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UCC president touts dual‑credit growth, new health and technical programs in Roseburg partnership
Summary
Umpqua Community College President Dr. Rachel Portland updated the Roseburg board on expanding dual‑credit participation, new health‑career programs and plans to grow bachelor’s and master’s pathways locally to support regional workforce needs.
Umpqua Community College President Dr. Rachel Portland told the Roseburg Public Schools Board the college is expanding dual‑credit offerings and workforce programs aimed at keeping students local and filling regional healthcare and technical job openings.
Dr. Portland presented enrollment and program data showing dual-credit participation rose from 203 students in 2022–23 to 306 students in 2023–24; she said that increase saved families about $612,000 in tuition last year. Portland framed dual credit and CTE expansion as part of an integrated strategy to provide technical skills and degree pathways that lead to family‑supporting wages.
Portland listed existing and recently added programs available locally: certified nurse assistant (CNA), dental assisting, EMS/paramedic, registered nursing (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), phlebotomy, medical assisting, occupational therapy assisting, surgical technology, apprenticeship pathways, radiology technician and respiratory therapy technician. She said dental hygiene is “coming soon” and described partnerships that let students progress from associate to bachelor and beyond, including a bachelor of science in nursing in partnership with OHSU and a bachelor’s in social work with Idaho State University. Portland also said the college plans a bachelor’s in medical laboratory science with Idaho State and expects to develop master’s and residency programs in clinical fields in partnership with regional providers.
Portland and the board discussed regional workforce shortages. She noted that Oregon’s healthcare sector added 15,000 jobs in one recent year and that, as of January 2025, more than 18,800 healthcare and social‑assistance positions in Oregon were listed as vacancies. Portland described Roseburg and the surrounding area as a federally designated health professional shortage area and said the college meets quarterly with local health providers — including Aviva Health — to ensure clinical placements and program alignment with employer needs.
The superintendent and board members reflected on the partnership’s local value, including shared staff positions and facility efficiencies. Portland emphasized access and pathways, saying: “We take everybody. Everybody that shows up at our door — they’re our students,” and urged the board to continue strengthening integration between the college and the district.
Board members asked for data on how many UCC students live inside the Roseburg district; Portland said she has a map that shows student residence by heat map and offered to provide more precise counts. The board praised UCC’s work and encouraged broader K–12 outreach so younger students and families begin considering career pathways early.
No formal action items or votes were taken on the partnership update during the public portion of the meeting.
