Growing Together: Learn More About COCC's Madras Campus Expansion

Join us as we explore the critical need for healthcare and education professionals in rural communities and how COCC's Madras Campus expansion addresses this challenge through the Growing Together campaign. This major venture is set to more than double the campus size, directly addressing shortages in healthcare and early childhood education workers and providing a childcare center for Jefferson County families. Learn about the positive impact on local employment, student benefits, and the strong community partnerships driving this initiative. "COCC's Madras campus expansion is exciting and will impact local students and their families."

🌱 *Growing Together:*
"COCC's Madras campus expansion is exciting and will impact local students and their families."
— Jay Mathisen, Superintendent, Jefferson County School District 509J

"This is going to give students the opportunity to further their careers in Madras and take out some of the barriers of traveling out of town."
— Julie Mitchell, Madras High School Early Education Teacher

"Those who aren't able to commute all the way to Bend will be able to have the opportunity to achieve their career goals."
— Johana Miranda Chacon, COCC Graduate and Culver Resident

"The COCC Madras expansion is a great thing for our community. More opportunities to learn here at home mean greater ease and convenience for students, helping people stay within their community."
— Kelly Simmelink, Jefferson County Commissioner

"We know there is a huge demand for workers in the early childhood field, and this partnership will allow us to help grow the field of providers along with providing examples of best practices for early childhood services."
— Teresa Martin, Executive Director of The Children's Learning Center in Madras

"Recruiting and retention in rural areas is an ongoing challenge. This investment is going to help us ensure we have more resources in the community to continue to provide exceptional care well into the future."
— Shannon Edgar, Chief Nursing Officer for Madras and Prineville, St. Charles Health System

📊 *Impact by the Numbers:*
❍ 58 additional health career students earning credentials annually
❍ 30 educators trained per year through the Early Childhood Education program
❍ 100 child care spots available for the community, including COCC student parents
❍ 80 additional staff and students benefiting from on-site early learning college credits over the first four years
❍ 20 Full-time jobs added by The Children's Learning Center at the new on-site child care center.

📢 Don't forget to *subscribe* for more updates on Central Oregon Community College!

#Healthcare #Education #CommunityCollege #RuralDevelopment #COCC #MadrasCampus #GrowingTogether #Nursing #MedicalAssistant #EarlyChildhoodEducation #JeffersonCounty #OregonEducation #LocalOpportunities