For Clatsop Community College student Acadia Dwyer, a love of learning has guided nearly every step of her educational journey. That dedication recently earned the Astoria High School graduate a place on the All-Oregon Academic Team, a statewide recognition honoring top community college students for academic achievement and leadership.
Dwyer’s path at Clatsop Community College began long before she officially enrolled. While attending Astoria High School, she took advantage of dual-credit opportunities that allowed her to earn college credits while completing her high school coursework.
“I had enough credits for about half an associate degree before I even graduated high school,” Dwyer said. “It gave me a huge head start.”
Growing up in a Coast Guard family meant moving frequently when she was younger, but her family eventually settled in Astoria, where her father finished his Coast Guard career before retiring. Remaining in the community gave Dwyer the opportunity to continue her education close to home while exploring future career options.
After graduating from Astoria High School, Dwyer chose to stay local and enroll at Clatsop Community College while completing some online courses through the Oregon Institute of Technology. The decision allowed her to complete prerequisite courses and continue exploring academic interests while keeping college costs manageable.
“I love learning, but college can be expensive,” she said. “CCC gave me the opportunity to complete prerequisites and figure out what I really wanted to do before transferring.”
Originally considering a career in medical imaging, Dwyer’s direction changed after gaining hands-on experience in healthcare. In February of last year, she began working as an inpatient pharmacy technician at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
“I was looking at different career pathways in healthcare and started becoming interested in pharmacy,” she said. “I applied for jobs in the pharmacy field to see what it would actually be like.”
After being hired, Dwyer received on-the-job training and quickly found herself immersed in the work of hospital pharmacists.
“I was able to ask questions and absorb knowledge every day,” she said. “Since working at CMH, I’ve gained a lot of experience and my interest in pharmacy has only grown, or as the pharmacists say, they haven’t scared me off yet.”
The experience confirmed her interest in pursuing a career as a pharmacist.
“I appreciate the people I work with, and I enjoy knowing that what I do helps make a difference for patients,” she said.
At the same time, Dwyer has maintained an ambitious academic schedule at Clatsop Community College. This year she is taking biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus simultaneously; courses that form the scientific foundation for her future in pharmacy.
She credits CCC faculty and the college’s supportive environment with helping her succeed.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and the community,” she said. “Being able to connect with teachers and ask questions has been really valuable.”
Dwyer is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community college students, and her academic achievements recently led to her selection to the All-Oregon Academic Team. The honor recognizes outstanding students across Oregon’s community colleges and celebrates their commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service.
“I didn’t realize how big of an honor it was when I first applied,” Dwyer said. “It means a lot to know that people at the college and in the community support me.”
After completing her time at CCC, Dwyer plans to transfer this fall. She has been accepted to both Linfield University and Pacific University and currently plans to attend Linfield, where she will pursue a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology before continuing on to a Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Even with a demanding science schedule, Dwyer values a well-rounded education. A self-described “word nerd,” she has enjoyed literature classes at CCC as a creative balance to her science courses.
For students considering their own college path, she says starting at a community college can provide both flexibility and opportunity.
“If you’re unsure what you want to do, community college is a great place to start,” she said. “You can complete your prerequisites, explore different interests, and give yourself time to figure out your direction.”
For Dwyer, that exploration led to clarity and recognition. What began as a way to get a head start on college has grown into a focused path toward a career in pharmacy, supported by hands-on experience, academic rigor, and the opportunities she found close to home at Clatsop Community College.
