UCC will open at 10am today.
UCC will open at 10am today.
ROSEBURG, Ore., Aug. 18, 2025 — Umpqua Community College (UCC) officially launched construction of its new Welcome Center and Medical Careers Hub on August 14 with the demolition of the Del Blanchard Administration Building and a celebration ceremony.
The $21.5 million project will serve as both a new front door to campus and a vital hub for healthcare workforce training in Douglas County. The facility is scheduled for completion in December 2026, with a grand opening in early 2027.
“This is so much more than a building project —it’s a commitment to student success and to meeting critical workforce needs in Douglas County,” said UCC President, Dr. Rachel Pokrandt. “When completed, the Welcome Center and Medical Careers Hub will open doors—literally and figuratively—for generations to come.”
The building’s first floor will house UCC’s new Welcome Center, a one-stop resource for prospective and incoming students. This welcoming “front door” will streamline enrollment, advising, and support services.
The second floor will feature the Medical Careers Hub, expanding UCC’s medical training programs with state-of-the-art simulation labs, skills training rooms, and technology-rich classrooms. This space will address the region’s shortage of trained healthcare professionals and create pathways to family-thriving-wage careers. Equipment for the Medical Careers Hub is funded through Congressionally Directed Spending championed by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.
This investment in the future of Douglas County is made possible through the generosity of lead donors and partners, including:
Aviva Health
Mercy Medical Center
Umpqua Health Alliance
City of Roseburg
John and Jean Loosley Charitable Foundation
The Ford Family Foundation Fund of OCF
Jillian Bruce
Briggs Loosley Foundation
Crane Creek Family Fund of OCF
These donations helped secure an $8M matching grant from the Oregon legislature, bringing the fundraising total to more than $18M, and fundraising efforts continue.
“This project has resonated with so many community members and partners who understand the criticality of access to training and healthcare for our community. We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support we have received so far,” Pokrandt added.
The Welcome Center and Medical Careers Hub is part of a broader UCC investment in facilities that serve students and the community. Additional projects on the UCC main campus include the renovation of an existing building into an Advanced Manufacturing & Forestry Hub, an interdisciplinary facility that will bring together high-demand programs in mechatronics, computer science, forestry, and engineering. Completion of additional housing facilities in Downtown Roseburg and a new track and field complex that will serve UCC athletics, community stakeholders, and host local, regional, and national events.
