Press releases
Press Announcements, September 2018
For more information contact Mark R. Johnson, Staff Writer, College Relations.
September 24, 2018
COCC SEEKS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK IN FILLING PRESIDENTIAL POST
As it initiates the process of launching a presidential candidate search, Central
Oregon Community College (COCC) is holding a series of public forums, Oct. 1-2, at
multiple locations across its district to get a cross-sectional view on envisioning
the ideal candidate. “The college is holding these meetings to gather input on what
the campuses and the community are looking for in a new president,” said Ron Paradis,
COCC’s executive director of College Relations.
Preston Pulliams, president of Gold Hill Associates, a Mississippi-based recruiting
firm that specializes in hiring executives for community colleges, is guiding the
search process and will lead the forums. Pulliams formerly served as president of
Portland Community College. On Sept. 5, COCC’s current president, Dr. Shirley Metcalf,
announced she would be retiring at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.
Schedule of meetings:
Monday, Oct. 1
9 to 10 a.m., COCC Madras campus, 1170 E. Ashwood Rd., Madras
11 a.m. to noon, COCC Crook County Open Campus, 510 SE Lynn Blvd., Prineville
1:30 to 2:30 p.m., COCC Redmond campus, Technology Education Center, Rm. 224, 2030
SE College Loop, Redmond
4 to 5 p.m., Deschutes Public Library, Brooks Room, 601 N.W. Wall St., Bend
Tuesday, Oct. 2
10 to 11 a.m., La Pine City Hall, 16345 Sixth Street, La Pine
In addition, the college is holding staff forums on its campuses for COCC employees
to attend. For more information, contact Ron Paradis, executive director of College
Relations, at 541-383-7599.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
September 18, 2018
COCC’S FALL TERM GETS IN GEAR ON SEPT. 24
Bobcats from as far and wide as Texas, Minnesota and Hawaii will start arriving at
Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Wickiup residence hall for “Move-in Day”
on Thursday, Sept. 20, with fall term for the school commencing on Monday, Sept. 24.
“Right now we have 285 students expected to move in but are still processing applications,”
said Stephanie Bilbrey, COCC’s housing marketing coordinator. The residence hall is
a 320-capacity building and college officials expect the number of students choosing
that option to increase in the coming days.
This year, Bobcat Orientation, held 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, includes
a “support system” session to help prepare family and friends for their role in the
educational process.
Preliminary enrollment numbers for fall term show the college’s headcount tallied
at 4,438, down 4.66 percent from last fall. New first-time student numbers are at
986, up 12.3 percent. In addition, there are 367 transfer students joining the college
and some 423 returning to their studies after an absence.
For more information, contact Ron Paradis, executive director of College Relations,
at 541-383-7599.
COMMUNITY BOOSTS COCC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Foundation is offering $1.6 million in
scholarship funds this academic year, a record-high in available scholarship funding
for the organization. The boost in scholarships will impact more than 400 deserving
local students at the two-year college.
Zak Boone, executive director of the Foundation since 2016, points to the many partners
of the Foundation and a successful fundraising campaign this year for the unprecedented
achievement. “This dollar figure represents the work of faculty, staff, board members,
donors, business partners and countless others,” he said. “The COCC Foundation is
humbled and privileged to make this scholarship funding available to our amazing students.”
Community commitment to the mission of the Foundation comes in the form of direct
donor support, participation in annual fundraiser dinner events—including the upcoming
“Anthony’s Feast at the Old Mill,” held on Oct. 16—and by attendance at a series of
visiting scholar presentations and talks.
The COCC Foundation awards scholarships based on a combination of academic promise
and financial need, according to Boone. One recent Foundation scholarship recipient,
Olivia Serna, received her associate degree in criminal justice this year while maintaining
a 4.0 GPA. “The Foundation scholarship allows students to thrive, relieves their stress
and motivates them to excel in the classroom,” she said. For the 2017-18 school year,
COCC scholarship recipients maintained an average GPA of 3.31, compared with a 2.9
GPA of the general student population.
“Not only do Foundation scholarships relieve the upfront financial costs of attending
COCC,” said Boone, “but just as importantly, they allow many of our students to earn
their degree entirely debt-free. We know education changes lives, but we also know
that investing in our students not only allows them to pursue their dreams, but often
has a beneficial financial ripple effect for their entire family.”
Started in 1955, the COCC Foundation supports COCC and its students, to help ensure
that the college is a vital, accessible and premier educational resource. The Foundation
achieves this by providing financial assistance to students, fiscal support for college
programs and by leading capital campaigns in support of needed college improvements.
For more information, contact the COCC Foundation at 541-383-7225.
