August 24, 2021

Wyden, Merkley: Rogue Community College to Receive More Than $270,000 for Educational Opportunity Center

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Rogue Community College has earned a $273,793 grant toward an Educational Opportunity Center to expand access to postsecondary education.

“Community colleges provide valuable postsecondary programs that everyone—no matter their age, income, or zip code—should be able to access,” Wyden said. “The Educational Opportunity Center will play a crucial role in ensuring that Rogue Valley students from all walks of life can find programs that fit their goals and cross the stage on graduation day without breaking the bank.”

“Barriers to postsecondary education should not exist for any student, regardless of age, zip code or income,” Merkley said. “With this grant, Rogue Community College can help ensure their students have access to valuable resources and navigate any stressful barriers that deny so many well-deserving students a chance to succeed in higher education. I am pleased that RCC received this award, and I will continue to fight for affordable educational opportunities for all Oregonians.”

Rogue Community College will receive $273,793 from the Educational Opportunity Centers program to provide counseling and information on college admissions to adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. The program also provides services to improve the financial and economic literacy to counsel students on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the college application process.

“Rogue Community College and the counties we serve are grateful to Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley for their unwavering support of our students in need,” said Cathy Kemper-Pelle, President of Rogue Community College. “RCC is poised to help our community members identify and pursue high demand career pathways leading to great jobs here in the Rogue Valley. A credential from RCC is the pathway to individual economic opportunity and regional economic growth.”

“Over the years I've seen prospective students use the services of TRiO EOC and feel a real personal connection with their EOC advisors.” said Claudia Sullivan, board member and former registrar for Rogue Community College. “The EOC advisors help students navigate financial aid and get them off on the right foot at RCC. This grant is a really important resource for incoming college students.  I'm so glad it has been renewed.”