09.03.08
Posted in Front page, news at 11:16 am by Eric
Chemeketa Community College is hosting a free information session about its Evening and Weekend College Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.Light refreshments will be served and prospective students can learn about class offerings, consult with an advisor and schedule placement tests all in one streamlined evening.
Chemeketa’s expanded weekend offerings in math, science and writing will allow students to get the education they need – at times when it’s convenient – to achieve their career goals.
“Working adult students have multiple demands on their time including job commitments and parenting responsibilities. Evening and weekends are often the only available times they can attend classes. At Chemeketa, we want to make education a workable part of their life,” Barry said.
Many employers provide tuition reimbursement for full-time employees attending evening and weekend classes. Working in partnership with such businesses, Chemeketa can educate and develop employees at any level.
For more information about programs, contact Evening and Weekend College office at 503-399-6564.
Click here to visit the Evening and Weekend College website.
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09.02.08
Posted in Front page, news at 1:53 pm by Eric
A $540,000 congressionally-directed grant recently awarded to Chemeketa Community College will allow the college to purchase new training equipment for its health sciences programs.
The grant will be used to purchase interactive, pediatric simulation manikins, electronic infusion pumps and EKG units, X-ray and pharmacy equipment for training students in fields such as nursing, dental assisting, dental hygiene, and pharmacy tech. Much of the new equipment will be in use at the college by spring 2009.
“It’s a huge boost for our health sciences students who will be entering the workforce more prepared than ever,” said Kay Carnegie, associate dean of the Chemeketa health sciences program.
The grant will have a substantial impact on Chemeketa’s pharmacy technician students. The pharmacy tech program started in fall 2007 with just 12 students, but is already enrolled to capacity for the coming fall term. The grant will pay for the purchase equipment used in preparing medications.
A significant portion of the grant will be used to purchase equipment used by students studying dental hygiene and dental assisting. Chemeketa is partnering with the Oregon Institute of Technology to offer a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.
Chemeketa officials had to demonstrate a regional impact as part of the grant process, and the success of Chemeketa’s health science programs, like pharmacy tech, made that an easy challenge to meet.
“We already have a growing demand for graduates in pharmacy tech, and the new equipment will likely allow grads an opportunity for state of the art training which will make their transition into working at any pharmacy in the state much easier,” Carnegie said.
The need for new equipment is also based on changing industry trends. Once upon a time, nursing students had more training time in hospitals, but opportunities for those hands-on experiences are waning as more and more patients receive care in-home, Carnegie said.
Grant funds will come from the federal Fund for Improving Post-Secondary Education, a U.S. Department of Education Program. Cheryl Roberts, Chemeketa president, thanked Rep. Darlene Hooley for the significant role she played in the grant process.
“Without Rep. Hooley, Chemeketa would likely have had a more difficult struggle to secure this much-needed training equipment,” she said.
Roberts also thanked the community for their reinvestment in Chemeketa’s promises, to provide affordable higher education to all and strengthen Oregon’s economy, with the passage of the college’s May bond measure.
“New facilities and new equipment for our health sciences programs will allow us to continue meeting increasing demands for highly-trained employees in these high-wage fields,” Roberts said.
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08.13.08
Posted in Front page, news at 2:10 pm by Eric
Enrollment at Chemeketa Community College grew by more than 11 percent during the 2007-08 academic year.
The number of individuals taking a class from the Chemeketa grew from 64,269 to 71,636. While enrollment in traditional classes grew by 11.1 percent, most of the growth took place online. Online classroom enrollment grew by 18.6 percent.
“It’s a sign of the tough economic times and the complexities of people’s lives”, said Cheryl Roberts, Chemeketa president. “With fuel costs and prices for other necessities on the rise, it’s no surprise to find enrollment in our online courses growing by leaps and bounds,” Roberts said. “Fortunately, we’re already discussing ways to expand online offering and examine alternative on-campus class scheduling while putting an emphasis on meeting the changing needs of our student body.”
Chemeketa’s student body grew by more than 1,200 students between winter and spring terms, an increase of approximately 4.5 percent. It was the fourth consecutive quarter that enrollment grew.
“It is always a challenge to meet the new demands placed on community colleges when the country’s economy falters, but the residents of our service area renewed their support for the Chemeketa promises at the ballot box. With their continued support there’s no obstacle we can’t overcome,” said Roberts.
In May, voters approved a $92 million bond levy that will be used to construct new facilities and update older ones to better serve and support Chemeketa students. Planning for the facilities – which include a health sciences complex in Salem, a public safety training facility in Brooks and a new McMinnville campus – is already underway.
During economic downturns, community colleges are often the primary resource for job hunters seeking training or new skills in trades and industry, computer technology and business administration, among other programs.
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08.07.08
Posted in Front page, High School, Middle school, news at 9:54 am by Eric
Chemeketa Community College’s TRiO Talent Search program is now accepting new applicants.
The program is designed to provide a path for middle and high school students into higher education through college visits and time with mentors and staff who assist students in applying for college scholarships and financial aid. The program is funded through a federal grant and assists low income-youths, attending grant schools, whose parents have not attained a four-year degree. Students with other backgrounds are considered based on rural isolation.
Students from North Salem, McKay, Gervais and Santiam high schools, and Parrish, Houck, Stephens, Waldo, Gervais and Mill City Middle Schools are eligible to apply.
Contact Susan McCaffrey at 503-589-7620 to request an application, or download one online at http://www.chemeketa.edu/services/services/cap/resources.html.
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08.05.08
Posted in Front page, Sports, news at 8:00 am by Eric
Lynn Freshour recently joined Chemeketa Community College as its new women’s basketball coach.
