Umpqua Community College and Roseburg schools approve IGA to expand dual-credit medical career pathways

Umpqua Community College and the Roseburg Public Schools on Tuesday approved an intergovernmental agreement to expand dual-credit medical career pathways that officials said will save families money and grow local health workforce capacity.

College and district leaders presented the agreement during a joint meeting at Roseburg High School, describing it as the next evolution of a long-running dual-enrollment partnership. Rachel Porquin, UCC’s president, said the agreement will allow Roseburg High School students to take college-level health programs on UCC’s campus and finish more career-oriented credentials while still in high school. “It is exciting for students and families because it means college and career opportunities with no college debt,” Porquin said.

Why it matters: Leaders framed the IGA as a workforce and community-development strategy. Jared, a college leader who outlined program details, said the partnership could save Roseburg families about $1,000,000 in dual-credit costs this year by reducing redundant coursework and increasing college credit earned in high school. Board members and hospital partners said the program will help recruit and staff specialty services locally, reducing travel for patients and creating more local jobs.

What went into the vote: UCC’s board moved and seconded approval and voted to adopt the IGA; the Roseburg Public Schools board then took the same motion and approved it by voice vote. Both boards’ discussions emphasized the partnership’s benefits for student engagement, career pathways and long-term community retention of health professionals. Jared and Rachel characterized the model as ambitious; Porquin said the colleges and district “believe we are the first in Oregon to create this kind of opportunity.” That statement was presented as the college’s belief and has not been independently verified in the meeting record.

Program details and timeline: Presenters said the agreement will expand medical career pathways including nursing and allied health programs and that students could begin attending on UCC’s campus in 2027. Officials described expected benefits: higher CTE concentrator rates, improved ninth-grade on-track metrics tied to CTE participation, and more dual-credit opportunities baked into students’ school days. The president and college staff also credited local donors and health partners for supporting construction and program start-up.

Next steps: Both boards approved the IGA and expressed enthusiasm; administrative staff will proceed with implementation details, class scheduling and coordination between the college and district. Presenters asked the community and health partners to continue supporting student pipelines and program staffing.

Quotes from the meeting: “When your educational institutions work together, you save taxpayer money and increase opportunity,” Rachel Porquin said in presenting the agreement. Jared added that the work “is a moral imperative for our kids and our community,” and several board members described the vote as a long-term investment in local workforce stability.

Outcome: Both boards approved the intergovernmental agreement on a voice vote during the joint meeting; the record shows unanimous support as stated by the chairs and members during the meeting. The boards did not provide a roll-call tally in the meeting record.

The boards recessed for student awards and later adjourned after completing other business; administrators will continue work on scheduling, staffing and facility preparations for the expanded programs.