The Central Oregon Community College campus in Madras looks different now. New white-and-blue walls, nursing simulation labs, early childhood education classrooms, and the energy of students learning skills that could land them jobs right here in Jefferson County — all under one roof that didn’t exist two years ago.

After 76 years operating in Madras, COCC marked the completion of a $22 million campus expansion with a community celebration on April 30. The project was made possible in part through a donation of 26 acres of land from the Bean Foundation.

New Programs to Fill Local Workforce Gaps

The expanded campus now offers five new educational programs:

  • Nursing (in partnership with St. Charles Health System)
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Medical Assistant
  • Early Childhood Education (offered in both English and Spanish, in partnership with The Children’s Learning Center)
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) nursing track for Madras High School students

The CTE partnership allows high school students to gain real nursing experience and, once they complete the program in June, sit for their CNA certification exam. Madras High School health sciences teacher Meghan Drew — also a registered nurse — called watching those students grow “amazing.”

“It’s something our community needs,” Drew said.

The Numbers Behind the Need

The programs were designed in direct response to workforce data. A 2025 state Healthcare Workforce Need Assessment found that while healthcare employment has grown, vacancies remain difficult to fill across Oregon — particularly in rural areas. The Oregon Office of Rural Health ranked Warm Springs second-worst in the state for unmet healthcare provision needs, with Madras also scoring below the state average.

COCC Madras campus director James Rodriguez said the process started by listening to what the community actually needed. “The value is tremendous to the community,” Rodriguez said. “We are providing healthcare careers and opportunities for students to go right into the workforce.”

An Economic Engine for the Region

A recent COCC economic impact study found the college generates $349 million annually for Central Oregon and supports 1 in every 41 jobs in the region. Students who earn an associate’s degree from COCC earn, on average, $10,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma.

The Madras campus serves students across a sprawling 10,000-square-mile area spanning five counties — one of the most geographically isolated service areas of any community college in Oregon.

For enrollment and program information, visit cocc.edu/madras or call the Madras campus directly.