Eastern Oregon University selected for national AASCU initiative on student value

Eastern Oregon University selected for national AASCU initiative on student value

Eastern Oregon University selected for national AASCU initiative on student value

LA GRANDE, Ore. - Eastern Oregon University is one of 10 universities across the country to participate in workshops led by the Association of American State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) focused on the value of higher education.

The Postsecondary Value Framework (PVF) defines and measures whether postsecondary education delivers meaningful value for students and society. It was developed by the Postsecondary Value Commission, launched in 2019 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by the Institute for Higher Education Policy.

University leadership, faculty, and staff spent an intensive day and a half examining how the PVF informs EOU's projects and programs, focusing on outcomes for students, families, business, industry, and communities.

"The Postsecondary Value Framework (PVF) is highly aligned with EOU's existing strategic direction," said EOU President Kelly Ryan. "The framework asks institutions to organize strategy around whether students receive equitable access, affordability, support, completion, earnings, and wealth-building value from a postsecondary credential. At EOU, that is exactly what we are doing."

Recent initiatives at EOU, including graduate student enrollment growth, expanded scholarships, the Mountaineer Success Team Program, TRIO Student Support Services, workforce grants, rural educator pathways, and new entrepreneurship and behavioral health programs, show that Oregon's Rural University is focused not only on providing access to higher education but on ensuring that students complete, thrive, and contribute to the vitality of rural communities. EOU has also been noted for having some of the highest average alumni earnings in Oregon and the lowest tuition rates.

"I firmly believe in the life-changing power of higher education," Ryan said. "And I believe in the people here at EOU who volunteered to do this workshop because they are committed to supporting our students and serving our region."To learn more about the Postsecondary Value Framework, visit postsecondaryvalue.org or at AASCU https://aascu.org/resources/making-value-the-strategy/.