As Roseburg School District’s partnerships with Umpqua Community College and local industry leaders continue to grow, we are creating more and more opportunities for students to plan for their most successful futures.

Our staff and educators work every day to help students identify their strengths and passions, align those qualities to the real world, and gain the skills needed to earn a living wage. Career readiness starts early. That’s why we’ve developed special lessons for elementary students that provide hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math. Our young learners take field trips to places like forests and farms, and our teachers incorporate problem-solving challenges into classroom lessons, helping students think critically, collaborate and innovate. By exposing students to these concepts early, we’re helping them see the connection between their education and real-world careers.

Here’s the thing — we want to make sure more students can enter careers and build their lives right here in Roseburg. This community was built on timber, which for generations has shaped our economy. But if we want Roseburg to truly thrive, we must stop exporting our other greatest resource — our talent. 

For too long, we’ve waved goodbye to many of our brightest students, sending them off with scholarships to universities around the country. But what if we also celebrated those who choose to stay? What if we ensured that staying in Roseburg meant access to just as many opportunities as leaving? Everyone in this community invests in our students one way or another. What if we made it possible — and enticing — to retain more of our talented youth so that they can contribute right here at home? 

This is the goal behind our growing career pathway programs. Roseburg High School has long been home to one of the state’s largest Career and Technical Education programs, with established courses in auto, welding, woodworking and more. Now, we’re taking it even further by expanding into new industries, integrating more college credit opportunities, and ensuring these programs directly align with UCC and local employers’ needs.

It’s a win-win: Students graduate ready for careers, earning free college credit toward certifications and degrees while still in high school. Families save on tuition. And local businesses gain the skilled workforce they need to grow.

Our allied health and nursing pathway is the perfect example. Students are starting their medical pathways at RHS with dual-credit courses like medical terminology, health sciences, and anatomy and physiology. They can pursue a range of related careers, such as practical nursing, dental and medical assistant roles, healthcare administration, phlebotomy and occupational therapy. Plans are even in the works to construct a high school healthcare training facility for our students right on the UCC campus. After earning their high school diploma, students can complete their certifications and degrees at the college. 

Employers such as CHI Mercy Health and the VA Roseburg Health Care System are among the partners ready to welcome our talented youth into their facilities to help meet the very serious healthcare needs of our community. Russ Woolley, CEO at Mercy Health, put it perfectly during a recent Career and Technical Education showcase event at RHS. He explained that RHS students can “go directly to UCC and then come out and get hired by Mercy in a very fulfilling, meaningful, high-paying career that serves your community and gives back in a very powerful way.” 

From allied healthcare and advanced manufacturing to fire science and forestry, we’re adding more career pathways for students to choose from. Our pathway guides show students which courses to take and when, with many leading to high-wage careers. You can view these pathway guides on our website here.

Like the beautiful timber we export to build communities beyond Roseburg, we will always support and celebrate students who want to attend traditional universities and pursue opportunities elsewhere. But for those who want to return, and for those who dream of making a difference here, we must ensure they have the education and career opportunities to do so. 

By keeping our top talent in Roseburg, we grow our workforce. We support our families. We invest in our future. When our students succeed here, our entire community thrives.
 
Sincerely,
Jared Cordon
Superintendent
Roseburg School District