Celebrate the holiday season with a heartwarming live performance of Vince Guaraldi’s timeless jazz soundtrack, featuring fresh interpretations and festive surprises.

Salem, Ore., Month Day, Year — Chemeketa Community College  invites you to celebrate the holiday season with The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas, a live performance that brings Vince Guaraldi’s iconic soundtrack to life.

First airing on December 9, 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas quickly became a holiday classic, beloved for its heartwarming story of a boy, his humble Christmas tree, and the true spirit of the season. Just as memorable as the story itself is the show’s unconventional and genre-defying soundtrack, penned by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. Featuring original compositions and reimagined holiday classics, Guaraldi’s music continues to enchant audiences of all ages.

This live performance honors the spirit of Guaraldi’s original work while adding fresh interpretations, extended improvisations, and unique sonic textures. The trio—featuring Nathan Olsen on keyboards, Jarred Venti on bass, and Mark Powers on drums and percussion—promises an unforgettable evening of music.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, December 20
• Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Location: Chemeketa Auditorium, Building 6, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem
• Tickets:
  • General Admission: $25
  • Senior: $20
  • Student: $15
  • Day-of: $30 (+fees)
  • VIP Experience: $40 (includes pre-show reception with the band at 6:45 PM, light hors d'oeuvres, and drinks)

Purchase Tickets:
Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.

For More Information:
Contact the Chemeketa Ticket Info Line at 503-399-6980.

Join us for this festive celebration and let the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas fill your heart with holiday cheer. Chemeketa Community College is delighted to offer this special performance as a gift to our community, along with warm wishes for the holiday season.

Grant will fund innovative programs in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology to address workforce gaps and expand opportunities for underserved communities.

Salem, Ore., November 22, 2024 — Chemeketa Community College is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of three Workforce Ready grants, part of the Future Ready Oregon initiative administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). These grants are designed to drive transformative changes in education and workforce development, prioritizing equitable access to careers in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and beyond.

Funded by the 2022 Oregon Legislature through Future Ready Oregon, this $200 million statewide investment is dedicated to creating innovative education and training opportunities that address barriers to participation and career advancement for historically underserved communities. The Workforce Ready Grants specifically target industries critical to Oregon’s economy: healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.

Chemeketa  Future Ready Grant Projects

Healthcare: Accelerating Pathways to Nursing Careers

Chemeketa’s innovative LPN-to-RN program will enable Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to advance to Registered Nurse (RN) status through a hybrid model that allows participants to work and earn income while completing clinical requirements. This program reduces barriers for working professionals, such as primary caregivers, and utilizes a paid clinical model inspired by successful apprenticeship programs in other fields.

“By offering a pathway for LPNs to advance their careers while continuing to work, this program empowers participants to overcome traditional barriers to professional growth,” said Sandie Kellogg, Dean of Health Sciences at Chemeketa. “This grant will help us significantly increase participants’ earning potential and provide Oregon’s healthcare industry with a skilled workforce.”

Manufacturing: Mobile Learning Lab

In collaboration with the Mid-Willamette Education Consortium (MWEC), Chemeketa will introduce a Mobile Learning Lab equipped with state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) simulators. These tools will provide hands-on training in manufacturing skills such as welding and equipment operation, offering industry certifications like OSHA 10 and pre-apprenticeship credentials. The project promotes cultural inclusivity through partnerships with local organizations and prioritizes equity in manufacturing education.

“MWEC is thrilled to receive the Future Ready Oregon grant to bring Mobile Learning Labs for Manufacturing to our region,” said Debbie Johnson, High School Partnerships at Chemeketa. “This support empowers us to provide hands-on, industry-aligned learning experiences directly to students and communities. With these labs, we’re not just expanding access to manufacturing education—we’re building pathways to high-demand careers and helping shape a skilled workforce ready for Oregon’s future.”

Technology: Expanding Cybersecurity and Information Systems Pathways

With support from this grant, Chemeketa will launch tuition-free Computer Information Systems (CIS) Certificate programs, including cybersecurity coursework and a new Tech Support Specialist Apprenticeship. These programs aim to recruit underrepresented students and provide wraparound support services, positioning participants for success in high-demand technology fields.

“The Future Ready Oregon Grant allows us to provide no-cost courses, hire additional faculty, and offer specialized support services,” said Dr. R. Taylor, Executive Director of Business Programming at Chemeketa. “These initiatives will remove financial barriers and create equitable access to education for students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.”

In addition, Chemeketa will partner with other Mid Willamette Valley Future Ready grant recipients on these projects:

Western Oregon University Bilingual Behavioral Health Initiative 

The program will also support students in Chemeketa Community College’s Behavioral Health program, Western Oregon University’s Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program, and the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. The community-based organization Interface Network will assist in recruiting students and helping them overcome barriers that affect their ability to earn their degrees, such as lack of childcare, transportation, and technology.

Latinx Workforce Development: Unidos Bridging Community Collaboration

In partnership with Unidos Bridging Community, Chemeketa will expand the Level Up program, providing Latinx youth with paid internships, employability skills training, and pathways to manufacturing careers. Participants will receive culturally tailored mentorship and wraparound support services, ensuring program completion and long-term career success.

