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Central Oregon Community College to expand Madras campus; nursing and childcare tracks to start this fall
Summary
COCC president Greg Pereira told commissioners the Madras campus expansion is on schedule for a 2026 opening; fall cohorts for nursing and medical assisting begin Sept. 22 with construction move‑in to follow in January 2026.
Greg Pereira, the new president of Central Oregon Community College, told the Jefferson County Board on Sept. 3 that the college has made a major investment in the Madras campus and that enrollment is rising.
"We've made a significant investment in our Madras campus," Pereira said, noting the expansion will add nursing and childcare programming. He said enrollment is up 9.3% over the previous year and that the nursing cohort is full. Pereira said the expansion construction is on track for early 2026 and that students will begin classes in temporary facilities for the fall term (Sept. 22) while the new building is completed.
Commissioners welcomed the investment and tied the college expansion to workforce and childcare needs in the county. Staff discussed coordination with local hospitals and schools and invited the college to coordinate a ribbon‑cutting once construction completes.
COCC officials said additional details about program capacities and a ribbon‑cutting will be announced as the project advances; the college also committed to meet again in person later this month.