COCC ART EXHIBIT HAS A FACULTY FOCUS
The Pence Pinckney Gallery at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is exhibiting
a range of work from its visual arts faculty members Oct. 4-26; the gallery is open
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. There are 13 visual arts instructors at the
college, with specialties in mediums like painting, graphic design, ceramics, photography,
sculpture, drawing and metalwork.
For more information on the exhibit, contact Bill Hoppe, gallery coordinator, at 541-383-7514
or whoppe@cocc.edu. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
September 13, 2018
NURSING PROGRAM AT COCC ATTAINS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION CANDIDACY STATUS
Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) nursing program recently attained candidacy
status from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), a national
accrediting body, putting the college on the path to take its associate degree in
nursing to a new level of recognition.
Nationwide, nursing education is undergoing an accreditation shift, moving toward
a system that operates more and more under national review. “The National Council
of State Boards of Nursing has recommended that state boards of
nursing require national accreditation for nursing education programs
by the year 2020,” explained Julie Downing, instructional dean at COCC.
Though neither the Oregon Legislature nor the Oregon State Board of Nursing—the
college’s current accrediting body—have set parameters for updating accreditation,
the college is making a proactive move to be on the front end of this shift. The new
programmatic accreditation for COCC will expand upon the integrity of the school’s
nursing program and promote more employment opportunities for graduates.
Already, several Oregon border states have revised their own accreditation systems
in the nursing education field. Washington updated its nursing requirements
to a national standard with a legislative change two years ago and Idaho hospitals
now stipulate that students performing clinical rotations be enrolled in a
nationally accredited nursing program.
Approval by ACEN will involve a site visit (sometime next year, following a self-study
report by the college) and a program evaluation. ACEN requires that nursing faculty
hold the degree specified by their state approval body, a requirement already met
under COCC’s current accreditation. COCC’s nursing program, which started in 1954,
today graduates roughly 48 RNs each year.
For more information, contact Julie Downing, instructional dean, at 541-383-7238 or
jdowning@cocc.edu or Jane Morrow, nursing department chair, at 541-383-7417 or jmorrow1@cocc.edu.
COCC HOLDS NURSING PROGRAM INFO SESSIONS (2)
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is holding nursing program overviews at its
Bend and Redmond campuses:
Bend campus: 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, Boyle Education Center, Room 155.
Redmond campus: 5-6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, Building 3, Room 306.
Nursing orientations are information sessions designed for students interested in
COCC’s associate’s degree in nursing. Sessions cover minimum requirements to apply
to the program, how applicants are selected, deadlines and more. The formal presentation
usually runs 45 minutes with plenty of time for questions during and after. Prospective
nursing students are strongly encouraged. Reservations are not required. Contact:
Kara Rutherford at 541-318-3741.
September 7, 2018
COCC BOARD MEETING: SEPT. 12, IN MADRAS
The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) board of directors will hold its monthly
meeting at 5:45 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Madras campus in the building’s
Community Room, located at 1170 E. Ashwood Road. The board will first meet for dinner
at 5 p.m.
The agenda will include updates on the college’s student newspaper, green energy fees
and the Redmond school district bond measure. The meeting concludes with the executive
session on potential litigation. For more information, contact Ron Paradis, executive
director of College Relations, at 541-383-7599.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
SURPLUS TECH FOR SALE AT COCC
Organizations, startups and individuals looking to shop for affordable tech will find
a range of used computer equipment at Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) annual
Technology Equipment Sale, from 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Bend campus’s
bookstore.
Inventory includes CPUs, iPads, monitors, laptops, camcorders and other pieces of
hardware. Though the equipment is cleaned and tested, products are sold as-is and
shoppers are encouraged to test items the same day of purchase; although no warranties
are offered, staff may be able to address some issues, but only within the first 48
hours. For a list of available items and their specifications, visit cocc.edu and
search with the keyword “sale.” Items will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis,
and as long as items are still available. COCC will not hold, deliver or ship any
items. For more information, visit cocc.edu or contact COCC Information Technology
Services at 541-383-7400.
September 5, 2018
COCC PRESIDENT SIGNALS RETIREMENT FOR 2019
Dr. Shirley I. Metcalf, president of Central Oregon Community College, has announced
her plan to retire as of July 1, 2019. Metcalf, who has worked in higher education
in Hawaii, Washington and Oregon for 46 years, is only the fifth president in COCC’s
nearly 70-year history. She has been at COCC since 2011, and has served as president
since 2014.
Metcalf is credited with providing stability and a strong sense of community, both
on and off the campuses of COCC. She oversaw the completion of both a strategic plan
and a facilities master plan, the successful accreditation mid-cycle report, and was
instrumental in helping the college secure its largest ever federal grant, a five-year
$2.25 million U.S. Department of Education Title III grant aimed at increasing student
success during the transition to college and in developmental math and writing courses.
