Firefighter in the making

Nayely Contreras had an idea she’d like to pursue a career helping others when she first met with a faculty advisor at Rogue Community College. Maybe nursing, maybe firefighting, maybe even criminal justice. “I was all over the place,” the sophomore recalled. She met with Gary Heigel, chair of the Emergency Services Department, to make a plan. “He helped me out.” Nayely took a few...

Introducing Itskut and Shakshak

GRANTS PASS — Evergreen Federal Bank unveiled the latest addition to its BearFest family today (Oct. 22, 2021) in honor of Rogue Community College’s 50th anniversary. The studious bear, hunched over a book, is accompanied by an osprey pal — the college mascot — with a common interest: “How to Fish.”  The Confederated Tribe of the Siletz Indians participated in naming the pair. Itskut, the...

Student-athlete sets eyes on the future

Rogue Community College center midfielder Rosendo Juarez Flores has his feet on the soccer field and his eyes on the future. The 22-year-old sophomore, who goes by the nickname Pizo, is just four classes away from completing an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree with an interest in pre-professional medicine. Pizo’s career goal is to become a physical therapist. “It took my knee to...

Portrait of Jeff Lang

Lang appointed to RCC Board

The Rogue Community College Board of Education at its Sept. 21, 2021 meeting appointed Central Point banker Jeff Lang to serve as an interim member of the board. Lang will represent Zone 3 of the RCC District, generally described as northwest Jackson County including Central Point, Gold Hill, Rogue River and Sams Valley. The interim appointment runs through June 2023. The Zone 3 position was...

Road to recovery: Design student goes from thinking she’s not ‘smart enough’ to earning honors

Students without a clear sense of what they want out of college often end up either quitting without a degree or spending too much time and money trying to find their way, often racking up loads of student loan debt.  Not at RCC. Our mission is to help students achieve their goals. Our Guided Pathways approach helps students find their path and graduate with the...

Recovery: A Journey That’s Limitless

Michelle Gray, RCC Counseling For people who are overcoming addiction, the work never stops. I have assisted people with acknowledging their addiction, finding help, and supporting them in their recovery. Recovery is limitless because there is no “done” or finish line. Recovery is limitless because there are constantly new opportunities to include in your toolbox and ways to focus your healthy energy and adapt to your new...

RCC to launch boat welding program

Rogue Community College is launching an Aluminum Boat Welder certificate program designed to prepare students for a career with local sport boat manufacturers. Aluminum boat building is a staple industry in the Northwest and especially the Rogue Valley. RCC’s three-term certificate program will allow students to develop an understanding of basic boat building procedures and welding requirements. From basic vocabulary up to fabrication of scale and full-sized boats, students will learn from industry professionals...

Cathy Kemper-Pelle

President Kemper-Pelle announces plan to retire in 2022

In a June 29 message to the campus, Rogue Community College President Cathy Kemper-Pelle announced her plan to retire at the end of June 2022.  “I have thoroughly enjoyed my leadership role at RCC and will miss working with such a stellar group of individuals,” Kemper-Pelle wrote in an email to employees. “However, Rob and I have five grandchildren who have graciously endured a long-distance relationship, and...

RCC mechanical engineering student wins prize at statewide invention competition

A mechanical engineering student from Rogue Community College won the community college division of the InventOR Collegiate Challenge on Friday. It’s the third time in four years RCC students have received the honor, which includes a $1,500 prize.  Cesar Navarrete, 31, of Medford, is developing an exoskeletal hand that could help workers from a wide spectrum of industries with jobs that require significant grip strength....