Centralia College

09/15/2026

Do not disturb until 2126! The time capsule was buried yesterday as part of the staff/faculty in-service event. The capsule was packed with all kinds of stuff, including a penny for every year between 1925-2025, a miniature wood replica clocktower, a centennial banner from a campus lightpole, photos from celebrations over the last year, Twinkies and Milk Duds, a Lewis County Monopoly game, class schedules, stickers, a metal Blazer Bill made by the campus welding students, a college pennant, graduation tassels, and much, much more!

09/15/2026

Join us and the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Allied Health Open House at noon TOMORROW, at the Southwest Washington Flexible Training (SWFT) Center, 807 W. Pear St., Centralia.

You'll have an opportunity to tour the facility, learn more about our Allied Health programs, and see firsthand how we are preparing students for healthcare careers.

This quarter, we are launching two new healthcare programs — massage therapy and medical billing and coding. In addition, we expanded our longstanding medical assistant program by adding certification in both EKG and phlebotomy, and developing a one-year certificate option. You'll learn about these new options and all our healthcare training programs tomorrow!

09/14/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Kay Odegaard, a beloved faculty member at Centralia College from 1969 until her retirement in June 1997. She was a popular instructor and leader on campus, often helping students overcome challenges that might divert them from achieving their educational goals. She worked in the basic skills area and co-founded the Phoenix Center with Frank Edge. As a longtime proponent for students with disabilities, Kay was instrumental in bringing awareness to the challenges they face and was Centralia College’s first Disability Services Coordinator. She was a consultant to community colleges in Oregon and worked with students with learning disabilities. In addition, she taught workshops about students with disabilities to a multitude of other educators.

The Phoenix Center (now in TSB) was renamed the Odegaard Phoenix Center in 2016 to honor Kay and Gary Odegaard for their long service to the college and its students. The Odegaards in June celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Kay’s family, loved ones, and all who had the privilege of learning from her.

09/14/2026

Centralia College and CCEast in Morton are closed this morning (Monday, Sept. 14) for staff/faculty training. Centralia College will open at 12pm and CCEast will open at 2pm.

09/10/2026

The deadline to sign up has been lifted, so there's still time to join us on Sept. 17!! If you're a new student at Centralia College this fall, be sure to register for the Trailblazer Kickoff! This is a fun welcome event for all new students. You'll get a campus tour, meet staff, students, and faculty, and enjoy lunch and games. It's a lot of fun and a great way to feel more relaxed for the first day of classes. Plus, you can bring parents, partners, and your biggest fans!

See the agenda and sign up online: https://www.centralia.edu/about/news/trailblazer-kickoff.aspx

09/10/2026

We are so thrilled to announce that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Centralia College $1.625 million over five years to support the TRIO Talent Search (TS) program for middle and high school students in Lewis County!

TRIO TS will serve 650 middle and high school students in Centralia, Chehalis, Mossyrock, Onalaska, Pe Ell, Toledo, and Winlock. Two-thirds of those students are first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds.

These funds allow TRIO staff to support students by delivering program services onsite at each school as well as at the college. Services include academic monitoring and advising, career exploration and mentorship opportunities, and help completing college or apprenticeship applications, and financial aid and scholarship applications.

Over the last four years, 97.8 percent of seniors in the program have graduated from high school and 58 percent have gone on to college.

Centralia College has offered the Talent Search program since 1985. Learn more about TRIO TS and sign up: https://www.centralia.edu/resources/trio-programs/ts.aspx

The photo is from the TRIO TS Nursing Career Exploration Day last year.

09/09/2026

Centralia College's on-site childcare and preschool programs are rated in the top 1 percent in Washington!!

Centralia College’s Child Development Center (which is open to everyone in the community!) has achieved a Level 5 rating from the Early Achievers Quality Rating and Improvement System from the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It is the third Centralia College Early Learning Program to receive Level 5 status this year. The college’s on-site ECEAP preschool programs - the Annex and Pear Street Early Learning Center - achieved Level 5 status earlier this summer.

Read more at https://www.centralia.edu/about/news/elp-level5.aspx

09/09/2026

Welcome to Blazer Baseball, Parker!! We're so proud to have you on our team!!

Big congratulations to Parker Sherwin on his commitment to continue his academic and baseball career at Centralia College! ⚾️🔥

The Rogers High School Class of 2027 standout is officially a Trailblazer!

09/09/2026

If you're a new student at Centralia College this fall, be sure to register today for the Trailblazer Kickoff! This is a fun welcome event for all new students. You'll get a campus tour, meet staff, students, and faculty, and enjoy a nice lunch and games. It's a lot of fun and a great way to feel more relaxed for the first day of classes.

See the agenda and sign up online: https://www.centralia.edu/about/news/trailblazer-kickoff.aspx