Todas las NOTICIAS

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to highlight the accomplishments of alumnus Michael Waller ‘08. Waller received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Western, leading him to a career in social work. Western introduced Waller to his two passions which are acting and sociology. Waller shares that he always knew he wanted to help people and while at Western,  learned there were a multitude of avenues he could take. Currently, he is a school social worker at McDaniel High School in Portland and a working actor.  “One of the biggest things I learned at Western was to take chances. I did not believe that I could get into some of the things I’m into today. I was introduced to some staff at Western who really challenged me,” shared Waller. “They challenged me to have critical thinking and I wouldn’t be where I’m at without it. I recommend Western to everyone.”  Waller’s story is a testament to Western’s commitment to supporting students in discovering and following their passions. His dedication to supporting youth through social work exemplifies the impactful contributions that Western alumni make to society, showcasing the values of compassion, leadership, and excellence instilled by their alma mater. Watch Michael Waller’s success story ### About Western Oregon University Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus...

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University hosted Polk County’s youth conference earlier this month for the second year in a row. The conference invited all rural Polk County high school juniors to Picture their Future.  Polk County Family & Community Outreach Department (FCO) Prevention Program’s goal for this conference was to open the students’ minds on what opportunities are available to them after high school. This included hearing from industry professionals about their careers, including Western’s President Jesse Peters. “It was great to have President Peters speak and for bringing energy to the conference early on. It was really exciting because, for many students, when they can hear from someone in Western’s administration, they feel so welcomed at the conference and on campus,” shared Annie Buse, prevention coordinator at FCO. “We love hosting this conference at Western because students have shared that this is their dream school and for others, until they are on Western’s campus, they don’t know it’s an option for them.” Western hosts a variety of conferences throughout the year. This conference echoes Western’s commitment to supporting students in their career goals.  ### About Western Oregon University Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction.  Together we...

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Aquarium Science program received a grant from the Western Foundation Competitive Grants program to create a display aquarium in the lobby of the Natural Science building.  The Aquarium Science program trains students in the science of aquatic animal husbandry. Graduates are trained to be an aquarist, which is someone who manages aquariums and takes care of marine and freshwater plants and animals. Coordinated with Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC), this program combines core biology, business, and general education classes. Students complete their final year of coursework at OCCC in Newport, Ore. The 100-gallon aquarium is on loan from OCCC. It currently houses two Siamese algae eaters, which can live around 8-10 years and grow up to 17cm. They are found primarily in Southeast Africa. A rope fish is also in the tank, which can live around 15-20 years and grow up to 15 inches. Rope fish are found in West and Central Africa. The fish are currently being cared for by Brooke Belluomini, a current Aquarium Science major.  Additionally, several dozen small bladder snails are moving around in the tank to help keep the tank clean. They live for about two years and are found in freshwater habitats worldwide. A common aquarium plant Elodea, often called waterweed, is planted in the tank. Learn more about the Aquarium Science program   ###   About Western Oregon University Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the...

Pictured: Wyatt Smith MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University student Wyatt Smith is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in History. He recently traveled to Florida with USA Track & Field to narrate a championship road race.  USA Track & Field hosts outdoor and indoor championships nationwide. Smith is working through their road racing initiative, which is fairly new. These races allow pro athletes to compete and win prize money. Smith’s role consists of recording the races with a camera in a gator, while commentating updates, prize pools, and expected winners to the audience. Smith started working for RunnerSpace during his freshman year at Western and has moved up in the last three years to various roles. He has now directed seven national championships in Canada and the United States. “Commentating is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve had the voice for it, and when I watch track and field events, I’m always able to predict what the announcers are going to say before they say it. So, it has been pretty easy for me.” shared Smith. Smith is a current Track & Field athlete at Western, competing in the 800 and 1500 races. He credits the ability to work and be an athlete to his coach, Zachary Holloway, assistant Track & Field coach, who has supported him and helped balance their schedules. He will return to Western this fall to start a master’s degree in teaching.  ### About Western Oregon University Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA...

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s annual Giving Day, Howl from the Heart, held on March 5, saw great engagement. With 696 donors giving to nearly 60 funds, Giving Day raised $208,406 as of Friday, March 15. These funds will support scholarships, campus clubs, student organizations, academic programs, and athletics. Gifts were received from 26 states and Washington, D.C.  on Giving Day. The top three funds to receive gifts were the Fund for WOU, Volleyball, and Men’s Soccer, with a combined total of 273 gifts.  Western also launched its first-ever Giving Day service project at Heron Pointe Senior Living Center in Monmouth. Students spent the afternoon of Giving Day socializing and playing games with the residents.  “This year’s Giving Day once again proved the commitment and dedication to student success from our generous donors,” says Dave Beasley, director of annual giving at the WOU  Foundation. “We are immensely grateful for each gift we received, and we are excited about the bright future such gifts will make possible at Western.” Falling on the first Tuesday in March, Western’s annual day of giving has encouraged alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff to support areas of need across campus that positively impact students. Since 2016, donors have contributed more than $1.5 million on Giving Day to benefit the Western community. Learn more about supporting Western and its students.  ### About Western Oregon University Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably,...

