text: OR university helps region avert rural 'brain drain'
  Wednesday, July 24, 2024
  A university in eastern Oregon is figuring out ways to prevent rural 'brain drain.'
  Eastern Oregon University was officially designated "Oregon's Rural University" by the state in 2018, which kick-started new efforts from the school to serve rural communities. One is a partnership with Wallowa Resources to create the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center.
  Tim Seydel, vice president for university advancement at Eastern Oregon University, said the center provides hands on learning opportunities with organizations in rural communities.
  "The more we can engage our students with things that are happening within our own region, the more they're aware of the opportunities in our own region and particularly our rural region," Seydel explained. "They don't see it as a shortfall or an issue where they've got to go somewhere else to get that experience. They can get it right there in their hometown or they can get it right nearby."
  The center is part of the global Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network and includes a program connecting students to jobs in regional communities.
  Seydel pointed out his university has also started offering an online master's degree program in clinical mental health counseling to address the shortage in rural communities.
  "We also got letters from regional behavioral health professionals saying, 'Please help us get this program up and running. We really are looking to you to help deliver this. You're the experts in this, but we need these professionals and we need to do it without them having to relocate somewhere else,'" Seydel recounted.
  Seydel argued the university's efforts are an important collaboration of community and legislative leaders, schools at every level and members of rural areas.
  "We found that by working together, we can solve so many problems rather than looking to some kind of outside resource," Seydel emphasized. "People really want that in these small, rural communities."
  Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
  get more stories like this via email
  Health and Wellness
  Strong reactions are pouring in from both sides as Missouri voters made history by adding abortion rights to the state constitution. The decision to …
  If the election season made one thing clear, it is neither side can hear what the other is saying and one expert believes it is because most of us …
  Roughly 30% of Minnesota's private-sector employees do not have a work-sponsored retirement plan but some business owners and consumer advocates hope …
  It is finally cooling down in Arizona, which means more leaves on the ground as well as heightened use of lawn equipment to keep Arizona properties …
  Connecticut voters approved an amendment enshrining no-excuse absentee voting in the state's constitution. Passing by a little more than 57% of the …
  The early childhood development initiative "Too Small to Fail" is expanding in Pennsylvania to boost children's brain and language development…
  New federal loan adjustments aim to ease financial burdens for farmers but advocates said lasting change requires legislative action. The U.S…
  Young people convicted of crimes in Pueblo can now avoid serious and long-lasting consequences when they are unable to pay fines or victim restitution…