UCC Mainstream Online

Making a moment a memory

Graduates share memories, advice about their UCC journey


Over 350 students will graduate this spring in the ceremony set for 6 p.m., June 12, at the Swanson Amphitheater.

Four student leaders shared some UCC memories and advice. Jennifer Abel is a peer tutor who is majoring in sociology. KC Perley is the PTK chapter president, a Leader of Promise and UCC Outstanding Student in Calculus. Ellis Poole was a former ASUCC Vice President. Scoot Nicholson was an All Oregon Academic Team winner and is a peer tutor for Anatomy and Physiology.

Jennifer Abel, transferring to U of O
What does graduating mean to you?
It means “making it to the next step towards my ultimate goal.”
Do you have any advice to future students in regards to attending UCC?
“Fully engage. Education is important so take it seriously.”
What was your most memorable UCC experience?
“Seeing a kid slip one time when it was raining.”
KC Perley, transferring to OSU

What was your most memorable experience at UCC?
“Getting to know the awesome faculty and staff especially Charles Young. Also, being able to get involved at UCC.”

What was your favorite class you took at UCC?
“ED123, which is Leadership Development 3. I liked it because you have fun while learning to become a better leader. You learn from a constant dialogue of leadership skills. It feels less like a class and more like a get together on Tuesdays with Marjan Coester."
Do you have any advice to future students in regards to attending UCC?
“1: Get involved on campus, it makes things so much better, and makes things worthwhile on such a small campus. 2: Get to know your instructors because they care and they have the time to help students. They truly want to get to know you as well.”
C. Ellis Poole, transferring to Portland State
What was your most memorable experience at UCC?
“Getting to know and working with my counselor Caroline Hopkins, the director of the Trio program. I also enjoyed sitting on the panel to hire the student leader vice president. The most amazing thing I saw, though, was seeing people turn their lives around: drug addicts and alcoholics.”
Explain what graduating means to you?
“I brought my son here to register for school, and I signed up. I made a deal with him; I’ll go to school if you go to school.”
What was your favorite class you took at UCC?
“Math class with Kelly Wyatt because no student has ever been left behind in his class. He brings everyone together. He meets with students on his own time, when they need the extra help. When he helps you, he makes you feel like you’ve achieved the world.”
Do you have any advice to future students in regards to attending UCC?
“Join the TOP program and work with your advisor, try to work in study groups with your classmates, use the ESB building, and remember to be yourself. You know who you are, and these are your goals that you set. Use them to help you prosper.”
Scott Nicholson, transferring to OIT in Klamath Falls
What was your most memorable experience at UCC?
“The entire experience from Fall 2013 to now was memorable because I didn’t think that after 16 years, I could do this.”
What was your favorite class you took here? Explain what made it so special.
“The U.S. history courses by Charles Young. He makes it fun. He goes into this mode while teaching where he closes his eyes and he just lives in that moment of history. He was great and cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had of history. I loved his teaching style.”
Do you have any advice to future students attending UCC?
“Make the commitment and stick with it. It is not going to be easy. Use all your resources possible because there are so many out there.”