Freshour most recently served as athletic director at North Salem High School, but the chance to return to coaching was too tempting to pass up.
“Coaching at the college level has always been a dream of mine,” said Freshour. “It’s also an exciting time to be part of Chemeketa as we head in new directions under President Cheryl Roberts.”
Athletic scholarships provided by Chemeketa should help attract some of the area’s top talent, and Freshour sees talent as key to his plans.
“I want to build a Chemeketa dynasty within the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges,” he said. “The high schools in our area produce fantastic players who have the skill to take Chemeketa to the top of the division.”
Freshour is a former coach of girls basketball teams at North Salem and West Salem high schools. As head coach at Amity High School, Freshour led nine girls basketball teams to the state tournament.
Cassie Belmodis, Chemeketa athletic director, is eager to see Freshour’s vision come to life on the court.
“He brings an excitement and passion to the game of basketball that we are sure, will carry over to the women’s basketball program. His years of success and experience as a coach, athletic director, and involvement in community sports will be an asset to his team and the Storm Athletic Department,” she said.
Women’s basketball is one of several athletic programs at Chemeketa that include women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s basketball, baseball and softball. Chemeketa’s sports programs have retained more than 95 percent of their athletes for two years, 90 percent continue their education at four-year institutions.
For more information about the women’s basketball program, contact Freshour at 503-399-5053, or Cassie Belmodis at 503.399.5159 or cassieb@chemeketa.edu.
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08.04.08
Posted in Front page, news at 9:07 am by Eric
Chemeketa Community College President Cheryl Roberts received a unanimous vote of confidence from the school’s Board of Education at its latest meeting Wednesday, July 30.
Board members rated Roberts on her education planning and leadership, management style, business and finance, and relationships with constituents, the community and college personnel as part of its annual performance review.
“I am privileged to serve as president of a college who takes seriously its promise to this community of transforming lives through education. It’s a relief to know I’ve performed to the standards expected of me and I thank the board members for the objectivity in the evaluation,” said Roberts.
Ron Pittman, chair of the Board of Education, cited Roberts for her ability to project a vision for Chemeketa’s future and for the implementation of the Chemeketa Scholars program. Under the Chemeketa Scholars program, graduating high school students with a grade point average of 3.5 or better are awarded two years of free tuition.
She was commended for leadership in garnering support for the college’s recent bond measure and given an overall rating of “excellent.” Roberts’ is completing her first year as Chemeketa president.
“It has been an extraordinary year, and I am keenly aware of all the people who contributed to our success,” Roberts said. “I especially appreciate that our achievements were based on decades of excellent work by past and present staff and board members, and I look forward to continuing to build on their legacy.”
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07.28.08
Posted in Front page, news at 11:31 am by Eric
Chemeketa recently released its academic honors list for spring term 2008:
Names of honor roll students can be found here.
Dean’s list honorees can be found here.
Names of students who earned a spot on the president’s list can be found here.
Congrats to all.
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07.16.08
Posted in Art, Front page, Student work, news at 11:25 am by Eric
Chemeketa’s art program just launched their newly redesigned website. It can be found at art.chemeketa.edu. Also, make sure to visit the new art gallery website at artgallery.chemeketa.edu.
Also, a huge “Thank You” to Erasmo Giron, a recent grad of the Chemeketa visual communications program, who put it all together for us.
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07.10.08
Posted in Front page, Student news, news at 12:28 pm by Eric
The Ford Foundation recently announced its 2008-09 scholarship recipients and nine Chemeketa students made the cut.
Mark Easbey, Dana Fredrickson, Deanna Leasia, Sybil Morris, Ruby Moon, Peggy Ring, Peggy Spinks, and Sonya Witherspoon were all awarded new scholarships by the Ford Foundation Opportunity Fund. Janean Douglass, Julie Jackson, and Benjamin Lalonde, Corinne McCloud and Patricia Rodriguez were awarded restarts on their existing scholarships.
Each scholarship covers 90 percent of a student’s total cost of attending college.
Congrats to all our scholarship winners and special thanks to Janie Allen, Deirdre Echols, Mike Evans and Roger Sauer all of whom help shepherd the scholarship winners through the application process.
For more information about Ford Family Foundation scholarships, click here.
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06.27.08
Posted in Events, Follow-up, Front page, Pictures, news at 9:29 am by Eric
Chemeketa Community College held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Center for Business & Industry (CCBI) Thursday, June 26.
The four-story, 50,000 square foot structure will be located at 626 High Street N.E., Salem. The Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), the lead economic development agency for Marion and Polk Counties, will also be relocating to the new facility.
“This is an exciting time for Chemeketa and our service district,” said Diane McLaran, CCBI director. “The new facility will help us expand our services to the business communities of Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.”
The new space will include video conferencing areas, an executive briefing room, computer labs, interactive “smart” rooms, and it will conform to some of the highest environmental standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Space is available for lease within the building for organizations that are focused on strengthening business and industry.
“Our services are designed to help businesses meet the needs of the 21st Century workforce through state-of-the-art training and technology and business-related programs,” said McLaran.
The estimated cost of construction for the building is $9,450,000. Construction is expected to be complete by August 2009.
“Just as Chemeketa has done before, the Center for Business & Industry will be built without using bond funds,” said Chemeketa President Cheryl Roberts. “Taxpayers will not see their taxes increase because of this building. Instead, we are relying on alternative funding, including college operating funds and lease payments and day-use fees from individuals and organization using the center. I think this is another example of the college and its Board of Education making careful and prudent use of college resources. With this building, the college excited about strengthening business development in the tri-county region.”
CCBI, currently housed at 365 Ferry Street S.E. in Salem, serves Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties with small business development programs and services, computer workshops, and customized trainings.
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