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

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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 succeed.

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 apply for positions at the state within the accounting and tax fields and are encouraged to fulfill a minimum of two years of continued service. Participants will work with state agency HR associates to bolster their professional materials, explore open positions, and prepare for application and interview processes within their new desired fields of employment at various state agencies with vacancies.

There are approximately 30 participants in the 2024 cohort from a variety of state agencies. For more information about the Career Mobility Program visit the Uplift Oregon Website.

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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 succeed.

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 and live life to the fullest until the music stops.” Read more about Isaac Ford.

RSVP to attend the lecture on Thursday, Apr 4, 2024 with a reception starting at 5 p.m. and the lecture starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Columbia Room in the Werner University Center at Western Oregon University.

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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 succeed.

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, students, and staff. The University Council and Senior Leadership also provided direct input. The planning began by evaluating the previous strategic plan, Forward Together, paying close attention to its merits and weaknesses. The goal then became to draft a new plan that builds on the philosophies in the last plan but also moves Western Oregon University in new directions. 

Peters shares that the new strategic plan captures the sentiments of the campus community about Western’s strengths and identity while also pushing the university in bold directions. He adds that the new plan grows out of the last plan while more clearly and directly stating who Western is and plans to be as an institution. 

“We applaud Western for developing an exemplary strategic plan that seamlessly integrates all facets of the university. This comprehensive approach acknowledges and values the strides already taken in these areas, strengthening our collective commitment towards achieving our goals,” said Board of Trustees Chair Betty Komp.

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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 succeed.

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 that will revolutionize the way educators are recruited and prepared for the challenges of today’s classrooms. By providing flexible licensure pathways, this program will empower aspiring educators to overcome obstacles and contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive educational system.

Learn more about flexible licensure pathways 

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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 succeed.

Pictured from left to right: Malissa Larson, Megan Habermann-Guthrie, Leanne Merrill Ph.D., and Melanie Landon-Hays Ph.D.

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University staff from the Division of Student Affairs has been selected for The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability Fellowship. 

Megan Habermann-Guthrie, director of New Student & Family Programs, and Malissa Larson, dean of students, were selected to participate in a cohort over the next 18 months. 

The fellowship program is designed to introduce faculty, staff, and administrators from NWCCU institutions to regional and national leaders in various areas such as equity-mindedness, assessment, accreditation, data analysis, quality assurance, educational innovation, and educational effectiveness.

“I am honored and excited to embark on this project to better Western and work with our accreditors more closely on enhancing college life for Western students,” shared Habermann-Guthrie. 

“I’m so excited, and a bit anxious if I am honest, to participate in the NWCCU fellowship. This is an incredible opportunity to not only enrich my path as a professional but also to add tools to better advocate for and support Western students,” shared Larson. She adds that she looks forward to being better and doing better for students. 

Habermann-Guthrie and Larson will join Leanne Merrill Ph.D., professor of mathematics, and Melanie Landon-Hays Ph.D., professor of education and leadership, who are currently participating in a cohort from the Division of Academic Affairs. Together, these teams from Western will contribute to the ongoing efforts of the NWCCU in promoting excellence and innovation in higher education.

Learn more about NWCUU’s Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability Fellowship

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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 succeed.

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. –  Since 1999, Western Oregon University’s Division of Behavioral Sciences has supported Talmadge Middle School students in Independence, Oregon to foster positive mentoring relationships. Juniors and seniors at Western interested in working with youth in the fields of education, social work, and/or counseling, have the opportunity to mentor middle school students and help them develop skills for academic success and emotional and social growth. 

Many middle school students who face socioeconomic, academic, behavioral, or familial challenges are recommended by their school counselor to participate in this program, and the positive outcomes for students in this program are astounding.

Since the program started 25 years ago, parents have unanimously reported that it has had a positive influence on their children. Children who participate in the program show consistent, measurable improvement across several areas, including school attendance, academic work, social skills, and self-esteem. They also become more interested in attending college. One parent observed “The mentor was great and worked with our crazy schedule and truly cared about my child. Well done.” 

