Uncertainty Reigns

Dear EOU Community,

Uncertainty seems to be the word of the year. It’s hard to strategize and serve when you can’t always see around the corner.  

Yet, we must plan to make sure we take care of our community. While the tone of this message is different from my usual communications, the purpose remains unchanged: to inform, to strengthen our community, and to focus on what we can control by preparing together.

A lot of variability exists in . As such, the state continues to anticipate the need for budget reductions (aka less revenue) in the form of a clawback of monies. We don’t know how much, and I’m hoping it’s as little as 2.5-5% in 2026, based on the state agency budget reduction exercise. The December state forecast looks better than that issued in September, but the state economist warns that 2027-2029 will be a difficult biennium for Oregon. The higher education community is holding its breath, hoping December’s news provides some reprieve for 2026.  

We must, however, plan for the possibility of budget reductions even as we advocate for relief from the state. Soon, I will issue an exercise to all units on campus to develop budgets reflecting 2.5% and 5% cuts just to make sure we’ve begun the preparation should the reductions come to fruition. Yes, we will also likely make use of the fund balance.

We got news of this proposed clawback in state budgets in August and September, and we’ve continued to work to advocate since that time period, as well as communicate with you regularly about what we know. We have been fortunate to have been able to talk about these proposed cuts in all the unit meetings I visited at the beginning of the academic year, as well as in our shared governance meetings for Faculty Senate, University Council, and Budget and Planning.  

I know this is not the news you want to hear. I don’t like it either. We are part of a larger ecosystem that needs fixing, and it’s frustrating to hit the same territory again and again. I recognize the emotional weight that comes with this.

I also know the strength of this community. We have compassionate, committed people who care deeply about our mission, our students, and each other. This gives me hope. Whatever challenges arise, we will navigate them together—thoughtfully, transparently, and with the resilience that has carried us through before.

Even in times of uncertainty and frustration, there are also things to be grateful for, and these too deserve our focus. I’m grateful to Madeline Kennedy, Haley Evans, LeeAnn Case, Tyler Thamert, Kimberly Newman and Tara Gekas for all of their work in making EOU’s Annual Gift-giving Drive accessible for our entire campus community this year. And thank you to all who have been purchasing gifts from the wishlist to support those in need this season.

The food pantry has engaged in some terrific and creative support for students over the break. I’m grateful to Pamela Frederick William’s leadership in this work! We are also thankful for the strong community support of the EOU Food Pantry, which helps ensure students have consistent access to food throughout the academic year.

We are extremely grateful to Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) for a $7,500 donation, the Roundhouse Foundation for $6,000, Oregon Food Bank for $6,000 in funding support, and Hines Meat Company for confirming monthly meat donations to the food pantry. These partnerships help reduce basic-needs barriers so students can stay focused on learning, persist through challenges, and succeed at EOU.

I am grateful to AVP Bennie Moses-Mesubed for her leadership, and to everyone who contributed to our grant proposal for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. Despite a very short timeline, you came together to produce a strong submission.

I’ve also read about some yummy cookies prepared for EOU’s faculty and staff by DeAnna Timmermann, Janna Geissinger, Connor Heather, MJ Heather, Jamie Baker, Dottie McInerney, and Kimberly Zollman. How lovely to support each other . . . with sugar!! 

? EOU!! Congratulations to all our coaches, staff, student-athletes, and leadership at EOU! Additional kudos to EOU Volleyball for advancing to the NAIA semifinals and winning two of the five sets. Another shout-out goes to Coach McLean Morehead, who was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) West Region Coach of the Year for 2025, and to senior student-athlete Kiauna Mack, who earned the title of AVCA Region Player of the Year. We also celebrate Keira Vaughn and Brooke Womack, who joined Kiauna on the All-Region list.

As this eventful term comes to a close (with its ups and downs) I know we are all counting down the days to our winter break. I hope each of you has the opportunity to enjoy the respite.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Thankful to EOU

Dear EOU Community,

I really enjoyed being in community with you at our “Fall into an Attitude of Gratitude” all-campus event. Thank you for spending time with us and for sharing your gratitude for one another. Many folks used a post-it note to share what they are grateful for, and the dominant theme was appreciation for one another – friends, colleagues, family, and the EOU community, programs, and campus.

It’s been a busy season at EOU, and I’m hopeful each of you finds time to lean into the break that Thanksgiving provides all of us. A little time to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones is much needed this time of year.  

We’ve had some major changes at the university lately, including having a new Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Chuck Hofmann. As a member of the board since I arrived at EOU, I’ve gotten to know Dr. Hofmann well and trust his leadership will be beneficial to EOU. He is already bringing lots of great energy and ideas to the table.  

We finalized EOU’s contract with Risepoint, our Online Program Marketing Manager, and participated in a visit by Risepoint Vice President Phyllis Hauptfeld to meet with faculty and staff. I hope many of you were able to meet her. She has good energy! That’s a good start to the partnership!

Provost Geissinger and I received the report from NWCCU on our accreditation visit. Though the report has not been finalized by NWCCU’s Board, EOU received commendations for our focus on student success, our efforts to enhance collaboration, and our partnerships with the community. They have recommended we work on refining our academic program learning outcomes assessment and using that work to improve teaching and learning at the university. We are also asked to bring focus to accomplishing key strategies in our strategic plan.  

The past few weeks have included a lot of travel between EOU meetings. Recently, I visited with Director Torrie Griggs of Boardman’s Chamber of Commerce for a Facebook Live podcast to highlight the great work we do at EOU. She shared that it has over 2,500 views! Dean Scott McConnell and I met with Lisa Mittlesdorf, CEO of the Port of Morrow, and Ben Harvey, Community Engagement Lead with Amazon Web Services. I connected with EOU donors in La Grande and attended the Soroptimist’s Festival of Trees annual event in support of scholarships. 

As always, there’s a ton to be thankful for at EOU. We are so fortunate to be a cultural hub for our region. I enjoyed the newest exhibit in the Nightingale Gallery, Shifting Grounds by Andrew Parker, and the Thursday night performance of Shakespeare in Love, directed by Mike Heather. The gallery served as an excellent location to put a spotlight on our artistic endeavors at a donor event last Saturday.

Our Athletics continue to astound me!  Coach Kaki McLean Morehead was recognized as the 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference volleyball Coach of the Year.  Wow!!

Have a wonderful holiday break, and I look forward to seeing you back for the homestretch of the fall term!

In appreciation,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

EOU Advocacy

Dear EOU Community,

Higher education has undergone dramatic shifts in the past year, and EOU strongly maintains its commitment to student success amid these challenges. Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with the Oregon delegation regarding our concerns about some of the new uncertainties we face. We asked for their advocacy around Pell and TRIO grants, as well as graduate student funding. In addition, I shared our work in fighting to close the equity gaps between rural versus urban and suburban post secondary attainment. 

