March 11, 2026 4:00 a.m.   

Umpqua Community College has launched a new partnership with Pacific University designed to help students pursue careers in pharmacy through a streamlined transfer pathway to a doctoral degree program.

A UCC release said that through the agreement, students at UCC and Chemeketa Community College will be able to complete key pre-pharmacy coursework at their community college before continuing their education in Pacific University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program on the university’s Hillsboro campus.

The new pathway, launching this spring, allows UCC students interested in pharmacy to prepare locally before transitioning into Pacific’s graduate program. Students will have the option to pursue either Pacific’s accelerated three-year PharmD program or its five-year extended pathway, which is designed to provide additional flexibility for student’s balancing work, family or other responsibilities.

UCC Chief Academic Officer Danielle Haskett said, “This collaboration creates meaningful opportunities for our students to begin their journey toward a career in pharmacy right here at Umpqua Community College”. Haskett said, “Working with Pacific University and Cheketa Community College helps us build stronger educational pathways while supporting the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Oregon”.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment among the institutions to make advanced healthcare education more accessible while strengthening Oregon’s workforce pipeline.

Demand for pharmacists continues to grow nationwide and across Oregon. Employment opportunities for pharmacists are expected to increase by 5 percent through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor of Statistics. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortage of nearly 5,000 pharmacists nationwide by 2036.

The release said by establishing clear transfer pathways, UCC aims to help more students pursue careers in healthcare while supporting the needs of communities throughout the region.

Haskett said, “UCC is dedicated to helping students move confidently from community college to advanced degrees and professional careers”. Haskett said, “This partnership provides a clear next step for students interested in pharmacy and reinforces our commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals”.