A Bright Moment for the Coppi Family
It is with great joy that I share some wonderful news with our College of the Siskiyous community. Our Dean of Health Sciences, Dr. Hallie Coppi, and her family recently celebrated the granting of their son Everett's Make-A-Wish.
Everett is living with a rare terminal genetic condition and has endured more pain and medical challenges than most of us can imagine. In recognition of his incredible strength and journey, his palliative care team at Stanford Children's Health nominated him for Make-A-Wish. His wish, a travel trailer, has now become a reality.
While no gift can take away Everett's illness, this wish will give him something truly priceless: the opportunity to experience the beauty of this world with his family while he is still here. Together, they will be able to visit parks, forests, lakes, and beaches, creating memories that will be treasured forever.
Everett's story reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, hope can still flourish, joy can still be found, and kindness can still transform lives. May we all be inspired to love more deeply, live more intentionally, and care for one another with compassion.
Celebrating the Passing of AB 1555
College of the Siskiyous is entering an exciting new chapter of regional collaboration and student access. We are thrilled to share that Assembly Bill 1555, authored by Assemblymember Heather Hadwick with principal co-authorship from Senator Megan Dahle, has officially been signed into law! This landmark legislation marks a significant milestone for our college community, our rural economy, and the students we serve across our broader geographic footprint.
Under AB 1555, College of the Siskiyous is officially authorized to exempt up to 200 students residing in Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties in Oregon from nonresident tuition fees. For years, financial barriers have kept motivated students just across our state border from pursuing higher education and career-technical pathways that align directly with our region's workforce needs. By removing the steep nonresident fee hurdle for these students, AB 1555:
The path from a legislative concept to the Governor's desk required immense dedication, collaboration, and advocacy. Special recognition goes to Assemblymember Heather Hadwick for her dedicated leadership in carrying the bill through the legislature, alongside Senator Megan Dahle for championing the measure in the Senate.
As we implement this exciting new exemption framework, College of the Siskiyous continues its mission of delivering accessible, high-quality education that transforms lives and strengthens communities. AB 1555 is more than just a policy update, it is an open door to a brighter, more connected future for students throughout our regional community.
Winter Session and Spring Semester Registration is Open
Just a quick reminder general registration for the 2027 Winter Session and Spring Semester will begin October 29. Remind students to register early to get the classes they want and need. The schedule is available online. Winter Session is January 2 - 23, 2027 and the Spring Semester will start January 25, 2027.
Website Redesign Update
Everyone on campus is encouraged to review their current website content and ensure all information is accurate, current, and up to date by November 30, 2026.
Each department is responsible for working directly with Weblinks to ensure all website content is submitted and finalized in a timely manner, no later than November 30. Please be aware that content not provided by this deadline may result in certain webpages being unavailable for viewing when the new website launches.
December 2026 will be dedicated to final website reviews, adjustments, and fine-tuning, with the new website scheduled to GO LIVE on January 4, 2027.
Thank you all for your time, assistance, and continued support as we prepare for this exciting transition to our new website. Your cooperation in meeting these deadlines is essential to ensure a smooth and successful launch!
Accessibility reminder - Creating Flyers, Programs, and More
As of April 24, 2027, all newly created digital content representing College of the Siskiyous must comply with ADA Title II accessibility requirements, particularly content shared on the college website and social media platforms. Please visit the college's Accessibility webpage for resources and guidance on accessibility requirements and compliance. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Public Relations Office by email, phone, or in person. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring our college communications are accessible and meet branding standards.
You’re Invited! Annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Eagles Nest Shop
Get ready to kick off the holiday season at the Annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Eagles Nest Shop on Monday, November 2.
Each year, the Shop transforms into a magical Winter Wonderland filled with beautifully decorated trees, festive displays, and hundreds of unique holiday items. This year’s transformation will take place October 30 – November 1, bringing holiday cheer to every corner!
The Shop will be closed during the day on Monday, November 2 to put the finishing touches on the holiday displays and prepare for the evenings big event. From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the Winter Extravaganza will be open to guests for an evening of holiday cheer, special sales (50% off and $25 bag sale), prizes, and plenty of festive fun!
We hope you’ll join us for this special holiday tradition! If you’re unable to attend the evening event, we encourage you to stop by the Eagles Nest Shop afterward to enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations and say hello to our wonderful students and volunteers. We look forward to seeing you there!