This may seem like a tough time to put student needs front and center, because there are a lot of competing needs in this state and in our country; however, I continue to believe that higher education can be a solution to many of the issues we face.  

Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) updated universities and community colleges on its process for prioritizing the request of Oregon’s Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) to engage in “scenario planning” around cuts to state agencies. HECC aims “to prioritize reductions that would have the least impact on students, particularly the most vulnerable.” They are still working through the process and soliciting feedback from universities and community colleges. At present, their plans do not exceed more than 5% cuts to the Public University Support Fund, and they are looking at all funding categories.  

A lot of work happens right here at EOU to push for greater rural post-secondary attainment. I had the pleasure of visiting this year’s Investigators of Science event. This clever yearly event invited students to uncover the culprit in a Halloween party murder mystery using scientific investigation. I was excited to welcome students from around our region to this interactive STEM (Chemistry, Biology, Math, and Computer Science) experience. This event has become so popular that registration had to be shut down early, with over 100 applicants from 19 schools. Special thanks to Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center for organizing, the La Grande Soroptimists and the Richland Section of the American Chemical Society for their sponsorship, and our faculty volunteers (11!) from Chemistry, Biology, Math, Psychology, Health and Human Performance, and Theater, and our student volunteers (44!) from the Chemistry Club, Biology Club, Math Club, OHSU Nursing, and Theater for making this such an incredible experience. 

Our Financial Aid Office (FAO) staff are fostering a college-going culture too, and supporting enrollment before students even arrive at EOU by partnering with local high schools for FAFSA nights. By meeting seniors and families where they are, the FAO team is answering questions, clearing up confusion, and reducing stress. These visits make positive impacts by helping more seniors complete the FAFSA on time and unlock grants and scholarships. Fall 2025 visits have included Imbler, Joseph, Enterprise, Pine Eagle, Grant Union, Prairie City, La Grande, Union, and Cove.

I often get questions about the number of faculty and staff at the university, and we submit many reports about our staffing levels to the state, the federal government, and other agencies and associations. Our three categories of employees include faculty, classified staff, and administrative professionals, each of which accounts for about one-third of our employees. Our numbers vary according to which report you view. 

I am always proud of the good work we do at EOU – truly, there is so much to celebrate! Our faculty, staff, and students are advancing excellence every day. The good work we do at EOU requires faculty and staff, and we’ve taken on a number of projects that serve our community, have a positive effect on future college-going among youth, and support child development. EOU employs staff in both our Head Start and GO STEM Programs, which are fully grant-funded. We serve a large number of community members with these projects, and the benefit of their contributions to the university is undeniable!

Our student-athletes continue being champions both in and outside of the classroom. EOU captured three of the five possible titles in the Cascade Collegiate Conference this year – Men’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s Cross Country. In addition, Coach Jessy Watson of Men’s Soccer won Coach of the Year, and Ben Welch earned his 32nd career Coach of the Year honor and 14th for Men’s Cross Country. Congratulations to all of our coaches, players, and the leadership of Athletics for such a winning season!

Many thanks to our ROTC for leading the flag-raising ceremony and to the EOU Choir for beautifully performing the National Anthem as we honored Veterans Day together. I was sorry to have to miss this due to business travel, but the pictures on social media showed just how beautiful the occasion was!  

Hang in there! We’re almost at Thanksgiving break, when we can all have a welcome respite!

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Gratitude, purpose, and connection

Dear EOU Community,

The beautiful fall weather and colors are keeping me focused on the here and now. The tangerines, red, and deep greens have captured my attention and kept me focused on the things that make life enjoyable. The ride! The chaos around us can’t define who we are and what we do.

Gratitude, purpose, and connection are my keys to happiness (and for many others, if you ask psychologists). All the more reason I enjoy sitting down to write these letters to you. Sharing with you our colleagues’ successes helps reframe our commitments to each other and our shared purpose of lifting up educational opportunities for rural Oregonians. We need each other at EOU; faculty, staff, and administration are all here to lift up our work.  

As I write, I don’t know the outcome of our visit with NWCCU, but I do know that so much effort went into preparing for this visit. All across EOU, we’ve been asking hard questions about what we’ve done and how we can be our best, and I’m hopeful they saw that. Karen Clay, Angie Adams, and Provost Peter Geissinger have been our fearless leaders and organizers for this momentous visit. Special thanks to Deans Darren Dutto, Nate Lowe, and Scott McConnell for helping out with some large requests!

I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during the planned power shutdowns. With the assistance of our EOU employees, Darryl Nobles and Brad Walters, OTEC and All Phase were able to gather critical information about our medium-voltage campus utility system. EOU’s IT staff and Darryl also collaborated to ensure that the backup generators operating the Data Centers and Badgley Hall are working properly. Their coordination and hard work before and during the shutdowns have made the process run more smoothly each time. Thank you!

And thank you to all of you who help make our campus vibrant. I appreciate the Library faculty and staff for arranging their Night Against Procrastination event, which draws students in for fun and pancakes at just the right time for both studying and diversion. I’m also impressed by the new work of EOU’s American Democracy Project and their coordination with the League of Women Voters of Union County, Oregon – a nonpartisan organization – to bring a discussion about the impact of changing drug laws in our community. These are just the kinds of events that make universities special!

I’ve been doing my share of event-ing too. I really enjoyed hearing Alysia Cohen’s faculty research on “Mitigating Stress and Anxiety Among College Health Profession Students” at our faculty colloquium. Her presentation resulted in a fascinating conversation that occurred afterwards. I finished my annual meeting with every unit on campus, and it was great to have time in smaller groups to talk about our future and the big and small questions burning in our brains. Of course, supporting EOU athletics is a full-time job, and I loved catching games this weekend and welcoming Scott Crawford, NAIA’s Frontier Conference Commissioner, to EOU. EOU’s Oregon Agricultural Foundation, which supports scholarships for our students, was on campus, and I had a great time discussing our challenges and opportunities. They are such a sweet group of folks who care about our community.

Other meetings included local and state leadership. The , in which I serve as convener, met with Governor Kotek to share our priorities for regional development. I took Casey Hallgarth, Superintendent of Baker School District, for a walk around campus as we discussed how we can better partner to serve Baker County. Superintendent Halgrath is an alum, and he was excited to see some of the changes we’ve made in the past few years.  

I had some travel over the past week that took me to New York City. While I was there, I popped into the Swiss Institute / Contemporary Art New York and saw ,” an incredible exhibition that examines natural resources extraction.  Such a thoughtful exhibit that made for wonderful conversation with my travel companions. Take a look!  I also got to see the and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was all great food for my soul.

Finally, Happy Halloween EOU!  I may still be caught binging horror movies for a few more weeks, but never at the cost of serving you! Thank you to each of you who shared your favorite horror movie with me.  

