Blues-Rock Virtuoso James Howard Brings Electrifying “Wonder Wednesday: Encore” Performance To Chemeketa (Photo) - 02/25/26

Award-winning guitarist and songwriter delivers an intimate night of soulful vocals, psychedelic roots rock, and masterful musicianship on March 7

Salem, Ore., February 25, 2026 — Chemeketa Community College invites the community to experience an unforgettable evening of blues-rock brilliance as James Howard in Concert takes the stage on March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chemeketa Auditorium (Building 6), located at 4000 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem (Purple Parking Area).

A San Francisco Bay Area native with more than 40 years on stage, James Howard delivers an electrifying live show that blends virtuoso guitar, inspirational vocals, and fearless songwriting. Drawing inspiration from icons such as Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, and Pat Travers, Howard fuses traditional blues with psychedelic roots rock, seasoned with touches of Latin and jazz to create a sound that is uniquely his own.

His accolades include:

• Winner, Washington Blues Society Finals — 2016 & 2023

• Competitor, International Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN
   

• Winner, 2012 Best Blues Guitarist — Lee Ritenour’s Six String Theory Global Guitar Competition
   

• Semi-finalist, Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition
   

Critics consistently praise his artistry:

“What Howard can do with a guitar is remarkable… sweet and brilliant… deep in the well when it comes to guitar wizardry & creativity.” — Delta Snake Daily Blues

“A Jimi Hendrix on guitar with John Lennon’s voice and vision… a songwriter with great depth.” — Rock and Blues News

“Guitarist extraordinaire… a breathtaking exhibition… simply awesome.” — Music Connection Magazine

Now newly relocated to the Willamette Valley, Howard is eager to build a new audience right here at home. This special Wonder Wednesday: Encore performance offers an intimate, immersive concert experience featuring a master musician at the height of his powers.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite:
James Howard In Concert

Community members, music lovers, and blues-rock fans alike are encouraged to attend and experience a night of soulful sound and exceptional musicianship at Chemeketa.

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For more than 55 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 more than 18,000 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.

Chemeketa And AHIVOY Partnership Earns National Recognition From Campus Compact - 02/12/26

Award Highlights Commitment to Vineyard Stewards and Expanding Educational Opportunity in Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley

Salem, Ore., February 12, 2026 — Chemeketa Community College and AHIVOY (Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad) have been recognized nationally with the 2026 Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Award from Campus Compact. The award honors collaborative partnerships between colleges and community organizations that demonstrate meaningful, measurable impact.

The Chemeketa–AHIVOY partnership focuses on expanding access to education and leadership development opportunities for vineyard stewards who are essential to Oregon’s thriving wine industry. Through culturally responsive programming, bilingual outreach, and shared leadership, the partnership works to remove barriers to education and create new pathways for economic mobility in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

“This recognition affirms the power of authentic partnership,” said Dr. Jessica Howard, President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “The work Chemeketa and AHIVOY are doing together is rooted in respect, shared leadership, and a commitment to expanding opportunity for vineyard stewards who are essential to our region’s economy. I am incredibly proud of this team and grateful to our community partners for showing what meaningful collaboration can achieve.”

AHIVOY, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering vineyard stewards and their families, has been instrumental in connecting community members with educational resources, workforce training, and leadership opportunities. Together, Chemeketa and AHIVOY have created programs that support skill development, strengthen workforce pipelines, and uplift the voices of those who work in Oregon’s vineyards.

The award from Campus Compact places Chemeketa among a select group of institutions nationwide recognized for excellence in community engagement. It underscores the college’s commitment to serving the diverse communities of Oregon through education that builds careers and strengthens communities.

Chemeketa Community College offers more than 90 career and technical education programs, transfer degrees, and community education opportunities designed to meet regional workforce needs. Partnerships like the one with AHIVOY exemplify the college’s mission to create equitable pathways to opportunity while supporting industries that are vital to the local economy.

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For more than 55 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 more than 18,000 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.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities that supports, engages, and challenges higher education to realize its public purpose. Campus Compact empowers colleges and universities to advance their academic and civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. Founded in 1985, Campus Compact is the nation's largest and oldest national association solely dedicated to advancing the civic and community engagement mission of higher education. Our members make up a force of thousands of presidents, faculty, researchers, students, and civic and community engagement experts.

Campus Compact envisions colleges and universities as vital agents and architects of a diverse democracy, committed to educating students for responsible citizenship in ways that both deepen their education and improve the quality of community life. We challenge all of higher education to make civic and community engagement an institutional priority. Learn more at compact.org.

