Deer Ridge

COCC Program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution 

The Oregon Department of Corrections has contracted with Central Oregon Community College to provide educational services. Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) and COCC have created the DRCI Education team to offer an education program for inmates.

COCC provides Adult Basic Education classes and General Educational Development test preparation instruction as well as offering a college credit program in welding and manufacturing.  

As of Fall Term 2012, there are more than 190 students enrolled, and we are proud to report a 98% pass rate on GED testing.

The DRCI educational team

Cody Yeager, director of corrections education, is responsible for inmate assessment, evaluation of staff and students, contractual compliance, budget administration, college writing faculty, advising and counseling. She has worked for COCC as an adjunct instructor, as director of the Native American Program, and as education coordinator for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. She is a 20 year veteran of the US Army & US Air Force. She currently serves on the college Strategic Planning Committee and the DRCI Diversity Committee.

Carrie L. Gibson, instructor, is a new arrival in Oregon.  She recently earned a Master’s in Teaching from St. Martin’s University and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish from Utah State University.  She comes to this position with over 15 years of experience teaching Work and College Readiness, Spanish, and English as a Foreign Language to young people and adults.

Tucker Bauman, welding program director, built the welding shop and developed a work-based welding program that will meet industry standards and provide training for employment. Bauman worked at Brightwood Industries for many years and has completed his Associate's degree at the Manufacturing and Training Center at the Redmond COCC campus. Mr. Bauman also teaches on the Madras COCC Campus.

Angelina Ptomey is an Oregon State graduate with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science and is currently working towards her master's in Higher Education Administration. Angie runs the computer lab that supports the ABE and GED classes as well as the welding students. She is also the Test Administrator for Deer Ridge.

Please visit the DRCI Education Team Directory for contact information.

The DRCI E-Team welcomes visitors to our programs. Please contact us if you would like to arange a tour.