Wishing you well,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Dear EOU Community

Homecoming week this year was particularly special because it gave me the opportunity to celebrate and smile at a time when I really needed it. What I most like about Homecoming is hearing about how much EOU has changed individual lives. There are so many stories, and getting to visit with current and former students lifted me up. I visited with our Athletic Hall of Fame recipients, joined our parade, met with our Alumni and Foundation Boards, and attended the tailgate and football game, among other activities. I also got to play human Scrabble with some students and see them enjoy all the fun events. Thank you to everyone who made this event so special, especially Suzannah Moore, Emily Diaz-Leal, and everyone in Athletics!  

The Library reached out with a request for all of us. I encourage you to share your thoughts with the Library by participating in this use and satisfaction survey (), open through Sunday, Oct. 19. Learning from one another is important in building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Constructive feedback helps us identify opportunities for growth.

Student success is our #1 priority, and it is with immense gratitude that I am sharing a special shout-out to our Residence Life team, who have demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience over the past several months. From successfully hosting summer camps and navigating leadership transitions to supporting ongoing capital improvement projects, their commitment to our students and fostering a vibrant campus community is unwavering. Thank you for continuing to create welcoming, supportive spaces where students can thrive, and for transforming our residence halls into true communities and our buildings into homes. 

It’s always inspiring to see the great work happening across EOU being shared throughout Oregon and beyond. Thank you, Dr. Hope Schuermann, Director of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, for sharing how EOU’s program is helping strengthen Oregon’s behavioral health workforce during your presentation to the Oregon Behavioral Health Talent Council. Thank you, Pamela Fredrick Williams, for representing EOU at the 2025 National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) and sharing how our Benefits Navigator program supports student success by connecting students to essential state supports such as SNAP and Basic Needs Oregon.

Now that we’re settled into the new school year, things have really taken off. I had the opportunity to meet with Mark Browning of Blue Mountain Community College and Mark Mulvihill of the Intermountain Educational Service District to discuss how we can better partner together. I also met with Demarée Michelau of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), La Grande’s new City Manager, John O’Brien, and the director of Union County’s Chamber of Commerce (and alum,) Saajan Chauhan, to do the same! I’ve started spending more time with some of our wonderful donors, having meetings with several of our music and mathematics scholarship donors, as well as those interested in our baseball program. I spent time with Governor Kotek and First Lady Kotek Wilson in Salem, and also got to see my niece, who just moved to Portland! And I, too, enjoy continuously sharing examples of the great work EOU is doing. 

Our internal meetings have also taken off. The University Council, Faculty Senate, and Budget and Planning/Tuition Advisory Council have all met to begin this year’s work, and I attended all these meetings. I’ve also been getting together more often with ASEOU leadership, meeting with the president and the executive leadership over the past two weeks. We hosted a vitality event with sidewalk chalk over the lunch hour today.  And, I’m still finishing up my beginning-of-the-year unit meetings with each unit on campus. Almost there!

In my free time during this time of year, I spend as much time as I can watching horror movies, but as many of you know, I am also an avid reader. One thoughtful piece worth diving into is Meghan O’Rourke’s New York Times essay, “I Teach Creative Writing. This is what A.I. Is Doing to Students.” Despite the title (which is usually out of an author’s control), it’s a very thoughtful piece worth digesting and mulling over.`

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

We’re into our second week of classes, and it’s been great to have all the “new” energy.  New students, faculty, and staff, and also to reconnect with everyone across the campus as we discuss our mission and strategies for the coming year. 

Our Week of Welcome continues to be a rousing success and a great way for each of us to connect with the newest Mounties. I had a ton of fun taking first-day pictures with our students, greeting them on the Quad at our activities fair, and visiting with them at all of our events. Thank you, Kathryn Shorts, for your energy and care for our newest students.  

Fall brings many changes, and one of my favorites is the EOU energy.  Students are filling our classrooms and study spaces, connections are being made both online and on campus, our community is filling seats at events, artwork is gracing the Nightingale Gallery, and folks are celebrating the amazing work happening at EOU. It feels like we are at our best!

As always, we have much to be grateful for:

Special thanks to Dottie McInerney and Karen Wilburn for their collaboration on EOU’s annual Legislative Fiscal Office accounting report. Through their independent and diligent work, they prepared all the required information and successfully submitted the report ahead of the state’s Gold Star deadline.

EOU Chemistry Club has again received an Outstanding Award from the American Chemical Society for the 2024-25 academic year! This is the highest possible award that a Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society can receive. Congratulations to Assistant Professor Bri Holman and the amazing student leaders and members of the Chemistry Club for all their hard work. 

Congratulations to Dr. Kelly McNeil for her vision and leadership in creating the GO ASAP (Get Outside After School Activity Program), a lasting model of experiential learning that inspires youth and EOU students. The program is featured in this celebrating the program. Special thanks to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Community Partnership Program for providing the seed funding that helped make this sustainable and impactful program possible. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of GO ASAP and to the REV (Rural Engagement and Vitality Center) for continuing this work.

The Tutoring and Family Services portion of Eastern Oregon Reading Clinic (EOURC) has been doing incredible work, and like most of our projects, doing so on a shoestring budget cobbled from grants and EOU resources. EOURC employed 5 tutors this summer and offered July and August sessions, which served 18 local children from Union, Imbler, La Grande, and some homeschool families in Union County. This equated to 130 hours of free tutoring, not previously delivered in our community. For Fall, EOURC recruited 22 EOU students, double the number of tutors usually in the fall term. Seven fall tutoring sites are planned, including after-school and evening availability. In addition, EOURC launched Family Engagement efforts in 8 counties across Eastern Oregon. All efforts are centered around their mission statement: “Partnering with families across Eastern Oregon to ensure every child is a confident, capable reader.”  EOURC began with outreach last spring and has since built partnerships with every single district and community organizations that responded! Congratulations to Professors Ronda Fritz and Jess Hagedorn for their amazing work. Wow! 

I am excited to be in community with you this year as we continue to be proud of the incredible work we do to increase knowledge, promote learning, and foster the well-being of Eastern Oregon!

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

As you may be aware, the Federal Government has shut down pending agreement on a funding package. I know that moments like this can create uncertainty, especially for those who are receiving federal financial aid and other resources. I want to assure you that ��ݮ��Ƶ is closely monitoring the situation, and we have heard from the Department of Education.

At this time, the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed that current funding disbursements will continue. Specifically:

• Pell Grants and Direct Loans remain active; however, some delays could occur if the Department of Education systems experience downtime.
• Federal Student Aid and VA benefits will continue, although disbursement timing may be adjusted due to limited staffing or system outages.
• GI Bill and VA healthcare benefits will continue without disruption.
• International Students: Visa processing and SEVP monitoring remain uninterrupted.
• Research activities: Existing federally funded projects may continue, but new awards and sponsor communications will pause until the shutdown is resolved.

