Jazz Singer Halie Loren In Concert With The Umpqua Chamber Orchestra And Umpqua Singers On January 30 (Photo) - 01/28/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dr.  Jason A. Heald, Director of Music, Umpqua Community College, 541-440-4693

Jazz singer Halie Loren in concert with the Umpqua Chamber Orchestra and Umpqua Singers on January 30.

WHEN: January 30 at 7:00

WHERE: Jacoby Auditorium on the Umpqua Community College Campus

ROSEBURG, OR - The Umpqua Community College Performing and Visual Arts present Halie Loren in concert with the Umpqua Chamber Orchestra and the Umpqua Singers in Jacoby Auditorium on the UCC Campus. The concert will feature Halie Loren and pianist Matt Treder performing jazz standards and original selections with the UCO and Umpqua Singers.  Admission is at the door, $15.00 general admission, $10.00 seniors; students are admitted FREE. For more information, contact music@umpqua.edu.

Halie Loren is an international, award-winning jazz singer/songwriter. She brings a fresh and original perspective to time-honored musical paths, channeling her innate understanding of connectedness across musical boundaries to forge bonds with diverse audiences in North America, Asia, and Europe. Her multi-genre and multi-lingual musical blend across her ten albums to-date has earned several national and international awards in multiple genres as well as significant critical and chart success along the way, with her albums consistently reaching #1 on the Billboard Japan, iTunes (Canada and Japan) and Amazon jazz charts.

About Umpqua Community College

Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities. For more information, please visit us online at www.umpqua.edu.

UCC Opens Newly Renovated Advanced Manufacturing And Forestry Hub (Photo) - 01/22/26

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Umpqua Community College (UCC) hosted a community open house on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., celebrating the opening of its newly renovated Advanced Manufacturing & Forestry Hub. The event showcased a reimagined learning space designed to support high-demand workforce training in advanced manufacturing, forestry, and emerging technologies.

This milestone represents the culmination of a multi-year effort that began in 2023, when UCC undertook a comprehensive review of its academic programs related to advanced manufacturing, the forest products industry, and forestry. That process was guided by extensive input from major manufacturing and forestry employers across Douglas County, as well as smaller businesses that regularly hire UCC graduates.

The result was a bold re-envisioning of how these programs are delivered—placing greater emphasis on cross-curricular collaboration, alignment with industry needs, and future-focused skill development. As part of this effort, UCC launched two new programs: Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence, expanding opportunities for students to prepare for highly technical, well-paying careers.

Industry partners consistently emphasized the need for high-skilled workers who can design, maintain, program, and service automated machinery that drives modern manufacturing facilities, along with highly competent forestersequipped to support the management and long-term health of forest lands. While Douglas County’s manufacturing sector remains anchored in wood products and mill operations, it is increasingly shaped by automation, advanced software, and AI-enabled systems—requiring a workforce with strong mechanical, engineering, and digital competencies.

At the open house, Allyn Ford, Roseburg Forest Products former CEO and president addressed the guests, “We’re looking to the future. Our industry and everything we’re doing is becoming increasingly complex. The change is taking place so quickly.”

To meet this demand, UCC aligned its Computer Science, Forestry, Virtual Welding, and Engineering programs through shared curricula and collaborative instruction. With the addition of Mechatronics and a certificate in Expert Systems: Artificial Intelligence, the college now offers a comprehensive suite of programs designed to serve the evolving needs of the regional workforce.

“Growing a workforce here has been a challenge in the last thirty years, but Umpqua Community College has really helped out with that challenge,” said Dave Larecy, Con-Vey CEO at the open house event.  “Having programs and facilities like this so you can graduate, continue your education locally and get exciting career opportunities all in your hometown is amazing.” 

