OCCC Foundation Launches
“Reach for the Stars” Scholarship

Donor Gift Brings Equine Therapy to OCCC Students

NEWPORT, OR — The Oregon Coast Community College Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Reach for the Stars Scholarship, a new student wellness initiative funded through a generous gift from Marion Mann and David Pass. The scholarship provides OCCC students with access to equine-assisted activities and therapy at the Reach for the Stars Center in Seal Rock.

Marion Mann, a current member of the OCCC Board of Education and former science faculty member, and her husband David Pass established the scholarship to offer students a meaningful, evidence-based alternative to managing the stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges that often accompany college life.

Equine therapy utilizes guided interactions with horses, facilitated by trained professionals, to support emotional regulation, mindfulness, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Research has shown that equine-assisted activities can reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress.

Vouchers for equine-assisted sessions will be distributed through the Student Resource Navigator’s Office on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students. Students interested in accessing this resource should contact the Student Resource Navigator’s Office for more information.

“We are deeply grateful to Marion and David for their commitment to student well-being,” said Jeanette Campagna, Director of Advancement for the OCCC Foundation. “This scholarship reflects a genuine understanding of the challenges our students face and offers them a truly unique path to healing and resilience.”

The Reach for the Stars Center is led by Executive Director Marla Bowman. The center specializes in equine-assisted programs designed to support participants’ mental and emotional health.

For more information about the Reach for the Stars Scholarship or other OCCC Foundation programs that directly benefit students, contact Tracy Jones, OCCC Student Resource Navigator.

Learn more and discover the full range of degree and certificate programs available at Oregon Coast Community College at oregoncoast.edu. Follow OCCC on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, @occcsharks. You can also join the OCCC Community on LinkedIn. Or, call the College at 541-867-8501.