Newly elected ASUCC Vice President shares her unexpected path to student leadership
Life is a journey, and no matter how meticulously one plans, the pandemic has taught us we can never plan for everything. Roseburg native, Melissa Wilkins, a nursing student and newly elected ASUCC vice president, knows this truth all too well. “I started UCC originally at the end of 2018.Continue Reading
ASUCC elections update: Positions need filled
Graduation is fast approaching and the end of spring term is on many students’ minds, but the student government election results are not to be overlooked. This election ASUCC had four applicants apply for three positions. Two applicants applied for vice president and the applicant not elected into office by studentsContinue Reading
Student overcomes trauma and COVID-19 to earn her first degree
A few inches under five feet tall, Ayleen Pfeiffer is a nearly 30-year-old who is often mistaken for a high school student both on and off campus. Frequently silent and noticeably petite, it could be easy for some to underestimate the strength and perseverance that she has shown through herContinue Reading
Change doesn’t wait: Student overcomes stress, health issues to graduate this year
Life changes in unexpected ways, but for UCC student and library worker Ashley Swearingen, change happened fast and derailed her life. While striving toward her goal of working in a museum living in Portland three years ago, Swearingen began having severe migraines, neck pain, and vertigo likely related to aContinue Reading
Nontraditional student fuses passion for music with engineering
Outstanding Student Award recipient and engineering transfer student, Hector Cardenas, does not relish the spotlight. When he was nominated for an outstanding student achievement award, some aggressive cajoling was involved to convince this remote student to drive from his present home in Portland to attend the 2022 student achievement ceremony atContinue Reading
The success story of Vyla Grindberg: How a student became a teacher
A 2020 UCC graduate who is regarded by many as a friend, fierce protector of human rights and hard worker extraordinaire became a 2022 UCC teacher this spring. Vyla Grindberg, the spring GIS 235 instructor, moved to Douglas County in June of 2018 to be closer to family and startContinue Reading
Three student nominees announced for Harry Jacoby Award
A singular exceptional student is chosen every year for the Harry Jacoby award at UCC. Named after former UCC President Jacoby, who was president from 1964-1975, this award is given to an exceptional student who excels beyond academics. The award is chosen by a faculty led committee made up ofContinue Reading
Summer classes open: Should I register?
Summer classes at UCC are now open for registration. These classes are helpful for those who need extra credits to graduate on time or who want to get ahead in their degree. Summer classes are slightly condensed to eight weeks each to compensate for the shorter time frame. Many studentsContinue Reading
Tuition increases will occur for next three years
Tuition increases will take place over the next three years at UCC, eventually reaching an increase at $120 by fall 2024. This means all students will pay $120 per credit in addition to their pre-existing fees. Currently, tuition is $104. Although the current plans for tuition will increase to $120Continue Reading
Stand up, speak out, get help: Instructor, student rapport needed
Building rapport with professors may sound challenging to some students or inconsequential to others, but this communication is considered a tool for student achievement. “By forming a bond with a professor, students are more likely to access the informative, helpful guidance most teachers are willing to offer,” reports an article byContinue Reading
ASUCC prepares for next year with elections for the 2022-20223 student leadership team
The Associated Students of Umpqua Community College leadership team is currently holding elections for officer positions. ASUCC plans and executes weekly events on campus, confers with planning committees and actively influences the campus learning environment. Known as student government, this collective of students is responsible for the myriad of activitiesContinue Reading
Microbiomes: Listen to your gut. Literally!
Our stomachs talk to our brain more even than our brain talks to our bodies, but are we listening? If we don’t, it’s detrimental to our mental, emotional and physical health, according to representatives from UC-VEG and nutrition authorities. “Your gut is connected to your brain in a way thatContinue Reading
Pandemic’s impact: How is student engagement different?
The fight against the coronavirus pandemic is far from over in a world that has become increasingly confusing for students because, in some ways, student lives look the same while, in other ways, many facets of life are unrecognizable compared to pre-pandemic normalcy. The way we engage with the schoolContinue Reading