More than 350 students are currently enrolled in these program pathways, and the newly renovated facility represents the final stage of this transformative initiative. By repurposing one of the college’s original campus buildings, UCC created state-of-the-art laboratory spaces, a multi-purpose advanced manufacturing learning lab, lecture-theater capacity, and a maker and innovation space open to the entire college community and beyond. The facility was upgraded to meet the significant power and data demands of modern manufacturing education and to inspire students to pursue careers in high-tech industries with strong local employment opportunities.

“This project reflects what’s possible when education and industry work together,” said UCC leadership. “The Advanced Manufacturing & Forestry Hub positions our students—and our region—for long-term success.”

The project was made possible through the generous support and partnership of industry leaders and donors, including:

Nordic Veneer; Roseburg Forest Products; Murphy Company; D.R. Johnson Lumber Company; Lone Rock Resources; Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians; Sierra Pacific Foundation; Con-Vey; FCC Commercial Furniture; The Ford Family Foundation; Great Northern Trailer Works; Douglas County Forest Products; Hal & Paula Ball; Swanson Group; and Lynn Engle.

For more information about UCC’s Advanced Manufacturing & Forestry programs, visit umpqua.edu.

Dave Stricklin Earns 1,000th Career Victory As UCC Defeats Portland Community College (Photo) - 01/20/26

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Umpqua Community College women’s basketball head coach Dave Stricklin recorded the 1,000th victory of his illustrious junior college coaching career on Monday, January 19, 2026, as the Riverhawks defeated Portland Community College, 89-60.

The milestone win comes during Stricklin’s 31st season at Umpqua Community College and his 39th year as a collegiate head coach, underscoring a career defined by longevity, consistency, and sustained excellence.

With the victory, Stricklin becomes one of only five coaches in the history of junior college women’s basketball to reach the 1,000-win mark and just the third active coach nationally to do so. His career record now stands at 1,000–220, good for an 81.9 winning percentage, one of the highest in the sport.

“This milestone is about the players, the assistant coaches, and the people who have believed in what we do here at Umpqua,” Stricklin said. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to coach young women who are committed to excellence on and off the court.”

Among active junior college women’s basketball coaches, Stricklin ranks:

• 3rd in total wins
• 2nd in winning percentage

Among all-time junior college women’s basketball coaches with 1,000 or more wins, Stricklin ranks:

• 5th in total wins
• 2nd in winning percentage

Junior College Women’s Basketball Coaches – 1,000 Career Wins

Active Coaches

• Kim Muhl, Kirkwood CC (IA): 1,057–173 (.859)
• Bob McKinley, Weatherford (TX): 1,035–549 (.653)
• Dave Stricklin, Umpqua CC (OR): 1,000–220 (.819)

All-Time

• Kim Muhl, Kirkwood CC (IA): 1,057–173 (.859)
• Bob McKinley, Weatherford (TX): 1,035–549 (.653)
• David Kragel, Walters State (TN): 1,007–291 (.776)
• Gwyn Young, Copiah-Lincoln (MS): 1,004–306 (.776)
• Dave Stricklin, Umpqua CC (OR): 1,000–220 (.819)

Throughout his three decades at Umpqua Community College, Stricklin has built one of the most consistent and respected programs in the Northwest Athletic Conference. His teams are known for their high scoring offense, high basketball IQ, and a strong emphasis on academic achievement, player development, and community impact.

“Dave’s impact goes far beyond wins,” said Craig Jackson, Director of Athletics at UCC. “For 31 years at UCC and nearly four decades as a head coach, he has shaped generations of student-athletes and elevated Umpqua women’s basketball to a level of sustained excellence that is recognized nationally.”

Umpqua Community College will host a short on-court ceremony honoring Coach Stricklin’s career and historic achievement on Sunday, January 25, at 2:00 p.m. in the UCC Gymnasium. Fans, alumni, former players, and community members are invited to attend and celebrate one of the most accomplished coaching careers in junior college women’s basketball history.

Stricklin’s 1,000th victory further cements his legacy as one of the most successful and influential coaches in junior college women’s basketball.

