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.
2007
The Swanson Amphitheater
The Swanson Amphitheater was completed in 2007 and hosts concerts, plays, community events, and UCC’s graduation ceremonies each year.
Oct. 1: Gov. Tom McCall at the dedication ceremony of the UCC Community Auditorium
Future Students Discover Opportunities at UCC Healthcare Career Day LEARN LOCAL EARN LOCAL
More 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.
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.
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.”
Battling Wildfires and Refining Career Goals
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.
Hannah Henriquez, UCC EMS student
TOTAL DONATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
$1,045,504
2024 LEGACY BALL DONATIONS RAISED
$500,000+
TOTAL AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO 322 STUDENTS
$624,787 2
COLLABORATIONS ENABLE SUCCESS
Collaborative Efforts Guide Students into High-Wage, In-Demand Careers
The 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;
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
“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
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.
Nathan York, UCC Welding program graduate, who also attended a local high school, now works at Convey in a fabrication room.
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
DR. RACHEL POKRANDT UCC President