Chatting with Chemeketa

From Concert Halls to Safe Halls

Kerry Burtis, Chemeketa's Music Director joins us for the first half of this episode.  Dive into the harmonious world of melodies, instruments, and the incredible talent nurtured within Chemeketa's music program. Kerry will also give us an exclusive glimpse of the thrilling shows lined up for this year. This musical journey promises to strike a chord with your soul.  Later in the episode, we shift gears to focus on campus safety, as we hear from Marshall Roache, Chemeketa's Executive Dean of Career and Technical Education. He reveals the meticulous steps Chemeketa takes to ensure the security and well-being of its campus community.

Unlocking Opportunities: Educating Adults in Custody and Apprenticeships

Unlocking Potential Behind Bars
In our first segment, we're honored to have Chris Kato, the Dean of Academic Development and Corrections Education at Chemeketa Community College, as our guest. Chris takes us on a profound journey into the positive societal impact of education for incarcerated adults. Learn how providing education behind bars can break the cycle of incarceration and open doors to brighter futures.
Crafting Careers through Apprenticeships
But the excitement doesn't stop there! We're also joined by Francisco Saldivar, Chemeketa's dynamic new Director of Apprenticeship. Francisco shares insights into Chemeketa's groundbreaking apprenticeship program, a game-changer for those seeking to acquire valuable skills in the trades and launch rewarding careers.
 

College Affordability and Student Success Programs

In this episode, Jessica and Les discuss College Affordability, Costs of textbooks, and what Chemeketa is doing to keep college costs within reach for everyone with Chemeketa Press Director director, Abbey Gaterud, and faculty member Patricia Antoine.  Later in the program, Liliana Landa-Villalba shares what three special student service programs are doing to help students achieve their college goals!  

Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Pre-Apprenticeship

In this episode, Jessica and Les discuss two very special TRIO programs, Upward Bound and Talent Search with the programs' director, Lino Solomon.  Later in the program, Frosti Adams, who heads up Chemeketa's pre-apprenticeship program, shares about incredible opportunities for discovering the trades and gaining valuable experience.

From Common Course Numbering to using Data to Make Informed Decisions

In this episode, Les and Jessica discuss common course numbering with faculty member Traci Hodgson, and how this will benefit students transferring to other Oregon institutions of Higher Education.  Later in the show, Colton Christian, Chemeketa's data guru, details how statistics help guide the college toward continuous improvement.

From ESOL to Events

In this episode, Ernesto Toskovic talks about what it was like coming to this country more than 20 years ago as a refugee, without knowing English, and how he found a safe harbor at Chemeketa and made lifelong friends in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program. Later in the program, Elizabeth Facanha, Chemeketa's Events Coordinator, shares news about upcoming performances in Chemeketa's auditorium/theater, along with information about how the community can use Chemeketa's facilities for their own events. (You don't need to be a student!)

Where History Meets the Future

In this episode, Jessica and Les discuss the history of Oregon, and general history with award-winning Chemeketa instructor, Taylor Marrow; later in the program, the topic switches gears to the positive effects of the Future Ready Oregon grant with Chemeketa grants director, Gaelen McAllister.

Diesel Technology and Student Jobs at Chemeketa

In this episode, Jessica and Les discover Chemeketa's Diesel Tech Program with Kevin Ruby.  Later in the program, Keegan Stershic, a student who has a student job at Chemeketa talks about what that experience was like and how to get a student job.

Meet the Students!

In this episode, Jessica and Les talk with brand new graduate, Peter Wirfs, and current student, Melissa Espinoza about their experiences as students at Chemeketa, along with what their future career plans are.  It's wonderful to listen to student perspectives.  

Student Resources and Health Information Management

In this episode, Jessica and Les explore student resources with Benefits Navigator, Jasmine Kaur.  In part two of the show, Dana Nolan joins in with information about two new Health Information Management certificates that will be available this fall.