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University highlights the publications of new works by staff and faculty. From October 2023 to February 2024, 37 works have been published, showcasing the dedication and expertise of the Western community. In addition to traditional publications, faculty have been actively involved in creating materials through the Open Educational Resources (OER) program. OER are freely available teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license permitting their free use and re-purposing by others. Under an open license, OER materials permit everyone to engage in the 5Rs: Retain, Reuse, Revise, Remix, and Redistribute. This allows educators and learners to adapt and customize the materials to suit their needs, fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment.  The OER program at Western launched in February 2020, and since then, faculty have been actively involved in creating and refining valuable teaching resources. From open textbooks and full courses to modules, syllabi, and lab activities, the OER materials cover a wide range of digital learning resources.  Faculty and staff value strong connections between the university and the community, and sharing knowledge through publications and the OER is one of the many ways Western continues to serve the community.  More information about the OER program More information about recent staff and faculty publications ### About Western Oregon University Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student...

2024 Cohort Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University, in partnership with Uplift Oregon, and additional sponsoring state agencies, introduces the Career Mobility Accounting Program, which is a groundbreaking professional development initiative exclusively for employees working for the State of Oregon. Specifically, it provides professional development opportunities for state employees, allowing them to obtain industry-valued knowledge and skills for Accountant I & II and Tax Auditing positions within the state at no cost. The program has been purposefully designed to tackle the issue of filling vacant and challenging-to-fill positions by leveraging the existing talent pool within the state. It provides individuals with opportunities to broaden their skills, empowering them to seamlessly align with the requirements of these positions. “Career Mobility supports the needs of the state workforce and provides no-cost education and guided support for state employees to develop professional skills to advance their careers,” said Whitney Johnson, Career Mobility program manager with Uplift Oregon.  Western has partnered with Uplift Oregon to offer the instruction for the program. The following agencies are sponsoring partners: Service Employees International Union Local 503, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Housing and Community Services, the Department of Consumer and Business Services, the Department of Revenue, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. “We are thrilled to extend this professional growth opportunity to our state agency partners while supporting the workforce needs in our region by nurturing much-needed skillsets, continuous development, and success,” said Western Oregon University Provost Jose Coll.  Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be qualified to...

Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University announces Isaac Ford Jr. as the upcoming speaker for the Jensen Lecture Series on Thursday, April 4 in the Columbia Room in the Werner University Center.  The public is invited to attend a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the lecture at 5:30 p.m. Ford’s book signing will take place after the lecture.  Isaac Ford, Jr., MSW is an author, independent Diversity & Inclusion consultant, motivational speaker, and CEO of Isaac Ford Jr. & Associates, LLC., specializing in motivational speaking and diversity and inclusion training. The title of his lecture is Up from the Bottom: Reflections of Forgiveness and Perseverance, which is based on his memoir Up From the Bottom, which tells the story of trauma, tragedy, and triumph and demonstrates the power of the human spirit to defy the odds regardless of one’s circumstances. Ford was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in a segregated section of Augusta, Georgia. His father was absent from the home during his childhood, and burglars once broke into the family’s home while they were still at home. At nine years old, he was almost crushed to death by a falling flagpole. At 13 years old, the most trusted person on the planet punctured his left lung with a steak knife. At 20 years old, he was a police officer patrolling the mean streets of Augusta battling crime, while simultaneously fighting against racism within the ranks. Despite all the trauma and adversity, he resolved that he would not become a statistic, but rather he was going to “write his own incredible narrative...

Written by Maureen Brakke MONMOUTH, Ore. –  Western Oregon University unveils its new transformative strategic plan accompanied by a new mission and vision statement and core values that was approved by the Western Oregon University Board of Trustees at the February 14 meeting. Titled Education. Innovation. Community., the plan charts the course of the university’s growth over the next six years focusing on four key goals which include institutional sustainability, student success, transformational diversity, and community strength. Western’s new mission statement, pending approval by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, centers on the principles of personalized learning, fostering a sense of belonging, and empowering individuals. The new vision incorporates becoming a model of intentional inclusion and accessibility and improving social mobility and overall life success through focusing on critical thinking and communication skills. The Core Values include Centering Students, Embracing Diversity, Fostering Accessibility, and Valuing Community. President Peters explains that a strategic plan is both aspirational and inspirational. He says that it sets a tone and provides a clear framework that the university can use to set objectives and make decisions. “This new plan marks a new phase for Western Oregon University. This university has always sought academic excellence, been committed to community engagement, and worked for the success of students and employees. But now we are leaning into new strategies and directions, articulating with greater clarity just what type of institution we plan to be.”  This new plan is the culmination of hard work by many individuals. Last year, Western established a Strategic Plan Development Team that led campus conversations, gathered feedback through a survey, and consulted with faculty,...

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s College of Education has received a Grow Your Own grant (GYO) from the Educator Advancement Council. This funding aims to address the critical need for recruiting and retaining educators across the career continuum. Under the Division of Education and Leadership at Western, Kristen L Pratt, Ph.D., associate professor of education and leadership, and Marie LeJeune, Ph.D., associate dean of clinical practices & partnerships, developed an innovative program called Project REAL (Residency for Educator Access to Licensure) with the funding. This program is a collaborative effort between Western, Salem Keizer Public Schools, and Chemeketa Community College, focusing on developing a sustainable residency model for teacher licensure. This partnership seeks to tackle three primary equity problems of practice: a shortage of racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse licensed educators to serve a diverse student population; providing access to local, place-bound, residency programming embedded within a high-quality, nationally accredited, and equity-based educator preparation program; and a meaningful and supportive induction experience for educators who are full-time working professionals within public schools. “This work at Western is focused on how we remove barriers for those seeking a teaching license and are not able to access a traditional pathway of being a full-time student and student teacher. There is not a realistic pathway for lots of folks who are already working adults, supporting a family, or are geographically far from a university,” shared LeJeune. “There are a lot of barriers put into place that don’t allow folks to receive higher education and this work aims to remove those barriers.” The Project REAL program at Western is a groundbreaking initiative...