Rachel Pokrandt UCC President

Mason Ramirez, recipient of the Briggs-Loosely Foundation Scholarship, 2024 UCC graduate, and transfer student to Portland State University.

2024 Hawk Highlights 13

COLLABORATIONS ENABLE SUCCESS Collaborative Efforts Guide Students into High-Wage, In-Demand Careers “Our schools are full of talented students who are ready to work hard and contribute to their community; they just need us to show them the way through visible pathways like those we’re creating. Together, we can all create a thriving community that is friendly for families and businesses.”

— Jared Cordon, RPS Superintendent

Nathan York, UCC Welding program graduate, who also attended a local high school, now works at Convey in a fabrication room.

T

he Umpqua Community College and Roseburg Public Schools Boards of Education teamed up on collective efforts to serve students, industry and the community. The two institutions worked to increase the number of programs that lead students from Roseburg High School to UCC to local industry careers. Initial efforts are focused on health care and advanced manufacturing programs, with both fields facing a shortage of skilled labor as they expand locally.

“Our schools are full of talented students who are ready to work hard and contribute to their community; 14 2024 Hawk Highlights

they just need us to show them the way through visible pathways like those we’re creating. Together, we can all create a thriving community that is friendly for families and businesses,” said RPS Superintendent Jared Cordon.

UCC and the district have a history of offering dual credits for students and currently offer a collaborative nursing assistant pathway. With an emphasis this school year on guiding students from preschool to career, the college and school district together hired a “P-20” (preschool to college) Coordinator to work with industry leaders to

grow and align course offerings at RHS and UCC. RHS students will have a choice of more than 67 college level courses offered with over 250 possible credits within the next school year.

Featured UCC connected pathways include phlebotomy, emergency medical technician, fire science, allied health, and advanced manufacturing/ mechatronics. The goal is to give students a head start, the chance to graduate with certifications or degrees with little to no debt, and directly step into meaningful, local careers.

“We are in a new era where the workforce pipeline is set to meet the needs of the community — Students will train right here at UCC to fill highwage and high-demand jobs,” said UCC President, Dr. Rachel Pokrandt.

Where Are The Boys?

By Dr. Rachel Pokrandt, UCC President

My first graduation as the President of Umpqua Community College was a day of celebration and an opportunity to learn who we are as a community. It was also the day I first said, “Where are all of our males?”

Two-thirds of the 2022 graduating class at UCC was female, and an even larger percentage was represented in the group that chose to walk in the ceremony. As I gazed out on the faces of the class of 2022, I was proud that so many women were choosing to pursue a degree or a trade, but I was also alarmed.

Since that time, UCC has been working toward better parity in our outcomes and has been learning that there is a growing body of evidence that our boys and men are not thriving in education and in many other realms.

The college was lucky enough to have Richard Reeves as our Fall guest speaker. Richard is the author of the book, “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It,” which was described in the New York Times as a “landmark” and named a book of the year by both The Economist and The New Yorker.

This issue matters to Douglas County.

Some form of education past the high school level can provide the skills necessary for high-wage, high-growth fields like healthcare and advanced manufacturing. The underrepresentation of men in these programs suggests a missed opportunity for both individuals and the community at large. The lag in educational attainment among rural men is a significant impediment to community prosperity.

Here are some of the primary challenges for men: • A Decline in Enrollment and Completion Rates • Lower Academic Performance • Socioeconomic Barriers Especially for Rural students • Cultural and Economic Shifts Affect Access to Higher Education • Lack of Support Programs For Douglas County, investing in the education of its men and boys is not just a matter of individual success, but a strategic imperative for community prosperity. When men are engaged in meaningful work that affords them the ability to support themselves and their families, they are more likely to be civically engaged. They are more likely to engage in local governance, volunteer for community initiatives, and strengthen social structures.

This engagement is crucial for rural areas, where community cohesion can drive efforts to tackle local challenges. By fostering a culture of involvement, educational institutions help ensure that learning translates into benefits for the entire county.

I would never assert that going to college to get a degree or trade is the only path – but it is the path that I have dedicated my life to serving and in which UCC can have an impact.