Reducing Recidivism: Workforce Training for Incarcerated Individuals

In collaboration with the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) and SEDCOR, Chemeketa will offer manufacturing education and workforce training to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. This initiative will provide wraparound supports and industry-specific certifications, reducing recidivism and creating pathways to self-sufficiency.

About the Workforce Ready Grant

The Workforce Ready Grant represents a $95 million investment through three rounds of funding under Future Ready Oregon. This third and final round allocates $42 million to innovative programs that prioritize equitable workforce development in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.

Chemeketa Community College is honored to join the ranks of grant recipients working to strengthen Oregon’s workforce and economic competitiveness. This funding underscores the college’s commitment to providing transformative education and creating opportunities for all.

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For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 17,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

Three-year grant will enhance services, foster belonging, and improve outcomes for student veterans.

Salem, Ore., Month Day, Year — Chemeketa Community College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a highly competitive Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This $499,969  grant, is a testament to the exceptional work of Angela Archer, Associate Dean of Academic Advising and First Year Programs and her team in growing the Chemeketa Veterans Resource Center and expanding support for student veterans.

The funding will allow Chemeketa to be recognized for their excellence in service to student veterans and to enhance its support services for veterans through a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of this vital student population. The grant will fund:

• A Full-Time Veterans Center Coordinator to oversee services and initiatives.
• Green Zone Training for faculty and staff to increase awareness of the challenges faced by veterans.
• Supplies for Student Support to assist veterans in achieving academic and personal success.

The new Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success will serve as a model program further strengthening Chemeketa’s commitment to supporting veterans and their families.

Transforming Veteran Support Through Innovative Programs

Through this grant, Chemeketa Community College will enhance support for those who have honorably served our country. This funding will allow us to boost student veteran success and graduation rates by fostering meaningful peer connections and providing access to comprehensive services both on campus and within the communities we serve. Additionally, we will equip our faculty and staff with specialized training to better understand the unique challenges and barriers student veterans face as they transition to civilian life, ensuring they receive the support and resources they deserve.

A Commitment to Equity and Success

As a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a leader in community college education, Chemeketa’s efforts through this grant align with its mission to promote equity, access, and success for all students. The program addresses key priorities by meeting veterans’ social, emotional, and academic needs, increasing postsecondary access and completion rates, and creating a sustainable framework for veteran support.

“This grant underscores Chemeketa’s dedication to providing a welcoming, supportive environment for our student veterans,” said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “We are honored to lead the way in developing a model Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success that will transform lives and build a brighter future for our veterans and their families.”

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For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 30,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

Exhibit of work by an international collaboration of artists in response to the climate crisis

Salem, Ore., November 8, 2024 — Chemeketa Community College’s Gretchen Schuette Gallery is proud to present Alert & Attuned: Attending to Our Climate Emergency, an exhibit showcasing the work of an international group of artists committed to addressing the global climate crisis. The exhibit will be on display from February 18 through March 14, 2025, with an opening reception on Wednesday, February 19, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and is closed on weekends.

This unique exhibition brings together recent works by artists who have been collaborating for years under the mentorship of renowned art duo Rose Shakinovsky and Claire Gavronsky, also known as rosenclaire. The featured artists include Adie Russell, Amanda Engels, Amey Mathews, Angela Rose Voulgarelis, Briele Hansen, Bridget Rountree, Cathrine Raben Davison, Cathrine Rave, Coral Woodbury, Dana Dirker, Diane Jacobs, Elise Schonhowd, Fletcher Boote, Haley Mellin, Jana Harper, Jessica Houston, Justin Pike, Katie Roberts, Kiran Chandra, Kirsten Stromberg, Laura Mack, Lisa Knoop, Marcia Teusink, Melissa Morris, Nicci Bailey, Regan Wheat, Sarah McDowell, Tanya Gill, Tereza Swanda, Tracy Grubbs, and Tracie Lee, with curators Laura Mack, Tereza Swanda, Dana Dirker, and Amey Mathews.The exhibit aims to address the urgent need for environmental consciousness and action. Through a range of artistic expressions, the show reflects on the interconnected survival of our planet and its inhabitants. Some works in the exhibit confront the viewer with the stark realities of the climate emergency, while others offer pathways toward healing and encourage a shift in perspective as a way forward. The title, Alert & Attuned, embodies this dual approach of awareness and active engagement.

“In the spirit of collective perspectives and respect for our ancestors, these artistic expressions are interdependent rather than individualistic,” say the curators. “We have developed this exhibit in partnership with our planet, carefully considering factors such as the carbon footprint of shipping, printing, or recreating certain works onsite, and display choices to support sustainability when organizing contributions from international artists.”

The exhibit also offers a unique educational component, connecting contemporary pieces to their art historical roots. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the movements and artists that have inspired and influenced the featured works, enriching the experience and fostering a deeper understanding of the art’s relevance to our current environmental challenges.