Come Join Our Team
We are always looking for new volunteers to join the Eagle's Nest team. Volunteers work as cashiers, screening items as they come in, price merchandise, repair items, research antiques, etc. There is never a dull moment at the Eagles Nest. If you know of anyone who may be interested in volunteering have them call (530) 938-4663 or stop by the Eagle’s Nest Shop to speak with Angel Keen, Shop Supervisor.
North State Giving Tuesday
Now, more than ever, the College of the Siskiyous Foundation needs your support. On Tuesday, December 1, our community will come together for #NorthStateGivingTuesday and we invite YOU to join us. From 6:00 am to 8:00 pm you can 'give where you live. Support the College of the Siskiyous Foundation and our Siskiyous students by making a tax‐deductible online donation on December 1. Donations received on Giving Tuesday support our Siskiyou Promise program.
Holiday Craft Fair
The 29th Annual College of the Siskiyous Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Friday evening, December 4 (5:00 to 8:00 pm) and Saturday, December 5 (9:00 am to 3:00 pm) at the College of the Siskiyous Weed Campus in the Gym. This Holiday Craft Fair celebrates the finest of handcrafted products produced by local and regional artisans and crafters. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Activities & Events:
Event dates, times, and locations based on information available at the time of publication and are subject to change.
October
November
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Seasonal Reminders
Cold, Flu, and COVID season is upon us. Please feel free to turn on the air purifiers located throughout campus. If your unit needs a replacement filter, submit a FMX request. If you would like a refillable tub of disinfecting wipes to help keep your work area clean and sanitized, please submit a FMX request. The night crew will continue to disinfect high-touch surfaces daily to help maintain a clean and healthy campus environment.
Facilities and Maintenance Updates
The following projects and maintenance activities have been completed:
Construction Projects
Information and updates regarding campus maintenance and facilities projects are posted on the Construction Projects webpage as it becomes available.
Theater & McCloud Hall
Building 3 / Life Science
Student Housing
Thank you to everyone involved in keeping our campus safe, functional, and moving forward. We appreciate the continued efforts of our Facilities and Maintenance teams and all campus partners who help make these projects possible!
It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through October! It seems like we were just welcoming students back to campus, and now we are well into the fall semester. Before we know it, we will be preparing for the holidays and the end of another semester.
I want to start by giving a big shoutout to Sam Dean, Mary Ann Busby, and the entire team who helped make this year's College & Career Day such a success! Events like this take a tremendous amount of planning, coordination, and work behind the scenes. What a great opportunity to showcase College of the Siskiyous and help students explore the many educational and career opportunities available to them. Kudos to Sam, Mary Ann, and everyone across campus who contributed to such a successful event!
Student Services just welcomed a new staff member to the team in Financial Aid. Welcome to Marlina Lopez, Student Services Specialist, Financial Aid. We are so excited to have you join us at College of the Siskiyous.
As we move further into the semester, the excitement of starting a new academic year has worn off a little, and for some students, the challenges of balancing school, work, family, and other responsibilities are starting to catch up with them. This is often the time when students begin to struggle, and having someone notice and reach out can make a real difference.
One of the things I appreciate about working at a small, rural college like Siskiyous is the opportunity we have to really get to know our students. A friendly greeting, remembering a student's name, taking a few extra minutes to listen, or helping someone find the right resource can have a tremendous impact. We may not always know the difference those interactions make, but I am confident they matter.
Whether it is meeting with a counselor or advisor, getting assistance with financial aid, accessing basic needs resources, or simply having someone help them work through a difficult situation, there are many ways we can help students overcome challenges and stay on track. Student success is not the responsibility of one department or division. Some of the best opportunities to help students come through the relationships they have developed with their instructors and other employees. When we communicate and work together, we are much better positioned to help students continue moving toward their goals.
I also want to thank our Student Services team for the work happening every day, much of which goes unnoticed. I know our work isn't always easy, but it is important, and I hope you recognize the difference you are making.
As we head into the second half of the semester, I hope we don't lose sight of why we do what we do. At the end of the day, we are here because of our students and the opportunities that education can provide them.
Here's to a successful second half of the fall semester!
Exhibition season has begun for the Art Department
The fall showing season opened with a gallery show of Painting and Drawing works from both the Intro and Intermediate classes. This show ran from September 28 through October 9. Intro and Intermediate Photography and Ceramics classes will follow with an exhibition in the gallery opening October 26 and running through November 6. We are currently working on our new hanging system in the LRC foyer – expect to see student work hung regularly!