I understand that this situation may raise questions and concerns. EOU’s Financial Aid, Veterans Services, and International Programs remain available to support you. Please reach out if you have concerns about your funding or benefits.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available, and hopefully, this is a short-term issue. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this together.

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Wind in our Sails

I’m feeling the regular round of excitement and anxiety as we enter the new academic year. Mostly, I’m hopeful. I’m hopeful that we will have a good year and be able to navigate the unexpected with wind in our sails. 

I had the opportunity to welcome everyone back and center the university on our shared goals at Convocation. Simultaneously, I’m doing my annual meetings with every unit on campus to make sure everyone has a chance to ask questions, create good communication channels, and enhance community spirit. I hope each of you will take advantage of these meetings, university updates, and our coffee series to stay up to date and to share your concerns.  

One of the things I enjoy most is celebrating the incredible work we do every day at EOU. Our shared success, our students’ success, is built on the dedication, creativity, and teamwork that unites us. By recognizing one another’s contributions, we strengthen our culture of appreciation, collaboration, and achievement. Using this (), I invite you to share stories of gratitude for divisions, colleges, departments, or units that have made a positive impact—whether through exceptional service, innovative ideas, behind-the-scenes support, or small gestures that made a big difference. These recognitions will be shared during an upcoming staff appreciation lunch. 

Speaking of things to celebrate, I am excited to share that Dr. Felicia Kademian-Saini, our newest Psychology faculty member, recently presented at the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma conference in San Diego. from her previous institution were honored with the IVAT Founder’s Award in recognition of their impactful work.

EOU’s Chemistry Club has been honored with a ChemLuminary Award from the Richland Section of the American Chemical Society for its 2024 Investigators of Science event. EOU was the only institution in Oregon to receive this honor in 2024. Special thanks to Assistant Professor Bri Holmen for all of your work continuing this event, and to all who serve as advisors to the Chemistry club. I am also proud to share that Dr. Anna Cavinato, Professor Emeritus, has received the for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Analytical Chemistry from the American Chemical Society’s Division of Analytical Chemistry.

So much work has been done on the campus this year to make it ready for students. Facilities has done a tremendous job readying Hoke and the Residence Halls for the new year. I was particularly touched to learn about the efforts Lisa Bridge made to help out with blinds for Daugherty. I’ve heard other examples of support from across campus in coordinating early move-ins for students, even when spaces weren’t fully ready. Thank you all for being a part of TEAM EOU!

We now have 70 volunteer Mountaineer Success Guides to mentor our students this year. WOW!!  What an amazing community we have to rally behind students like this.  Thank you, Tressa Seydel, for all the organizational work!

It’s been a very busy summer preparing for this new year. Most recently, I attended the Pendleton Round-Up to meet with local leaders, join in the parade with a large number of our students, and host a happy hour with our partners at PSU for an “urban-rural connection” event. It was a wonderful surprise to run into some of our newest Mountaineers experiencing Round-Up while participating in Summer Bridge. I even got to volunteer in the sponsor’s tent. (I was proud to be treated like a local for the first time!) I also attended the OTEC summit, where leaders throughout eastern Oregon come together to discuss economic development and leadership opportunities for our region. I had a lovely lunch with our Resident Advisors, and Oregon State University’s administration came by to pay us a visit.

The start of the academic year is a crazy time for most of us. So many things to do.  SO MANY!  I hope you are handling your load with grace and gratitude, or perhaps with loads of caffeine.   

We’re building out my schedule for the new year, and I hope you will keep me informed of any special classes, events, or ideas you have for my engagement. I know I can’t make everything, but I really enjoy the time I spend with you.

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Retreat, Re-TREAT, RETREAT!!

Retreat season is well underway again. Occasionally, I think August should just be called the Month of Retreat(s)!

Though I jest, retreats offer valuable opportunities to spend extended amounts of time together to build consensus, reconnect with our shared mission(s), and to be engaged. Among the retreats I attended was the Coalition of the Oregon Public Universities, OPU (formerly OCOP), where we discussed how universities will position themselves now and in the future. As you can imagine, these were heavy conversations as many institutions are navigating deep cuts. We also met with our very own Board of Trustees to have similar conversations about the present and future of the university and to evaluate our own fiscal health and goals. I am grateful to the all-volunteer Trustees and the Presidents of Oregon’s Public Universities for their engagement and willingness to solve challenges together.

We’ve also spent a great deal of time digging deeply into EOU’s present and future with faculty, staff, and administration. Last week, the vice presidents presented their visions, challenges, and opportunities to the EOU Leadership Group to get feedback and build momentum. At the end of this month, this same group will participate in professional development, and the cabinet will have additional training focused on better communication, as well as change management accountability.

Last week, I also had the opportunity to meet up with our friends from Wenzao University during their visit to Oregon.  We built some next steps in our partnership and deepened our relationships.  And a few weeks earlier, I attended the Eastern Oregon Economic Summit, where legislators, not-for-profits, and businesses came together to converse and get up to speed on major issues in our region.  

Recently, I had the opportunity to update the campus on major news at our University Updates.  It was nice to see so many individuals tuning in, and I’m hopeful we will have continued engagement. I feel these moments are really important to prevent the very natural instinct of filling in information or assuming motivations when we are in search of answers.  Please remember, it’s okay to ask questions. In fact, it’s helpful.

EOU continues to receive well-deserved recognition for our support of student success. If you have not recently viewed the EOU Distinctions & Recognitions webpage, I encourage you to do so. Here are some of the most current.

• EOU has been recognized as a 2024-25 Champions of Character® Five-Star Institution . Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, staff and faculty. The support, encouragement, leadership, and high standards are truly impactful.
• The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has honored EOU’s women’s volleyball team with the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award for “matching our volleyball achievements with academic excellence.” To receive this national award, the team must achieve a combined GPA of 3.3 or higher in the 2024-2025 academic year. A big thank you and congratulations to our student-athletes and Coach McLean Morehead, who went above and beyond, earning an impressive team GPA of 3.649!  
• ��ݮ��Ƶ has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025 , which recognizes excellence in developing and supporting dynamic, innovative pathways for community college transfer students.
• Congratulations to the College of Education for its new program approval from NWCCU for the Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership program.

Kate Gekeler, graduate of the Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Program and very beloved former employee of EOU, gave  of legislation promoting Behavioral Health initiatives with Governor Kotek! Love her smile in this photo!!

With gratitude, appreciation, and congratulations, I am proud to announce that Bennie Moses-Mesubed has received the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates award. Congratulations, Bennie, and thank you for all you do for our students.  We are honored to work alongside you!

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Summer has taken off! A month ago, we held a wonderful commencement, and I’m grateful to everyone for their support in making this a special day for our graduates. I hope everyone enjoyed the Juneteenth and July 4th holidays. I know we all needed it!

