Student Stories
Oscar Tovar
Psychology graduate
Bachelor’s degree candidate, psychology, University of Oregon
Oscar Tovar found a well-defined career path at COCC — but it was not the one he'd planned on.
"I'd always had an interest in psychology, so I went into COCC with the intention of pursuing a psychology degree on a pre-med track, as I intended to do psychiatry," he says. But Tovar was quickly fascinated with research and advocacy surrounding mental health. His professors took note and helped him redefine his goal — which even included a personalized career Powerpoint.
"I am planning to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, which is something I had never considered until discussing it with (professors) Matthew Novak and Andria Woodell. I realized this path checked literally all of the boxes," he says. "I would love to focus specifically on the research portion of the field with a specialization in OCD, and I would also love to keep working in universities, and perhaps become a professor in my future."
"Today, I am truly proud of my accomplishments — something I would have never thought myself saying."
Now a Wayne Morse Scholar at the University of Oregon, Tovar is enjoying his studies and even leading some classes through the school's peer lab leaders program. He says he never would have considered participating in these kinds of opportunities if not for the fortifying experiences he had at COCC.
Confronting his shyness and gaining confidence at COCC, he became an active member of the COCC Psychology Journal Club and served on the senior leadership team for Central Oregon Psychology Enthusiasts, an organization of COCC students and alums. For his exemplary community engagement and academic performance, Tovar was named both an All-Oregon Academic Team member and a Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar — one of just 50 such scholars in the country.
"I came to COCC without much of an idea of how my time here would shape me," he shares. "Today, I am truly proud of my accomplishments — something I would have never thought myself saying. Now I see in myself a student who is confident in their abilities and a person who does not fear failure."
Samantha Van Doren, Ph.D.
Psychology graduate
Medicaid Research Assistant, PacificSource Health Plans
As a research specialist for PacificSource, Samantha Van Doren, Ph.D., generates Medicaid-specific summaries that impact community wellness in Oregon, such as pinpointing social programs that help those in need pay their electric bills. As a remote instructor with Capella University, Van Doren brings research-aimed insights into advanced statistics courses with that school's doctoral psychology program. Van Doren's two paired professional roles blend research, advocacy, and psychological science — all connected to supporting the healthy lives of others.
It's a gratifying career, one that Van Doren traces back to a foundational start at COCC. "I did not know how many different directions I could go with psychology until I went to COCC. And I chose COCC initially because it was affordable while I explored different fields and decided what I wanted to focus on," they say. Van Doren quickly tapped into an interest in psychology but didn't want to be on the counseling side of the field. Instructors helped them narrow down their interests, providing support inside and outside the classroom.
"I felt connected to something bigger than my community college classroom."
"Not only were my professors dedicated to teaching me psychology, but I also felt like they were truly invested in my personal success," adds Van Doren, who ultimately earned a bachelor's in psychology at Oregon State University and master's and doctorate degrees at Capella University.
"I know that COCC was a cornerstone of my success in getting to where I am today and in where I will be in my future. I think the most impressive piece to me was that I was able not only to learn psychological concepts, but also to feel connected to the field of psychology as a whole. I felt connected to something bigger than my community college classroom."