Roseburg Schools And UCC Partnering On Expanded Healthcare Career Pathways - 01/14/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2026

CONTACTS:
Caroline Samananda, Communications and Marketing Director
Umpqua Community College
(541) 440-7658 | caroline.samananda@umpqua.edu

Chelsea Duncan, Communications Coordinator
Roseburg Schools
(541) 677-4252 | cduncan@roseburg.k12.or.us

Roseburg Schools and UCC Partnering on Expanded Healthcare Career Pathways

ROSEBURG, Ore., January 14, 2026 — The Roseburg Schools Board of Directors will vote tonight on a $2.5 million investment in partnership with Umpqua Community College to support the Welcome Center and Medical Careers Hub currently under construction on UCC’s campus. The investment reflects a broader community development effort to strengthen Douglas County’s economy, improve access to healthcare, and create clear, locally rooted pathways from education to family-wage careers.

The partnership is intended to support learning spaces and programming designed to serve Roseburg High School students pursuing healthcare career pathways. By expanding postsecondary opportunities close to home, the project aligns student success with regional workforce needs and long-term community health outcomes.

Both the UCC and Roseburg Schools Boards of Directors will vote at tonight’s joint meeting to approve a 25-year agreement and programming commitment between the district and college. The agreement recognizes the common goal to provide Roseburg High School students accelerated access to medical career pathways through instructional space incorporated into the UCC Welcome Center and Medical Careers Hub.

With parts of Douglas County designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, local leaders say growing the healthcare workforce from within the community is essential to meeting current demand while ensuring sustainable care for the future.

“This is more than a building; it’s a shared investment in our region’s future,” said Dr. Rachel Pokrandt, president of Umpqua Community College. “By working together, we are strengthening the connection between education, workforce preparation and the health of our community.”

Roseburg Schools Superintendent Jared Cordon said the investment builds on successful collaboration already underway between the district and college. 

“Our students are already completing college-level coursework and earning dual credits while still in high school,” Cordon said. “This project allows us to expand that success and open even more doors that lead directly to family-supporting wage careers and postsecondary education, right here in our community.”

Regional healthcare leaders emphasized the importance of developing local talent pipelines and improving access to care, particularly for rural and underserved populations. Leaders from Aviva Health, CHI Mercy Health and Umpqua Health shared why this investment matters for the long-term strength of local healthcare.

“Caring for everyone depends on having a strong local healthcare workforce,” said KC Bolton, CEO of Aviva Health. “We are helping local students stay local as they train for healthcare careers, which means more talented Douglas County young people staying here to care for their own and stronger access to care for our community in the years ahead.”

“Every day, hospitals across the country feel the impact of staffing shortages in nursing, allied health and support roles,” said Russ Woolley, President, CHI Mercy Health - Roseburg. “This unique collaboration between our school district, community college, and Mercy Medical Center helps ensure we confidently meet growing demand with talent trained right here in our own community. We're excited to support students entering pathways that lead directly to high-impact, deeply meaningful and rewarding careers in healthcare services within our community." 

“Strong health systems begin with strong people, and this partnership builds both,” said Umpqua Health CEO Brent Eichman. “This partnership demonstrates the strong linkage between investments in local education and improved community well-being. We see this as a smart, upstream investment in improving individual and community health.”

This joint initiative reflects a growing integration between Roseburg Schools and UCC. Through dual credit offerings primarily available through UCC, Roseburg Schools saved students and families nearly $900,000 in tuition last school year and is on track to exceed that amount this year. UCC students already graduate with a student loan debt far below the national average, making this an especially smart and sustainable path for local students.

Career pathway coursework also supports student engagement and success. In 2024, Roseburg High School students who completed at least two Career and Technical Education courses graduated at a rate of 95 percent.

Pathways in allied health, engineering, trades, forestry, education and other fields are developed in collaboration with industry partners and aligned to national standards. These pathways continue to evolve as Roseburg Schools, UCC and regional partners identify new opportunities to better connect student learning with workforce needs.

