Meet Our Faculty
Diverse Expertise
Faculty in Forest Resources Technology provide students with industry insights and field-based discovery.
Full-time, tenure-track faculty members/advisers are featured below. Most COCC academic programs include a roster of adjunct and part-time instructors who add diverse expertise and personal experience to the learning environment.
See the Forestry Department Directory for a full listing of staff and faculty.
Faculty Profiles
Bret Michalski
Professor of Forest Technology
Email: bmichalski@cocc.edu
Bret grew up fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping in an outdoors-oriented family. It was only natural that his love for wild places led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from Humboldt State University and a master’s degree in wildlife science from Oregon State University. While graduate teaching at OSU, Bret realized how much he enjoyed interacting with students and decided to combine his love of teaching with his passion for the outdoors.
At COCC since 1994, Bret’s teaching style focuses on experiential learning. Forestry and wildlife labs are a staple in his classes and Bret’s direct experience with the subjects he teaches helps to bring the topics alive for his students.
Rebecca Franklin
Associate Professor of Forest Technology
Email: rfranklin@cocc.edu
Rebecca is the program director for Forest Resources Technology. She teaches courses such as Dendrology, Natural Resource Conservation, and Forestry. During her career, Rebecca has conducted research, field work, or agency work in seven western states and is currently interested in geobotany and endemic trees and plants of Oregon. She received her bachelor’s degree in forestry from Humboldt State University and her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.
Rebecca is committed to creating connections between students and local agency and private industry professionals in outdoor laboratory settings. She has been the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the Society of American Foresters in Central Oregon and promotes student involvement in the local chapter as well as facilitates students attending state and national meetings. Her favorite classes to teach are those that are field-based and place an emphasis on hands-on, decision-building skills.