ROSEBURG, Oregon – When Taylor Lindsey started her studies at Umpqua Community College (UCC), she had one goal in mind: Get in, take one class, and get out. Now, less than one year later, she has taken a lot more than just a single class. She has completed the requirements needed to graduate with an Associate of Arts in General Studies degree and a Junior Programmer certificate.

“I came here thinking I would take a computer class to help fill an information gap,” she said. “My goal at the time was to start an online business. But the amount of technology we have made it to where I couldn’t avoid learning it anymore. I just needed that one class.”

Taylor moved to Roseburg toward the end of 2016. She started at UCC this past fall term. That one simple class turned into a lot more after she started talking to John Blackwood; an instructor in the Computer Information Systems program.

“I discovered that I really liked what I was learning,” she said, “so I just kept going.”

Taylor, who is originally from Klamath Falls, was a dual-credit student in high school. She got a jump start on her college credits and earned a Business certificate from Klamath Community College. She transferred her credits to UCC and jumped right in.

Not only was she able to quickly finish her degree, Blackwood also convinced her to participate in Startup Weekend Umpqua. The business-building event was held in April at UCC. Taylor’s product actually won.

“I like doing a lot of different things,” she said.

With a little more than week to go until graduation day, Taylor is also preparing to do one final thing before she leaves UCC. As the student’s selection for a commencement speaker, she is preparing the speech she will give to this year’s graduating class.

“I actually volunteered to do this because I thought it would be a good experience,” she said.

Taylor submitted an application to ASUCC—the campus’ student government leadership group—and she was chosen to speak. She says a fortune cookie, of all things, helped her determine her speech.

“I’m calling it ‘Where do we go from here?’” she said. “I don’t know exactly what is in my future, but I know I want to travel, have experiences, and continue to learn. I do know I’m not stopping anytime soon.”

UCC’s Commencement will be held Friday, June 15, at Swanson Amphitheatre on the main UCC campus. The ceremony starts at 6 p.m.

About Umpqua Community College

Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.

Contact

John Blackwood – Contact
Associate Professor, CIS
Phone: 541-440-7686