Columbia Gorge Community College


Columbia Gorge Community College is a public community college in The Dalles, Oregon.

Campus

The Dalles Campus is located at 400 East Scenic Drive, next to Sorosis Park, overlooking the town. The Hood River Indian Creek Campus is located at 1730 College Way, next to Indian Creek in Hood River, with scenic views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.

History

The college began in 1977 as the Wasco Area Education Service District, which not long after was changed to Treaty Oak Education Service District. The original incarnation of the college operated in leased facilities in downtown The Dalles for 16 years.
In 1989, a public vote changed the college's designation from a service district to a community college, and later its name was changed to Columbia Gorge Community College. In 1993, a bond election allowed for the purchase and remodeling of the current campus facility, a former hospital.
In 2001, voters in Wasco County and Hood River County approved the annexation of Hood River County to the college's service district. The Hood River Center operated out of rented facilities near the waterfront in Hood River County.
In 2008, the college completed construction of its new campus in Hood River and a new Health Sciences Building on its campus in The Dalles.
In 2013, the college became independently accredited.
In 2018, Dr. Marta Yera-Cronin became president of the college. Cronin was formerly vice president of academic affairs at Indian River State College in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The college announced in 2018 that they would be building a new skill center and student housing building, being opened in the fall term of 2021. The college will also be adding 5 new programs starting in the fall term of 2021 including Aviation maintenance technician, Construction Trades, Pre-Construction Apprenticeship, HVAC installation and maintenance, and Welding. The college also plans adding other programs including Fire Science and Cyber security in the near future.

Accreditation

The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Prior to being independently accredited, it was accredited through a contract with Portland Community College.