“Dr. Metcalf is a trusted and valued leader in Central Oregon, respected by the board,
faculty, staff, students, elected officials, business leaders and our community at
large,” said John Mundy, chair of the COCC board of directors. “She is active in local,
state and national organizations that promote educational achievement for students,
and has brought knowledge and insight from that participation back to the college.
During her tenure, she has promoted a culture of mutual respect and openness, which
is evident every day at COCC.
“Dr. Metcalf’s success in securing the Title III federal education grant has already
yielded measurable improvements in student performance,” Mundy said. “We recognize
and celebrate her many successes and hope to continue building upon her accomplishments
in promoting student success.”
Metcalf, who will be 67 next week, said the decision to retire was not an easy one.
“My time at COCC has been and continues to be the most enriching and rewarding experience
of my career,” she said. “As I have said regularly, I love my job serving as the president
of Central Oregon Community College.
“During my time in higher education – especially with community colleges – I have
experienced how we impact and transform students’ lives, and the positive impact we
have on the larger community. I am grateful to everyone at COCC for the energy and
commitment they bring to the college on a daily basis,” she said.
“I look forward to the coming year,” Metcalf said. “We have a lot of work to do in
more fully implementing the strategic plan and many of the components of the Title
III grant. Both will help prepare us for our next accreditation visit, in 2020.”
Under Metcalf’s tenure, the COCC Foundation has continued to grow. The endowment is
now at more than $22 million, up from $16 million four years ago. The amount of scholarship
money awarded each year has grown from $1.1 million to $1.6 million during that time.
Metcalf worked with the Foundation and led the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the
Bend campus, which included the naming of the Coats Campus Center in honor of the
donors of the land for the campus.
In the community, Metcalf has worked closely with local school district superintendents
in increasing the opportunities for high school students to earn college credits,
and in getting more local high school graduates to attend COCC. The number of College
Now courses – classes taught in the high schools by high school teachers but with
COCC-sanctioned college credit – has gone from 131 to 183 in the last five years,
with enrollment increasing by 27 percent to 1,160. The percentage of recent high school
graduates from Central Oregon schools who attend COCC during their first year out
of high school is now averaging between 25 and 30 percent.
Metcalf served for several years on the board of directors for Redmond Economic Development,
Inc. (REDI) and continues to serve on the board for local nonprofit Better Together,
a regional partnership working collectively to improve education outcomes for children
and youth. Nationally, she is active in the National Asian Pacific Islander Council,
an Affiliate Council of the American Association of Community Colleges. Fewer than
one percent of community college presidents are Asian Pacific Islander women.
Dr. Metcalf first came to COCC in 2011, serving originally as dean of extended learning,
overseeing the college’s non-credit instruction and the COCC campuses in Redmond,
Madras and Prineville. This included the Small Business Development Center, Continuing
Education, Professional Development and the college’s programs at the Deer Ridge Correctional
Institution. In 2013, from February through June, she served as interim vice president
for instruction.
In 2014, in her first year as president of COCC, she was named “Woman of the Year”
by The Source Weekly newspaper and selected as one of Bend Chamber of Commerce’s “Women
of the Year” nominees.
Prior to coming to COCC, she held the positions of executive vice president for instruction
and vice president for advancement at Lake Washington Technical College, in Washington.
At Hawaii Community College, she served as dean of instruction (chief academic officer)
and dean of outreach. Metcalf attained the rank of full professor in business and
held a tenured position with the University of Hawaii System for 26 years.
In 2014, Dr. Metcalf was named one of the University of Hawaii Community College’s
“50 Finest” for her contributions to community college education in Hawaii. As part
of their 50th anniversary celebration, the UHCC credited her with a lifetime commitment
to the community college system and students.
Dr. Metcalf earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Hawaii
and her doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University.
She is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as the college’s president.
She replaced Dr. James E. Middleton, president from 2004 through 2014. Prior to that,
Dr. Robert L. Barber served as president from 1990 to 2004. Dr. Frederick H. Boyle
was president from 1967 to 1990, and Dr. Don P. Pence was the first president of COCC,
serving as director from 1950 to 1957 and president from 1957 to 1967.
Mundy, the COCC board chair, said the board of directors is already working on the
process to hire the next president. They are in the process of selecting a search
consultant and will soon be appointing a broad-based search committee, to be comprised
of representatives from the community, along with faculty, staff and board members.
The goal is to have interviews in January or February and appoint the new president
by March or April.
For more information, contact Ron Paradis, executive director of College Relations,
at 541-383-7599.
September 4, 2018
COCC BOARD RETREAT: SEPT. 7-8
The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) board of directors will hold a board retreat
this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8, at Bend’s Riverhouse on the Deschutes. It
will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and run through 5 p.m.; on Saturday, the day begins
at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at noon. For more information, contact Ron Paradis, executive
director of College Relations, at 541-383-7599.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.