Students underway at Columbia Gorge Community College

Students, Avery and Star bundled together in the cool autumn air for the movie in the amphitheater on Friday, Oct. 1, the last night of welcome week at Columbia Gorge Community College, The Dalles campus. Disney’s Jungle Cruise was playing. Photo by Ryan Lawrence

Editors Note - Ryan Lawrence is the Associated Student Body President at Columbia Gorge Community Coilege, and he has a penchant for photography. He is old-school preferring 35mm film and a dark room - AWESOME! He recently reached out to CCCNews and hopes to provide updates on campus news from a student’s perspective. Here is a piece about why he chose to attend community college. Welcome, Ryan!

By Ryan Lawrence

CGCC Student

Community college has provided me with many opportunities that I feel a bigger university would not.

First, I have a much greater ability to stand out, which makes it easier to assert myself professionally. In my short time at Columbia Gorge Community College, I have been welcomed into the Associated Student Government, sat on the Foundation Board of the College as a student liaison, and also planned events and many other things worthy of putting on a resume.

Secondly, the classes are smaller and much more personal. This allows students more time with the instructors. For me, this is a big deal; I am working hard to pay for my degree, so it is very satisfying to have that accessibility to my instructors. I always receive same-day replies on emails, as well as reminders to things I may have overlooked.

Student services are the same way-- very accessible to all students. Lastly, the class schedules are much more flexible and available at a community college.

Being a multi-generational student body, most students are working at least part-time jobs. When enrolling in classes, I notice that there are always a couple of choices of times for each course. This is partly due to the fact that our diverse campus has two locations, serving residents of the gorge in two different counties. Being that they are only about a half-hour drive apart, most students can pick classes at both locations.

There are many other benefits to starting your degree at a community college. Degrees are obtained faster a lot of the time because students can take extra classes, due to the low cost. The list goes on, but these are the reasons for me.

What will your reasons be?

Click here to read the entire Equity Action Committee newsletter, click here.

Equity Committee Purpose: Create a campus climate that encourages, promotes and supports equity awareness, starts conversations, and creates a safe environment where welcoming differences and providing equitable access for all is part of our core values.