July 1, 2025, was the 10th anniversary of ��ݮ��Ƶ becoming an independent institution. It’s an interesting time for this anniversary, given the extensive discussion in higher education about the importance of independent governing boards. I’m deeply appreciative of our board’s service, which asks a lot in terms of time and dedication to our mission.

We’ve had some incredible things to celebrate since I last wrote:

The College of Marshall Islands and EOU’s College of Business have developed a partnership to send students through our MBA program. Congratulations to AVP Bennie Moses-Mesubed and Dean Scott McConnell.  

Our Mountaineer Success Guides’ impact on the students they serve is positively contributing to student success, with new first-year and new transfer students experiencing a 2% and 7% higher persistence rate than their peers without a guide. Thank you to all our Success Guides and Tressa Seydel for leading the charge. Sixty EOU faculty and staff have signed up to help out next year. Amazing, and thank you!

Our Summer Institutes registered 65 students this year (a leap from 51 in 2024), and more of the students who attend these Institutes are choosing to attend EOU – up to 46%!  Thank you to Kathleen Brown and all the faculty and staff involved!

��ݮ��Ƶ has once again been recognized as a College of Distinction for 2025–2026, marking our 10th year receiving this prestigious honor. In addition to overall institutional excellence, EOU earned distinctions for its , , and . We are also proud to be the only institution in Oregon awarded the  designation.

We’ve had some incredible successes this year in Athletics, which culminated in our second-highest ever ranking in the . Our student athletes are excellent students, too! Nearly 50% of undergraduate student athletes made our dean’s list in Spring 2025. Athletic camps have been busy, busy, busy this summer, with over 1,800 registrations for our football, volleyball, wrestling, and basketball camps!

As part of our new Ascent ‘29 Strategies, academic advisors have been registering students as soon as possible for Fall 2025 to reduce summer melt, and they’ve registered 35 more newly admitted students than they did last year. Thank you, advisors! 

Our Onboarding Strategy Team delivered a final report to Cabinet Plus, as they will now be advancing new programming for new staff employees in August. Their clever work resulted in an onboarding Canvas shell, a new checklist that prioritizes employee and supervisor engagement, and mentors to help employees adjust to our EOU community. More to come! Thank you to Jamie Landa, Kimberly Newman, and Chris McLaughlin, who spearheaded the movement to its launch.

I’ve been busy planning for the next academic and fiscal year, alongside everyone else at EOU! Finance and Administration has been closing the books on FY25 and preparing for FY26. A lot of hard work goes into these final moments all across the EOU staff!

We continue to work on our Ascent ’29 Strategies this summer to meet the promises we made when we collaboratively designed the work. In the works are a new communication plan for students, the Hoke Union’s student-centered redesign, a new comprehensive fundraising campaign, the Academic Master Plan, and many other projects. We look forward to working with everyone on each of these projects.

Wishing you some summer bliss!

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan, Ph.D.

President

Dogged Determination

We are at the point in the academic calendar when we turn from dogged determination to get to the finish line to celebrations of all of our accomplishments.  (And I really mean dogged). 

I had the opportunity last week to say a few words to Union County GED graduates. I shared with them that I thought we had a lot in common. Our shared efforts revealed that we believe learning matters, credentials matter, and that progress is necessary to achieve success. I saw the same dogged determination in their eyes that I see often at our university this time of year. Yes, they were happy to be done. Yes, it was a struggle to get where they landed.  

That same day, I attended the Mountie Awards, a celebration of our student athletes and their accomplishments. (Think prom plus Golden Globes). Every time I spend time with large groups of our students – from artists to athletes – I  am humbled and honored by our role in advancing their success. It’s encouraging to see how much they’ve grown academically while also making strides in their sport.   

And again, on that same day, I met with Cabinet, the Provost, Faculty Senate (apologies for leaving early to go to the GED graduation), the VPFA, and others. By the end of the week I attended the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show (a first for me), celebrated the end of the year with classified staff, watched students release some stress by smashing cars, hosted our retirement reception, had a lovely coffee with a faculty member, met with a trustee, discussed local issues with County Commissioner Paul Anderes, and a ton of other meetings with folks at EOU. 

Amid this maelstrom of meetings, the proposed federal funding for higher education emerged, as this indicates. This is a signal that EOU, like other institutions, will face significant challenges that we will have to manage together in the coming year. Please know that we are keeping a keen eye on these proposed changes and advocating for our students and each of you.  

As I turned to this week, we’ve moved more forcefully into celebration mode. Our commencement ceremony is just days away, and we have many other events to make our students feel special before their big moment.

I am truly excited for our graduates and their future. I am also very proud of us for making their success possible, amid our own challenges. I hope you will take a moment over this week to reflect on how you added to our success, because we couldn’t have done it without all of us!    

Go Mounties!

Sincerely,

What we do is worth celebrating!

Faculty and staff are excelling at teaching, researching, and providing services. Here is the we sent to the Board of Trustees this week that outlines many of these achievements. I am proud of all the amazing things we’ve been doing! Take a look and send a celebratory note to one of the amazing people or units making progress!

EOU has been “event-tastic” the last few weeks. Some highlights included our Celebration of Scholarships – an event to honor the EOU Foundation’s donors and the student scholarship recipients. This year, the EOU Foundation will offer over $1,300,000 in scholarships for the first time. Good news for all of our students! We had an incredible production of Fiddler on the Roof. I loved seeing our students grow in their performances, and our community members enjoyed the show both on and off stage!  We held the of the restored Grand Staircase, the All Student Juried Art Exhibit, and celebrated Blue and Gold weekend. Among our larger events was the 50th Annual Powwow. The Spring Symposium was particularly inspiring, especially talking with students about their projects, showcasing all the fine work they do.

A tremendous amount of work goes into each of these events. I’m grateful to everyone who was behind these moments, creating memories and wonderful experiences.  

Of course, it wouldn’t be May without a ton of meetings! We held our Alumni and Foundation Board meetings, and our Board of Trustees met, all to plan and make substantial decisions for EOU’s future. I met with the Council of Presidents for the Cascades Collegiate Conference and learned about NAIA’s new “.” Check it out! I had a lovely meeting with the Adler Foundation, a charitable organization that has donated over $3,000,000 in scholarships to Baker City and North Powder students attending EOU since 1999. Wow! We held our most recent University Updates Town Hall to discuss the Great Colleges to Work For results and actions we’ve taken to improve the university.  And I had the opportunity to meet with a few superintendents, our Eastern Oregon community college presidents, and our shared governance bodies. 

At present, we are predicting 60 more graduates walking in Commencement this year than last.  I cannot think of any better news than that. Thank you to everyone. All of us make this possible! 

I am grateful for all the support Coach Christian and her staff provided to our softball team during the NAIA World Series. They faced some tough competitions in high heat and humidity, and stayed focused during an ever-changing schedule due to more severe weather. Despite the challenges, they finished strong and represented EOU with pride. Congratulations on placing third at the NAIA Softball College World Series (highest finish in program history)!

