Join COCC Community Education on the second Tuesday of each month for presentations on topics that will expand your mind, ignite your creativity, and broaden your horizons. This series will highlight COCC faculty and Central Oregon experts, and will explore a variety of interesting topics. Leave these 2-hour sessions with unique takeaways, useful life hacks, fascinating insights, and a desire to know more, do more, and see more. Your registration is good for both sessions in October and December.
Check this website for updates about topics and guest speakers.
Winter-Spring 2026 Session
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January 13
Matthew Novak
Monkeying Around in Indonesia: Conservation Psychology with COCC
SPEAKER: Matthew Novak, Ph.D. COCC Professor of Psychology
A University of Washington graduate with a Ph.D. in developmental psychology, Matthew brings a wealth of experience to his post at COCC, having served as a research scientist at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institutes of Health. After retiring from scientific research, he saw teaching as a chance to give back to the educational community that once supported him. "As a community college student myself, I feel incredibly fortunate to be paying back the efforts of the great professors I had, and hopefully paying forward a few future researchers and professors," he shares.
Matthew emphasizes the importance of opportunities for students outside of the classroom. He has helped spearhead initiatives such as the Institutional Review Board for student research, Psychology Movie Nights, the Social Science Lecture Series, and the campus-wide Student Showcase. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the student clubs COPE (Central Oregon Psychology Enthusiasts) and NeuroPsychology.
Matthew's impact extends globally through COCC's Indonesia Field Study Program, providing students with immersive experiences in global health, biodiversity, and animal behavior. "Students live and work in rural Indonesia, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, while gaining hands-on experience in field work." Through teaching and advocacy, Matthew inspires students to explore, question, and contribute to the ever-evolving worlds of science and conservation.
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February 10 - TBA
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March 10
Lucas Alberg
(Title Coming Soon)
SPEAKER: Lucas Alberg, COCC Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Lucas Alberg brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, branding and storytelling to his role as COCC’s Marketing and Public Relations Director. Since joining the College, he has led efforts to enhance public awareness of COCC’s programs, deepen community connections and evolve the College’s brand identity. Prior to COCC, he held marketing leadership roles in the outdoor industry. A published author of three books, Lucas holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology from the University of Kansas.
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April 14
Michael Greene
Apis mellifera: The Science, Joy and Heartbreak of Urban Beekeeping
SPEAKER: Michael J. Greene, Assistant Professor II Paramedicine at COCC
Michael is 10 years in as a Journeyman Beekeeper in Central Oregon and will discuss the entomology of A. meelifera, how they are “kept”, and the heartbreak of honeybee and pollinator die off. Micheal’s extensive career experience includes work as a field medic, emergency department nurse, and flight nurse, as well as leadership positions in hospital, flight and critical care transport programs. He is an Assistant Professor II of Paramedicine/PD at COCC and self-describes as being “deeply passionate about education and the lifelong journey of learning.”