“We don’t have a talent problem in Douglas County, we have a training opportunity,” Cordon said. “This medical center partnership helps ensure our students can become the skilled professionals our local healthcare system and community depend on.”

UCC Board Of Education Meeting - 01/12/26

The Umpqua Community College Board of Education will have an executive session and joint board meeting on January 14, 2026. The executive session will begin at 4:00pm and the joint board meeting will begin at 6:00pm. They wil be held at Roseburg High School. Pertinent meeting information can be found at umpqua.edu/board-meetings.

UCC Woolley Center And Small Business Development Center Have Moved! (Photo) - 01/09/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UCC Woolley Center and Small Business Development Center Have Moved!

Newly Remodeled Downtown Location Expands Access to Education, Career, and Business Support

Roseburg, OR — Umpqua Community College (UCC) is excited to announce that both the UCC Woolley Center and UCC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have officially moved into a newly remodeled downtown UCC building at 729 SE Jackson Street.

The revitalized building features student housing on the upper floors, with the Woolley Center and SBDC located on the main floor, creating a centralized hub for education, workforce preparation, and small business support in the heart of downtown Roseburg.

Start Your Journey at the UCC Woolley Center

The Woolley Center is home to UCC’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) program. Students can start their journey here—whether preparing for college, or a career—the CCR program provides free classes and personalized support for adults sixteen and older looking to take their next step forward.

Students can receive help with:

• Preparing for GED^® exams
• Learning English
• Building math and reading skills
• Exploring college or career pathways with dedicated advisors

There is no cost for College and Career Readiness classes, and with year-round enrollment and flexible scheduling options, students can find a schedule that works for them. 

Woolley Center Contact Information:
Website: https://umpqua.edu/academics/ccr/
Phone: 541-440-4603
Email: woolley@umpqua.edu

Supporting Local Businesses at the UCC SBDC

Also located at the new downtown site is UCC’s Small Business Development Center, part of a state and nationwide network providing business resources both in person and online. The SBDC supports entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses at every stage.

The UCC SBDC offers:

• Live and online workshops
• No-cost, confidential business advising
• Basic and in-depth business fundamentals
• Ongoing, customized strategic planning
• CCB pre-license training and exam preparation
• Real Estate Broker and Property Manager pre-license trainings
• Small Business Management program

Whether you are starting a business, growing to the next level, or planning for succession, the SBDC is here to help.

SBDC Contact Information:
Website:  https://www.umpqua.edu/sbdc
Phone: 541-440-7824
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

Oregon Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and by the Oregon Business Development Department.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact 541-440-7824 to make arrangements.

New Location for Both Centers

729 SE Jackson Street
Roseburg, OR 97470

Together, the UCC Woolley Center and SBDC strengthen access to education, workforce preparation, and business support—helping individuals and communities thrive.

UCC will host an open house later in the winter term to invite the community to tour the new space.

About Umpqua Community College

Umpqua Community College is committed to transforming lives through accessible, high-quality education and workforce training that strengthens individuals, families, and communities.

UCC Performing & Visual Arts Presents The Vintage Singer's Twelfth Night (Photo) - 01/08/26

ROSEBURG, OR - UCC Performing and Visual Arts presents the Vintage Singers performing their 49th annual Twelfth Night concert on January 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. and January 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Roseburg.

The music performance is directed by Donna Spicer and accompanied by Tammy Finch-Johnson and Gwen Soderberg-Chase. This year’s concert will feature music ranging from the Renaissance to present day arrangements of Mele Kalikimaka, Holiday Inn, Angels We Have Heard on High  and other familiar carols. Additional performers include Jeff Plummer and Bob Carwithen on trombone.

Admission is available online or at the door: $15.00 general admission, $10.00 seniors, students are admitted FREE. For more information, contact 541-440-4691 or music@umpqua.edu.