The men’s and women’s track & field teams had a strong showing at the NAIA National Championships, held in Marion, Indiana. In the team standings, the men’s team finished tied for seventh place, and the women’s team placed tied for 17th. The Mounties had seven All-Americans! Congratulations to the team, and thank you to Coach Welch and his staff for all your work with our student-athletes.

Sincerely,

May is a tough time of year at the university. Yes, it’s really beautiful. But also yes, we are really tired. This includes our students. I recently wrote a peppy email to our students encouraging them to focus on their next step rather than the longer journey, and I got some really great emails back sharing what their next steps are. Among those emails was high praise for EOU that I want to share with you. 

A student wrote: “This school has been awesome! This is only my 3rd term here, but I feel like I have already learned so much. Every teacher I have had has been amazing! I’m really enjoying getting to know them and have had pleasant interactions with every single one of them so far.  My peers have been great too! Even though I am almost twice the age of most of them, they don’t make me feel like it. I’m looking forward to one more school year after this term and walking across the stage next year.”

I hope this note empowers your next step, because what we do every single day matters.

Thank you to all who participated in my EOU swag survey. The most popular responses to “What EOU swag would you use?” were stickers, non-plastic water bottles, and socks!  We’ve heard you, and now we will get to work.

I’ve been sharing our progress on the Ascent strategies since February – with the EOU Board, at university council, at faculty senate, and now to all in the community. We are proud to release the new Ascent 2029 Strategic Blueprint webpages that include our collaborative work in building and realizing our strategies and plans. Check it out!

I’ve had many opportunities this week to be in community with you. One highlight over the past few weeks was attending the CEAD conference. Dr. Jeremiah Sim’s message of compassion, love, and community was exactly what I needed to hear, and it lifted my spirits to learn more about his journey and teachings.  

I also wanted to publicly express my gratitude to Alassane Diagne for filling in as Interim Director of Admissions. And of course, a hearty welcome back to Dr. Genesis Meaderds! We missed her!

Finally, I wanted to share that we will focus on the Great Colleges to Work For Survey at the next University Updates, which will be in person and on Zoom on May 15. As you may recall, I hoped to discuss this in February, but we had so many changes coming from the federal administration that we had to shift gears.

Hang in there. We’re almost at commencement – our most important day at the university!

PS.  Great news – our and teams won the Cascades Championship again! Congratulations to Coach Welch and Christian on their incredible successes!!

PPS: Breaking news! With a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 8th inning of the NAIA Softball Opening Round, our softball team is headed to the NAIA World Series!

Sincerely,

We’ve had another whirlwind couple of weeks. One of the highlights was the Technical and Regional Universities – TRU –  at the Capitol, where EOU students, faculty, staff, and administrators met with legislators to share the financial challenges and amazing opportunities that come with being part of one of our four fabulous regional universities in Oregon. I’m grateful to all who participated in making this day a success!

We’re still working hard to get results from our lobbying efforts. Today, I am delivering to the Joint Ways and Means Committee alongside students attending Oregon’s public universities in support of funding. Tomorrow, Thursday, May 1, I am again presenting, alongside others from the Technical and Regional Universities, to the .

While in Salem last week, I met a student who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Services Administration. He shared that he took classes for over a decade to reach this milestone, and he’s now thrilled that his child will be attending the university. His persistence inspired me. We create generational opportunities and expectations when we can educate just one individual. It’s so powerful!

Last Friday, I watched our softball team defeat Southern Oregon University after playing for 15 innings. I’ve never seen a game like that. Inning after inning, showing up, being persistent, and fighting for the win. A big shout out to Coach Nicole Christian and the entire team and staff! I was touched at the senior day presentation by how deeply each of our players was impacted by their time at EOU as students and athletes, and by how we prepared them for their next steps.

EOU’s men’s wrestling student-athletes have been named the for a second straight year, with a 3.60 GPA — the highest in the country. Shout outs to these students, their coaching team, and their professors. Thank you all for prioritizing our students’ education.

It truly is our students who keep the world moving because each of us creates space for them to learn and grow.

Loads of other work is in progress. Last week, I visited Umatilla Superintendent Heidi Sipes, Hermiston High School Principal Thomas Spoo, and IMESD Superintendent Mark Mulvihill. Locally, I gathered with County Commissioner Matt Scarfo and Superintendent and Board Chair George Mendoza. Other notable work includes the Board of Trustees committee meetings – a full day focusing on the future of EOU. We also welcomed the Oregon Supreme Court to campus, where students from more than eight high schools and charter schools witnessed the judicial process firsthand. Additionally, the newly formed Union County League of Women Voters visited to discuss ways to elevate civic engagement in our community. Finally, I supported the Chronicle of Higher Education on Work-Force Development as their featured speaker, bringing attention to our great work right here!  

I know each of you is very busy too, balancing the many demands on your plates.  Know that I am thinking of you.

Sincerely,

Dear EOU Community,

EOU was abuzz with activity the last two weeks. We’ve hosted the Oregon Joint Ways and Means Committee. The “” brought our university together in support of funding for higher education. Our Board of Trustees’ committees met. We had a rousing rock-paper-scissors tournament. EOU’s Center for Culturally Responsive Practices hosted Kristen French and Elizabeth Bragg, scholars in Tribal Sovereignty, Indigenous History, and Native American Fiction. Our annual Dual Credit BBQ served over 100 students. The Hispanic Film Festival commenced with a great first film. The High School Math Competition brought over 200 students to EOU, and the 8th annual Pacific Island Mathematics Undergraduate Conference (PiMUC) was a success with 13 different universities and colleges represented from as far away as WSU Everett, WA and Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID. Wow! 

I am so full of gratitude for all the individuals who have worked so hard to make our campus lively, vital, and engaged in our community. Let’s each make a point to express gratitude to at least one of the individuals involved in these wonderful events!!  

Amid this wonderful work, we have additional things to celebrate (and please don’t forget to fill out the survey at the end before you click away!) 

The trapshooting team had an outstanding season, winning the West Coast Championship and advancing to the ACUI National Championships in San Antonio, where they competed against 117 universities and over 1,200 athletes. For the second time, they earned the ACUI West Coast High Overall Team award. Freshman Nick McLaughlin shot 100 straight in American Trap, then another 74/75 in the shoot-off, finishing third nationally. Senior Elias Tollefson made the All-American list for the third consecutive year. I am proud to share that five team members received Certificates of Academic Achievement from the ACUI Clay Targets and Scholastic Clay Target program. The team finished 8th in their division and remains the top team from the West Coast Region. 

The 2025 Governor’s Food Drive competition results at EOU were announced. Thank you to our organizers, to everyone who offered encouragement, and to all who donated — way to go, EOU!

Huge thank you to Auburn Isaak, Peter Wordelman, Suzannah Moore, John Garlitz, Paul Nauert, and Tim Seydel for helping make the Ways and Means visit impactful. Several leaders shared that it was the best event they held this year because of our organization.

