Central Oregon Community College's brand-new Madras campus building has been open for several months now, and the 24,000-square-foot facility is already reshaping what higher education access looks like in Jefferson County.

A New Era for Local Higher Ed

The new learning center, which opened January 5, 2026 at 1170 East Ashwood Road, replaces the previous Madras facility that had served the community for decades but had grown undersized relative to demand. The building was celebrated with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on April 30, drawing community members, college officials, and local leaders.

The project represents the culmination of years of fundraising and planning. According to COCC, major capital fundraising for the Madras expansion was completed in late 2025, allowing construction to move forward on schedule.

What the New Campus Offers

The expanded campus provides Jefferson County students with significantly more classroom space, updated computer labs, student services resources, and meeting areas — all without having to drive to Bend or Redmond to access them. For a community where transportation can be a barrier to education, the local option is significant.

COCC's Madras campus serves students from across Jefferson County and the surrounding region, including Warm Springs. It offers a range of credit and non-credit courses, workforce training programs, and pathways to four-year transfer degrees.

Local Roots Run Deep

The significance of the expanded campus is personal for many in the community. COCC Madras campus director Victor Rodriguez, who holds an MBA, got his own community college start in the original Madras building. He has spoken publicly about the transformation as not just a physical one, but a statement about the community's investment in its own future.

"It's an energizing time," Rodriguez said at the campus opening earlier this year. "This building is a reflection of what Jefferson County believes it can be."

Looking Ahead

With the new building now in regular operation, COCC is focused on growing enrollment at the Madras campus and expanding program offerings. The college has not yet specified which new programs may be added, but workforce development tracks aligned with Jefferson County's agricultural and trades economy are expected to be a focus.