News

There are many reasons to attend Columbia Gorge Community College. We have great instructors, the cost is much less than a four year school, we have an active student body, we are located in a beautiful area. The list goes on, but the main reason for most of us is a practical one, to acquire an education that will result in a good paying job. CGCC’s Nursing and Health Occupations programs are exceptional, and jobs are waiting for those who complete them. There is a shortage of Registered Nurses right now, and according to Dr. Beverly Malone that statistic isn’t changing anytime soon. “With upcoming RN retirements amidst today’s nursing shortage, it is expected that our nation will need 1.13 million new RNs by 2022. Plus, there will be a need for 35 percent more faculty members to meet the demand for nurses.” This translates into being able to find a job locally or anywhere in the country should you need to relocate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook states: “Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increase emphasis on preventive care; growing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population, as they live longer and more active lives.”

There are some exciting changes happening at CGCC this year and that includes the bookstore. In 2010 the bookstore expanded from a one room storage closet to a retail store to provide textbooks, art supplies, apparel, office supplies and sundries for our students and staff. In those days students had very little options when it came to buying textbooks. Most of the textbooks that were adopted for classes were new. The College contracted with an outside buyer for book buy back, but students only got  pennies on the dollar, one of the first changes we made was to start buying books back from students who had purchased from us and giving them roughly fifty percent back.

Camp Arrowhead, Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, is hosting a hiring event to recruit for multiple positions, including Cook, Counsloer, Kitchen Aid, and Program Specialist, and more!

Prospective students will have the opportunity to learn about education and training programs, scholarships, other financial aid, and participate in college campus tours in Hood River and The Dalles during “Discover CGCC” activities continuing through May.

“Discover CGCC” events are on The Dalles Campus in Building 3 on April 11 and May 16 from 6 to 8 pm; and on the Hood River – Indian Creek Campus April 12 and May 17 from 6 to 8 pm.

CGCC and The Dalles Blue Zones Project are excited to announce Blue Zones Week, happening April 9-12. Blue Zones Project-The Dalles is a health and well-being effort working to make the healthy choice the easy choice for people in The Dalles. Columbia Gorge Community College desires to be a champion of well-being for the benefit of our students, faculty and staff, and our communities. Thus, we have teamed up to offer activities and events to help develop healthier habits during Blue Zones Week. For Blue Zones week we will be hosting workshops, cooking demonstrations, and opportunities for movement and connection!

The Office of Science / US Department of Energy is pleased to announce paid internship opportunities for undergraduate students majoring in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for the Fall of 2018. The application system for the 2018 Fall Term Community College Internships (CCI) program is currently open, with all applications due by 05:00 PM Eastern Time on May 30, 2018.

For the past two academic years, CGCC has offered a one-year Web Development Assistant Certificate that provides graduates with the skills needed to assist website developers, an industry that is expected to grow at nearly double the average rate over the next few years. Starting in the 2018/2019 academic year, students can also earn a Web Design Assistant certificate. Because some of the required courses apply to both programs, students have the unique opportunity to earn both certificates by completing the additional coursework needed for the second certificate, thus further increasing their value to potential employers. 

Have you discovered Columbia Gorge Community College?

Prospective students will have the opportunity to learn about education and training programs, scholarships, other financial aid, and participate in college campus tours in Hood River and The Dalles during “Discover CGCC” activities beginning next week.

For sixteen years, Dr. Frank Toda was committed to student success at Columbia Gorge Community College. In December, the Alpha Sigma Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society submitted a nomination for Dr. Toda for the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award for retiring college presidents. The chapter is excited to announce that Dr. Toda has been honored with this award.

The Bennett Awards honor retiring college presidents who have provided consistently outstanding support to Phi Theta Kappa chapters and advisors throughout their careers. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Michael Bennett, longtime president of St. Petersburg College in Florida. Thirteen retiring presidents will be honored with this award in 2018. Award winners will be acknowledged at the annual Phi Theta Kappa convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Phi Theta Kappa is celebrating its 100th anniversary.