Our and senior art showcases are underway, and it was heartwarming to see friends and family come out to support our talented artists at the opening receptions. Thank you to our dedicated art faculty for making it all possible!

Congratulations to the College of Education’s Reading Clinic on receiving four grants! The Reading Clinic at ��ݮ��Ƶ received $1.25 million in funding through the Oregon Department of Education’s Early Literacy Success Community Grant program. This statewide initiative supports research-aligned, high-dosage tutoring, tutor training, and authentic engagement with families and caregivers of early elementary students. In addition to this state-level support, the Reading Clinic has received to deepen its local and regional impact. The Wildhorse Foundation awarded $25,220 to fund tutor compensation and curriculum materials, expanding access to literacy support in schools, after-school programs, and remote settings. The Meyer Memorial Trust granted $140,000 through its Our Empowered Youth project to expand tutoring services and professional development for teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators in rural communities. The Ford Family Foundation contributed $10,000 to further strengthen tutoring services and educator training.

We love EOU. We love EOU swag! Making branded items more accessible is part of the Ascent ‘29 strategies. What I would love to know is what swag you would use the most: a clear tote bag, a clear sling bag, water bottle, stickers, socks, phone stand…? Please complete this super short and share your preferences with me by April 30.

Finally, I wanted to share how much it meant to me to be part of our community during our “Rally in Our Valley.” As I head to Salem next week for a lobby day and a presentation before Ways and Means, I want you to know how much you filled my heart, and I will take that passion with me.  We will continue pushing for our story to be heard.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

I hope many of you had a peaceful break. My calendar slowed a bit, and it was great to catch up and have some time for fun. I know many of you worked over the break prepping for classes, getting students registered, working on our facilities, coaching, budgeting, and making decisions. Thank you!

Happy spring term! We’re now in the final stretch towards our commencement ceremony, when we get to see how all of the efforts we’ve made have led to so many students’ and families’ success.  

Simultaneously, it gets warmer, and we get to watch buds and green colors appear in the valley prior to the heat of the summer. I love this time of rebirth. (I suspect that those of you with allergies are not as pleased as I am!)

Great work continues throughout our campus.

Please join me in congratulating Lyle Henderson, EOU IT Programmer, for receiving an Honorable Mention for his submission of the My.EOU Portal in . This contest celebrates creativity and innovation and acknowledges the positive impact on the success of students, staff, and faculty. Lyle will be recognized at the Ellucian Live conference this month.

Congratulations are also in order for Haley Evans, EOU Controller, and her team, who were recently notified by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services that EOU received the Oregon Agency Gold Star Award for 2024. The Gold Star Award is Oregon’s equivalent to the nationally recognized Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, issued each year by the Government Finance Officers Association. This award requires the timely and accurate completion of related to our Financial Statements. Thanks to the expertise and diligence of our Finance & Administration team, EOU has received this award 9 times in the past 10 years! 

I also want to give a shout-out to all the folks who have been publicizing the food drive. Thank you to Bill Grigsby, MJ Heather, Kate Gekeler and all the others who’ve sent messages encouraging our giving.  

Have a beautiful day!

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Dear EOU Community,

It’s March and we’re planning to bring it in with cookies! Friday, March 7 is Employee Appreciation Day, and we’re having cookies at the top of the Grand Staircase between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to celebrate you! I hope you’ll join us for some good cheer and (hopefully) sunshine. Our inclement weather day plan is to meet in the Inlow Boardroom.

We’ve had a really busy month advocating for Higher Education funding. Several EOU students (1:22 mark) at the House Higher Education Committee to share how Strong Start funding enabled their transition to EOU. Kathleen Brown and I (32:25 mark) in support of our Early College Initiatives bill, and Dr. Hope Schuerman and student Lisa Whipple (22:37 mark) in support of a Behavioral Health Bill. Dean Scott McConnell (15:58) on our Adults in Custody Bill yesterday. As you read this, VP Seydel and I are in Washington, DC meeting with the Oregon Federal Delegation on behalf of EOU.

We’ve also been spending time with some EOU donors and supporters . Our Foundation and Alumni Boards met, and we hosted a social for our President’s Circle donors at an EOU basketball game. The following evening we hosted donors in Portland at a Trail Blazers game. We had the pleasure of talking with Senator Kate Lieber while there. We’re grateful for Moda Senior Vice President Robin Richardson’s generosity and for Trustee Chuck Hofmann helping us make connections. 

I really enjoyed the recent opportunities to gather as a community at the Koffee with Kelly and in University Updates. University Updates was particularly important as we discussed the changing of the federal and state landscape. I had fun connecting with students at our Valentines S’mores Event, Brain Break Campus Vitality Event, and in a meeting with the Association of Student Athletes. The student-athletes shared their hopes and challenges, as well as how appreciative they are of the faculty and staff who support them on their journeys. I’m also impressed with the way they support each other, both at games and by focusing on mental wellness. 

Professor Kelly McNeil and her intern, Katie Brown, have created some really great events and activities to support students, staff, and faculty, including the Stress Less Event today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Soon, Professor McNeil and her class will be releasing a free Canvas site to students to help them manage stress, lack of sleep, and physical wellness. They are also working on a project to engage faculty and staff with similar issues, so look out for information soon. 

Of course, there are loads of other wonderful things happening. The EOU Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams both advanced to the CCC Quarterfinals, while the Women’s and Men’s Wrestling teams competed at the CCC Championships, where the women’s wrestling team was recognized with a Sportsmanship Award. Each wrestling team has six qualifiers advancing to the upcoming NAIA Championships. Additionally, the Women’s and Men’s Indoor Track & Field teams competed at the NAIA Indoor National Championships, where five Mounties earned All-American honors.

All of these efforts are a good reminder that we don’t have to wait for the storms to pass – we can take action to support ourselves, each other and create community. Thank you for being champions of the work we do, and I hope to see you on Friday to celebrate you!

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Dear EOU Community,

I had the opportunity to attend the EOU Chamber Choir and Music Department’s You, Me & We show, and I found myself getting emotional – even misty-eyed – as it represented so much of what we do. I thought about the students who performed last year and hoped they were successful and happy in their post-graduation lives. I watched others who are continuing in their growth as performers, as well as some who participated for the first time. I’m really proud of the way that our faculty and staff make events like this possible (thank you Red Cross Drug for your financial support!). I am also extremely proud of our students who rise to the challenge. 

It’s a truly beautiful thing that we do – we see potential in each other and we are willing to foster its development. 

I saw this same spirit at our basketball game last weekend and in the student experiential learning session at the recent Board of Trustees meeting. I also witnessed it in some performance appraisal listening sessions we’ve been having. 

People want to mentor, coach, and support each other. They want to find ways to help.