UCC is dedicated to making sure that all men and boys in Douglas County know that UCC is a place for them and that we are here to help them succeed. We did such a great job in the last half of the 20th century ensuring that our women and girls had equal opportunities, and we continue that work while we also concentrate on the group that has become our underserved population.

Richard Reeves presented the challenges that young men face to an audience of more than 600 people in Jacoby Auditorium.

Through advising, tutoring, internship opportunities, wrap-around supports, student activities, and numerous personalized programs, UCC is dedicated to making sure that all students, including men and boys in Douglas County know that UCC is a place for them and that we are here to help them succeed. We did such a great job in the last half of the 20th century ensuring that our women and girls had equal opportunities, and we continue that work while we also concentrate on the group that has become our underserved population.

2024 Hawk Highlights 15

COLLABORATIONS ENABLE SUCCESS

Teamwork Beyond the Field: UCC Athletes Make a Difference in the Community

Track and Field kicks off summer fun for Sunnyslope Elementary on their last day of school with a water balloon launching station.

Reading Under the Lights: Baseball athletes participate in an a evening of fun and reading to several Douglas County elementary school students.

LIBRARY REMODEL ELEVATES MODERN LEARNING

Umpqua Community College (UCC) completed an extensive remodel of its Sue Shaffer Learning Commons & Library. This transformation elevates modern learning and offers a dedicated space for academic success. Upgrades included enclosed quiet areas called “study pods,” a full-time media technician, enhanced tutoring center, and an innovation room, made possible as part of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

16 2024 Hawk Highlights

Track and Field participates in the Umpqua River Clean-Up at Stewart Park on Martin Luther King day.

Women’s softball team assists with outdoor projects at Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center.

Scholarship Recipients Begin New Careers in Allied Health As part of the Workforce Ready Grant, UCC and Aviva Health partnered to launch an Earn to Learn Scholarship program focused on Allied Health in 2023. The first cohort of scholarship recipients graduated in Spring of 2024 and have started employment with Aviva Health.

“I am excited to graduate and begin work as a registered nurse.

With my 6-year-old daughter, it is difficult to balance work, school, and family. This scholarship provided me financial stability while I focused on my studies,” said Destany Alamprese, UCC Nursing program student and Aviva Health intern.

The scholarship aims to help local students start a living wage career and establish a pipeline to provide healthcare professionals within the local community. Students receive tuition assistance and guaranteed employment upon completion in one of UCC’s Allied Health curriculum programs over three years.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

As I reflect on the past year at Umpqua Community College, we are proud to report a remarkable 22% growth in enrollment, a testament to our innovative programming and deep community involvement. This growth is not just a number; it represents our commitment to expanding educational opportunities, serving local employers, and meeting the needs of our diverse student body. Our success is driven by the dedication and hard work of our staff, who tirelessly support our mission to transform lives.

The work of the Foundation has been instrumental in this achievement. Through your generous financial contributions and intellectual support, our foundation contributors and supporters have enabled us to enhance our educational offerings, upgrade learning spaces, and provide scholarships that make higher education accessible to all. Your unwavering support has been pivotal in fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every individual and organization that has partnered with us. Your investments not only support the College’s immediate needs but also contribute to the long-term economic success of our community.

Together, we are building a brighter future for Douglas County and beyond.

2025 will be full of ambitious projects: We are building our suite of medical careers programs and plan to build new lab space to house those programs. We are continuing to invest in downtown Roseburg with more housing remodeling projects, and we are committing resources to strengthen partnerships and integration with our incredible Douglas County School districts. It’s an exciting time to invest in UCC – Go Hawks!

DR. RACHEL POKRANDT, UCC PRESIDENT

HAWK SQUAWK Join the flock!

This quarterly newsletter will keep you up to date on campus music, arts and theater events, sports, news, success stories and more.

umpqua.edu/hawk-squawk

DR. RACHEL POKRANDT UCC President

FOUNDATION

UCC Foundation 1140 Umpqua College Rd. Roseburg, OR 97470