The Pre-College Education (PCE) Department at Rogue Community College plays a crucial role in fulfilling state and federal education mandates by offering high-quality General Educational Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to residents across the Rogue Valley.
For perspective, PCE enrolled 773 students in academic year 2023–24. As of this article in academic year 2024–25, 752 students have already enrolled, not including spring totals. These programs directly support RCC’s Wildly Important Goals (WIGs), particularly in improving student access, success and equity.
By equipping students with essential academic and English language skills, PCE serves as a bridge to credit-bearing college programs and career pathways, promoting both personal growth and economic mobility—core tenets of RCC’s mission. A dedicated team of classified staff, faculty and student employees supports a diverse student body, many of whom overcome significant barriers to education, ensuring they gain the skills needed to thrive in PCE programs and progress into higher education and the workforce.
GED and ESL courses are taught by content experts and are thoughtfully designed to provide a rigorous educational experience tailored to each learner. PCE programs build resilience and each student in the program is committed to learning and achieving personal goals. These courses are not “easy” or separate from RCC’s broader academic mission—they are a critical entry point for many learners, including those who may have previously felt abandoned by educational institutions.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit PCE offices at any of RCC’s three campuses to experience the program’s impact firsthand. For a deeper understanding of the challenges students face, employees are invited to use a portion of their professional development funds to take a CASAS placement test or GED pre-test. Engaging with these assessments offers valuable insight into the intake process and the persistence required to succeed across four subject areas.
Thank You to the PCE Team Members
Student Employees
Courtney Arts, Alejandro Bastian, Susan Gallagher, Lynne Hamblin
Classified Staff
Karin Boucher, Jennifer Burkes, Alea Corrie, Bria Calver, Alondra Esquivel, Alissa Ramirez, Ximena Velazquez
Full-Time Faculty
Kristi Kowalski, Lori Lundine, Katie Nollenberger
Adjunct Faculty
Patricia Ajemian, Neva Botag, Jillease Brand, Regina Castellon, Carrie Collonge, Sharon Crawford, Gabriel Darland, Chelsea Daugherty, Megan Farnsworth, Rogelio Fernandez, Donna Mae Fiore, Sonya French, Kiersta Fricke-Gostnell, Evalyn Hansen, Liz Hardy, Natalie Holliday, Raelyn Horton, Michael Jackson, Christina Jones, Tom Kowalski, Sandra Mitchell, Blake Pendergrass, Nicole Piller, Chanse Pryor, Juliana Quick, Ricardo Rangel-Botello, Heidi Saleska, Amber Smith, Karen Sullivan, Jo Taylor, Victoria VanDyke, Britta Walker, Rosalie Zderic