And of course, I’ve heard about some amazing things that are happening across the university. I recently delivered a 13-page president’s report (!) to the board (thanks to the deans and athletics) highlighting some of the great work we’ve been doing.

Some more highlights I’ve heard about directly include:

Despite adverse weather conditions which impacted the numbers originally shared in my president’s report, EOU welcomed 254 students, 14 advisors, and 17 FBLA chapters on February 6. Participants competed for the opportunity to advance to the state FBLA competition in Portland. Thank you, Dean McConnell, the College of Business and all who supported making this a great experience!

Congratulations to the Eastern Oregon Science Journal staff: The Eastern Oregon Science Journal, Volume V (2022-2024), received two awards from the American Scholastic Press Association: First Place with Special Merit and Most Outstanding Department Journal (Social Science). The journal was praised as “an amazing publication… a model for those up-and-coming magazines.” Great job!

We’ve had a LOT of snow.  Big shout out to our grounds crew for coming in early, clearing our sidewalks, and keeping us all safe!

Thank you for sharing your highlights—keep them coming! I appreciate all that you do every day contributing to the beautiful work we do.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.

Dear EOU Community,

As I write, the sun has just popped over the mountain leaving a crest of bright orange, red, and yellow; it’s a beautifully peaceful moment. And honestly, it’s just what I need after a couple of crazy hectic weeks. 

By the time you read this, we’re just about done with finals, and there’s grading, advising, accounting, auditing, inspecting, cleaning, and reporting to be done. Phew. Yet, we’re also almost there. (I’m looking at you Staircase!)

I hope each of you is looking forward to our shared time of rest and relaxation over the winter break. It’s well earned, and I know many of us are desperate for it.

We’ve had some crazy fun as well as deeply engaged work that I’m hopeful will continue our momentum. I remain grateful for all the partnerships that help us push forward as well as the daily work and struggles to serve students, our mission, and each other. I’d really like us to spend some time in the next year reviewing our progress on Ascent ‘29 as the work has been moving. I also hope we can talk more about our culture and where we want that to be.

I’ve had some beautiful moments at our university that have closed out the winter term, including our end of the year celebration and Koffee with Kelly series. All the students, faculty, and staff in attendance came in good spirits and lifted me up on both occasions. I visited Dr. Paul Nauert’s class to watch students engage in a mock trial related to the War on Terror. I had fun playing a judge and witnessing the students debate with each other. Dr. Kelly McNeil gave a fascinating presentation about the effectiveness of avalanche safety training to a packed house at Side A. I closed out last week with a meeting with the President’s Commission on Student Success and Belonging. They are making great headway with an impressive student engagement action plan for next year. Finally, I’ve begun work with a talented array of staff, faculty, and administration to assess our OPM contract.

As you’d expect, I’ve also been in our larger community quite a bit. VP Seydel and I have spent the better part of the current and last week in Portland and Salem, working with the Oregon Council of Presidents, the business community, and lobbying alongside our students to press for additional funding. I’ve also been in community with our region, working with the Northeast Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee, the Intermountain Education Services District, the Grande Ronde Hospital, the La Grande School District, and attending the Soroptimist’s Festival of Trees. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the talented performances of the EOU Chamber Choir, 45th Parallel Ensemble, our African Drumming Group, EOU’s Fiddle Ensemble, the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, and the Grande Ronde Music Association Community Band and Choir at The Observer’s 32nd Annual Holiday Music Festival. 

EOU volleyball finished the year as one of the NAIA top programs. I am so proud of our volleyball coaches and players who advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship. Congratulations to EOU Track & Field coaches as well. The meet on Saturday resulted in many athletes placing in the indoor season opener held at EOU with Sara McKen breaking the all-time program 60 meter record finishing in 7.73 seconds. Wow!

It’s been a whirlwind that makes this morning’s sunrise all the more beautiful. I’m wishing you a few moments of brilliant peace.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.

Dear Campus Community,

Recently, in one of my biweekly letters to students, I asked students to share with me their greatest success this term. I had a truly heartwarming response from a single mom who chose EOU to pursue her goals. She had always wanted to go to college, but with a couple of kids to raise, she didn’t feel she had the time. After a 20 year hiatus, she’s now attending EOU online and trying to stay motivated and keep up with her courses. She credits her success this term to her wonderful professors who have taken the time to help her navigate her new exciting, challenging, and bumpy path. Thank you for taking the time, giving of yourselves, and being patient. We are changing lives!

A great deal of hard work and dedication from faculty and staff has resulted in some good news for EOU and our students:

The College of Sciences, Technology, Mathematics and Health Sciences (CSTMHS) was awarded a Technology Workforce Ready Grant in the amount of $1,142,977.00. With this grant funding, CSTMHS EOU-ACTS (Acquisition of Computer and Technical Skills) will provide cybersecurity training for 70 Computer Science students and Information Technology internships for six students at ��ݮ��Ƶ (EOU) over two years. Great work kudos to Darren Dutto, Jeff Carman, Justin Montgomery, and their contributors Steve Sheehy and Brian Scavotto.

GOSTEM was awarded a Technology Workforce Ready Grant in the amount of $444,999.00. With this grant funding, GOSTEM seeks to hire a Technology Workforce Exploration Educator (TWEE) to develop and provide Technology-focused lessons via our established Mobile Maker Lab Effort (MMLE), and act as the expert-in-residence to empower local educators to craft hyper-local lessons, harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Good job GO STEM!

For more additional information here is the HECC .

On November 1st, Grace Donovan of REV (Rural Engagement & Vitality Center) took two interns from the Rural Planning Program to Salem for Student Planning Day hosted by the Department of Land Conservation and Development to engage and encourage planning students. This was the first time since DLCD started hosting student planning day that EOU has participated, and our students were the only undergrads in the room.  On the drive home the students shared that grad students were envious of the opportunities EOU students had to directly impact and support a community planning project.

This year, we re-launched the American Democracy Project. Campus coordinator Nicole Howard shares that 20 students took part in the . This challenge connects our students with others across the nation to develop their skills in discussing major topics of interest to our nation. On average, students rated the experience an 8.9 (on a scale of 1-10).

• 79.9% said the experience helped them consider new perspectives they hadn’t considered before.
• 78.5% said they felt comfortable sharing their points of view on political or current events in class (versus 44.2% prior to participation).
• 71.9% said they were hopeful or somewhat hopeful about our democracy (versus 42.3% prior to participation).
• 78.4% believe Americans share many of the same goals for the country (versus 46.2% prior to participation).

What a great experience for our students! Professor Howard has a lot of cool stories, and I hope you will be in touch with her to learn more and connect with her about future endeavors you may want to participate in.  

Men claimed 11th and Women 25th at the . Our EOU team won their first ever. Volleyball is headed to Sioux City after defeating UC Merced 3-1 in the !
Go Mounties!

I’m wishing everyone a restful Thanksgiving Holiday. We’ve earned it!

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.