On October 26 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, the Art Department will also be participating in the Siskiyou County Arts Council's X-Days, a county-wide open studios event that showcases the work of artists, musicians, culture bearers, and other creatives across the county. For X-Days, the department will have an opening reception for our Photography and Ceramics gallery show, and for additional student work in the LRC Foyer. We will also have our studio spaces open for the public to meet participating student artists and learn about our program. Several of our students will also be participating in X-Days as individuals outside of the academic context. For information on their events, check the X-Days website for updates.
In additional news, Amanda Thomas has been invited to speak at the Society for Photographic Education's national conference that will take place March 11-13, 2027, in Minneapolis, MN. The 2027 conference theme is "Community in Contrast," and Thomas will be speaking on a panel on environmental issues in the western United States.
The panel, titled "No Turning Back: Documenting Environmental Crises in the American West," will be led by photographer Alexander Heilner, a former faculty member and Associate Dean for Design and Media Studies at The Maryland Institute College of Art. Heilner's current photographic work revolves around the diminishment of water throughout the Colorado River Basin, and the imminent and rapid changes occurring in Arctic coastal communities.
Information on the panel follows: In 2026, the West is ground zero for social, political and economic battles that are poised to shape our lives for generations to come. From agriculture and infrastructure to energy and extraction, to wildfires and water; many of our systems are on the brink of collapse, but there seems to be scant will to make the hard decisions necessary to avert radical entropy.
This panel will highlight artists, critics, and researchers whose work documents physical evidence in the landscape, as well as the political and cultural forces that are currently driving these outcomes. Aesthetics and activism are equally welcome, with an aim of moving past resignation and toward potential solutions.
Bay Area Public Safety Sector Regional Joint Venture Symposium
On September 18, Dr. Sims attended the Bay Area Public Safety Sector Regional Joint Venture Symposium at Chabot-Las Positas Community College District's Pleasanton campus, alongside Siskiyous colleagues Chris Delcour and Leigh Moore.
The symposium brought together community college leaders, public safety educators, regional directors, and state agency representatives from organizations including CalEMSA, POST, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The day focused on 2026–2027 priorities and objectives for the Public Safety Sector, including first responder pathways, revised educational requirements, standardized attendance accounting, POST academy requirements, fire instructor capacity, and ISA standardization.
For College of the Siskiyous, participation in this regional conversation provides an important opportunity to strengthen our public safety programs, build relationships with state and regional partners, and ensure that our CTE programs remain connected to emerging workforce needs and regulatory developments.
North State Jobs First Initiative Report
Dr. Sims had the opportunity to attend the North State Jobs First: "Setting the Foundation for Long-Term Resilience" convening, bringing together partners from across the North Far North region to reflect on our progress and consider how we can strengthen our collective work moving forward.
What stood out to him most was the growing philosophical alignment across the North Far North. He is increasingly hearing people talk about how we are in this together and how we are stronger together as a region. That alignment makes him more hopeful about what is possible.
At the same time, we have significant challenges ahead. We are still working to carve out clear, sustainable pathways to living-wage jobs and equitable economic opportunities across our region. We certainly don't have it all figured out yet, but some promising ideas and possibilities came to the floor during the convening — from workforce pipelines and access to capital to healthcare, tourism, natural resources, and stronger regional support networks.
The work now is to keep building the relationships, infrastructure, and shared commitments necessary to turn those ideas into sustained action. Our region deserves that investment. We deserve opportunities to work together toward sustained and equitable prosperity — and he left the convening feeling hopeful about what we can accomplish when we recognize that our collective strength is greater than what any of us can accomplish alone.
Firefighter 1 & 2 Academy
The Fire Academy has settled in with 17 cadets in program and had a very busy month progressing through Module 1A. Throughout the module, students develop foundational competencies in firefighter safety, radio communications, personal protective equipment, fire behavior, building construction, fireground tools and equipment, water supply, hose operations, ladder placement, forcible entry, search and rescue, and fire suppression. Training also addresses horizontal and vertical ventilation, property conservation, fire scene overhaul, and firefighter survival.
During the first week of October the cadets completed Fire Control 3 Burn Week, providing students with critical hands-on experience in live-fire training environments. Through use of the Fire Academy's Flashover Observation Prop and the Mike Wilson Fire Training Tower, students observed the effects of increasing temperatures, thermal layering, rollover, and changing fire conditions.
Fire Technology
The Fire Technology students received hands-on demonstrations with tools and equipment used in fire service. This training helps prepare students for entry into the Fire Academy and get a taste of what the job of a Firefighter is about.
Photos courtesy of Kaci Greene, Social Media Coordinator at College of the Siskiyous.
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