Rogue Community College (RCC) and the RCC Foundation have named Zackary Salem-Bango, a 2015 graduate who has since built a career in medicine and global service, as the institution’s 2025 Alum of the Year. Salem-Bango will be formally recognized at the President’s Circle dinner on September 25, an annual event that celebrates donors while showcasing the role higher education plays in shaping lives.
A native of Applegate, Salem-Bango represents a story that began in Southern Oregon and has grown to reach across the world. His educational path started unusually early—he enrolled at RCC when he was just 13 years old, simultaneously completing high school and college coursework. He earned an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree in pre-medicine, which later served as the foundation for further academic and professional achievement.
After completing his associate degree, Salem-Bango transferred to Oregon State University, where he studied biochemistry. He went on to attend the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, focusing on global health and emergency medicine. Along the way, he participated in service-driven experiences that shaped his outlook, including a Peace Corps assignment in Botswana and malaria research in The Gambia. During that research, he developed a multiplex qPCR system that remains in use today for diagnosing fungal infections, underscoring the practical and lasting impact of his work.
Currently, Salem-Bango serves as a postgraduate intern in emergency medicine at the University of Washington. Based at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, his training places him at one of the country’s busiest trauma hospitals. His professional goals extend further—he plans to complete a fellowship in critical care and hopes to work internationally alongside his wife, Lindsay, who is active with Doctors Without Borders. Together, they aim to expand access to emergency care in underserved regions.
Though his career has taken him far from Southern Oregon, Salem-Bango has maintained strong ties to RCC. He has mentored students through the college’s TRIO Student Support Services program, helping aspiring medical professionals navigate the challenges of transferring to larger universities. That commitment to giving back reflects the values that led the RCC Foundation to select him for this year’s honor.
College officials describe Salem-Bango’s journey as an example of the opportunities community colleges can provide. By starting locally, he was able to discover his academic interests, gain mentorship from faculty, and build the confidence to pursue advanced degrees and international service. His recognition as Alum of the Year is intended not only to celebrate his accomplishments but also to inspire current and future students who may be beginning their own educational journeys at RCC.
The President’s Circle dinner where Salem-Bango will be honored is one of the RCC Foundation’s signature events. In addition to recognizing alumni achievements, the evening highlights donor contributions that support scholarships, programs, and student success initiatives throughout Jackson and Josephine counties.
For Salem-Bango, the honor brings his story full circle, from a teenager testing the waters of higher education at RCC to a physician-in-training dedicated to serving communities worldwide. His recognition affirms the enduring influence of community colleges in preparing students for both local and global impact.