Central Oregon Community College’s Madras campus has entered a new era. Following a major $22 million expansion and a ribbon-cutting ceremony held April 30, the Jefferson County learning center is now home to five new programs — including nursing, certified nursing assistant (CNA), and medical assistant tracks that college officials say are already filling a critical local workforce gap.

What’s New

The expanded Madras campus at 1170 East Ashwood Road opened its doors in January 2026 after years of planning, fundraising, and construction. The new programs now operating on campus include:

  • Nursing — in partnership with St. Charles Health System
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Medical Assistant
  • Early Childhood Education — offered in both English and Spanish, in partnership with The Children’s Learning Center
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) health sciences for Madras High School students

The CTE program gives local high schoolers the opportunity to earn nursing experience before graduation. Students who complete the program can pursue further certification or employment in healthcare upon leaving high school.

“We Are Learning Everything”

Meghan Drew, a registered nurse and CTE health sciences teacher at Madras High School, described the hands-on approach the new facility enables.

“We have all of the supplies so that we can teach and make sure they’re doing it correctly before we send them into the workforce,” Drew said.

Campus Director James Rodriguez said the expansion began with listening: the college surveyed community needs and identified healthcare workforce development as the county’s most pressing priority. The 26-acre parcel where the building sits was donated to the college by the Bean Foundation.

Economic Impact

A COCC economic impact study released earlier this year found that the college generates $349 million annually for Central Oregon and supports 1 in every 41 jobs in the region. Students who earn an associate’s degree from the college earn, on average, $10,000 more per year than those with a high school diploma alone.

“The value is tremendous to the community,” Rodriguez said. “We are providing healthcare careers and opportunities for students to go right into the workforce.”

Serving a Sprawling Region

COCC’s service area spans more than 10,000 square miles across five counties. The Madras campus expansion represents the college’s largest investment in Jefferson County since it first established a presence in the community over seven decades ago. Officials say enrollment in the new programs has been strong, and the college is exploring additional offerings to meet growing demand.