Chemeketa Community College Presents The Great American Love Songbook With Tune Tours - 02/04/26

Salem, Ore., January 27, 2026 — Chemeketa Community College invites the community to celebrate Valentine’s season with The Great American Love Songbook with Tune Tours, a romantic live concert taking place at 7 p.m. on February 11 in the Chemeketa Auditorium (Building 6), located at 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE in Salem (Purple Parking Area). Tickets are available now through Eventbrite.

Set the mood for an evening of timeless romance and live music, enhanced by multimedia visuals. This special Valentine’s performance features Tune Tours, a project led by Oregon-based musicians Jon Deshler (trumpet) and Neal Grandstaff (guitar), longtime collaborators known for their expressive performances and deep roots in jazz and the American song tradition.

Joining Deshler and Grandstaff is Finn Yang, a talented young pianist whose musical maturity and sensitivity bring fresh energy to the group. Together, the trio presents a pre-Valentine’s concert inspired by the Great American Love Songbook, featuring classic love songs made famous by legends of jazz and popular music.

Audiences will also enjoy Jon Deshler’s curated multimedia archives of historic jazz performances, showcasing icons such as Chet Baker, Count Basie, and Peggy Lee, creating a blend of live music and visual storytelling. Romantic, swinging, and heartfelt, this concert is the perfect night out for couples, friends, and anyone who loves beautifully crafted songs. Celebrate love with live music that speaks straight to the heart.

Deshler has a longstanding connection to Chemeketa, having performed in the orchestra for the college’s productions of Oliver! and Mary Poppins. He is also the owner of a historic theater in Mt. Angel, further reflecting his deep commitment to the performing arts in the region.

More information and tickets are available through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-american-love-songbook-tickets-1980127642081?aff=oddtdtcreator

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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 18,000 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.

Chemeketa Community College Celebrates CTE Month, Highlighting Career Pathways That Strengthen Communities And Build Family-Wage Careers - 02/02/26

With nearly 90 career and technical education options, Chemeketa prepares students for in-demand jobs while supporting the region’s workforce and economy

Salem, Ore., February 2, 2026 — Throughout February, Chemeketa Community College will celebrate National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month by spotlighting the programs that prepare students for in-demand careers, strengthen local industries, and fuel Oregon’s economy. As a leading provider of workforce education in the Mid-Willamette Valley, Chemeketa’s CTE programs play a vital role in connecting people to opportunity and helping communities thrive.

Career and Technical Education is at the core of Chemeketa’s mission to build careers and strengthen communities. With around 90 CTE program options, students can pursue pathways aligned with their passions and interests while gaining the skills employers are actively seeking. Chemeketa’s CTE offerings span healthcare, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, business, technology, agriculture, transportation, public safety, and other high-demand fields—many leading directly to family-wage jobs.

As part of National CTE Month, the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA), in partnership with Oregon’s 17 community colleges, will host CTE Day at the Capitol on February 18. The event will feature hands-on demonstrations and displays in the East Galleria showcasing how community college CTE programs meet workforce needs across the state. Legislators and members of the public are invited to attend and engage directly with college representatives.

Community college leaders, students, and partners will also be at the Capitol on February 18 to emphasize the importance of maintaining stable funding for community colleges and continued support for the Community College Support Fund. Sustained investment ensures colleges like Chemeketa can continue delivering high-quality workforce training that supports economic mobility and regional growth.

“As the primary workforce training providers in Oregon, community colleges deliver education that is directly connected to jobs,” said Dr. Abby Lee, Executive Director of OCCA. “Community colleges are the backbone of our state’s economy, training the professionals who keep Oregon moving forward. National CTE Month and CTE Day at the Capitol are opportunities to show policymakers and the public how Community Colleges WORK for Oregon by delivering real workforce solutions and supporting local economies.”

At Chemeketa, CTE programs are developed in close partnership with local employers to ensure students gain relevant, hands-on experience and industry-recognized credentials. According to a 2023 Lightcast economic impact study, Oregon’s community colleges generated $9.6 billion in economic impact during Fiscal Year 2021–22 and supported nearly one in every 22 jobs statewide.

“Career and Technical Education changes lives,” said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “Our CTE programs help individuals build meaningful careers that lead to family-wage jobs, while also strengthening the industries and communities we serve. With nearly 90 CTE options, Chemeketa offers pathways that align with students’ passions and goals, whether they are just starting out, retraining for a new career, or advancing in their current field.”

Community members are encouraged to celebrate National CTE Month by learning more about Chemeketa’s CTE programs and following Chemeketa and OCCA on social media throughout February as colleges across the state highlight the people, programs, and partnerships that make Career and Technical Education a powerful engine for Oregon’s workforce.

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For more than 55 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 more than 18,000 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.