Dr. Cathy Kemper-Pelle is a first-generation college graduate who started her post-secondary education at a community college. She transferred to Illinois State University where she earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in Biological Sciences. She conducted marine research for five years at McNeese State University before discovering her passion for teaching. After moving to Texas, she reconnected with her community college roots, serving as a faculty member at Lone Star College for 14 years before realizing that community college leadership was her career horizon. In 2005, she earned her Doctorate in Education at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Community College Leadership. She immediately moved into progressively higher administrative roles that led her to southern Oregon. What drew Cathy to RCC is its reputation for focusing on students, innovation, and managing its resources wisely. She began her presidency at RCC on July 1, 2016.
Rogue Community College (RCC) was established in 1970. It is a regionally accredited, comprehensive, two-year public college serving residents in Josephine and Jackson counties through three campuses: Redwood Campus in Grants Pass, Riverside Campus in downtown Medford and Table Rock Campus--the College's career/technical education (CTE) hub, in White City. RCC offers six two-years degrees, over 59 CTE degrees and certificates and 17 Career Pathway Certificates in addition to Academic Skills, Adult Basic Skills, Continuing Education, a Small Business Development Center, specialized workforce training and a wide variety of Community Education offerings.
In 2015/16, the College served over 16,400 students (9,500 credit students and 6,800 non-credit students). And, nearly half of the credit students were dependent on financial aid or scholarship funds from RCC's Foundation.
RCC students are being placed in local, living wage jobs. Currently some of the region's highest demand is for skilled workers in manufacturing and Allied Health occupations. In 2015 graduates from just seven RCC programs earned $7.3 million dollars in their first year of work. Those graduates earnings ae being spent local, boosting the economy and potentially attracting new industries and business to the southern Oregon region.
www.roguecc.edu
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/roguecc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RogueCommunityCollege
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RogueCommunityCollege
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs3zzKA0wEE1YnE7+KsOhIQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/56662
