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Since being at LBCC, Dr. McGhee has had the privilege and honor of teaching at the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Center in Albany, Oregon. While teaching at Oak Creek she was inspired by the young women and their drive to succeed once leaving the facility and their pursuit of higher education coupled with her mom’s acts of service to establish The Valencia Cooper 2nd Chance Opportunity Scholarship Award. This Award will solely benefit young women who are discharged from the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Center and want to seek higher education at LBCC.
While completing her doctoral studies Dr. McGhee lost her mom Valencia Cooper to an unexpected hard attack. From that moment, Dr. McGhee knew she wanted to create something in her mother’s honor that would add to her legacy.
"Valencia dedicated the latter parts of her life to helping women and families at Bethel New Life serving as a Peer Coach for several years then later became an Advocate at the Garfield Park Counseling Center (Sisters of Sobriety) unit. Her servitude through both organizations was invaluable and will forever be remembered."
Dr. Ramycia McGhee, daughter of Valencia Cooper
About the Award
The Valencia Cooper 2nd Chance Opportunity Scholarship Award is founded on the basic principle that 2nd chance opportunities can change lives. Second chances are not always possible however, Cooper herself experienced several second chance opportunities and as a result was able to concur life and career challenges.
It was with her zeal and determination that Cooper was able to seize her second chances before departing this life. The Valencia Cooper 2nd Chance Opportunity Scholarship Award will solely benefit young women who are discharged from the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Center and have been accepted to LBCC to seek higher education.