Mentees in the program shared that participating in the program boosted their confidence because there was a steady supportive person to talk to, and noted interest in attending Western and giving back to the program by becoming a mentor. A student mentor shared that mentoring had profoundly impacted their life and helped them solidify their desire to pursue a career as a pediatric clinical psychologist.

Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences and Program Coordinator Brooke Dolenc Knott Ph.D., noted that leading the WOU-Talmadge mentoring program has been the highlight of her time at Western, as it intertwines both transformative growth for students and benefits the local community. “This collaborative effort not only supports local middle school students’ families but also empowers WOU students to go beyond the classroom learning to apply psychological principles in helping their middle schoolers.” Dolenc Nott shares that it is a joy to watch the lasting positive impact that takes place each year for both WOU and middle school students in the program.

Hayley Atkinson, school counselor at Talmadge Middle School expresses her gratitude for the mentorship program which provides intentional and additional positive support and connection to many of the participating students.  She shares that “Middle school years can be difficult for kids to navigate under the best of circumstances, and the WOU mentor program allows us to provide an extra boost of support to some of our kids.” She adds that her favorite part of the program is getting to see the growth in self-confidence and engagement in both middle school students and their college mentors. “Anyone involved in the program cannot help but be positively influenced by it.” 

This program has been a regular applicant to and recipient of Competitive Grant Funding from the Western Oregon University Foundation. Specifically, the award supports social family events and small stipends for mentors to help motivate middle school students’ success and family involvement that strengthens the mentoring relationship.

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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 succeed.

Pictured: Henry Hughes

Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. –  Western Oregon University Professor of Literature and Writing Henry Hughes, Ph.D., recently returned from an expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula to experience, study, and report on wildlife, ocean conditions, ice, climate change, travel culture, and ecotourism.

An Oregon Book Award-Winning published author and poet, Hughes travels the globe searching for inspiration for new literary projects, always with a connection to water and fishing. Growing up on Long Island, NY, Hughes shares that fishing and boating are big themes in his writing. He adds that being out on the water fishing offers a time to think about life and culture. He also lived in Japan for three years and in China for two which helped create a more informed global consciousness, helping to guide him in the way he thinks.

Hughes has written and published many poems and stories with seafaring/maritime themes and draws his influence from notable writers such as Herman Melville, Ernest Hemingway, and Annie Proulx. Hughes actively contributes articles to outdoor journals such as Anglers Journal and The Flyfish Journal, among many others. He has also published his autobiography Back Seat with Fish and edited three collections for the Penguin Random House Everyman’s Library.

Hughes also actively writes for and manages The Write Place, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and supporting literary and artistic projects that examine human relationships with the natural environment. Hughes’ recent experience is logged on this website. One of his English students, Jasper Beck co-edits for The Write Place. Beck won the Peter Sears Poetry Prize last year at Western, which recognizes the best poem written by an undergraduate at Western.

On February 22 at 4 p.m., Hughes will share his experience on his recent Antarctic expedition and lead a discussion on ecotourism in the age of climate change. This event is free and open to the public at Western Oregon University in Room 101 in the Richard Woodcock Education Center (RWEC).

During the 18-day expedition, Hughes and The Write Place Board Member Eugene Jones conducted and participated in onboard seminars and workshops in history, literature, oceanography, glaciology, meteorology, and zoology. They reported on avian flu mortality in South Georgia, ice formations in the Southern Ocean, and humpback whale migration. They also took hundreds of photos and hours of video, filled notebooks, talked, listened, and conducted interviews with passengers and crew members. Read the complete travelogue on the Write Place website.

Hughes notes that one of their guides, Eloisa Berrier, an Argentine biologist had asked them how they felt about Antarctica, and how they felt about the world and themselves. He writes that the experience happened, but “responses to those questions are still evolving.”

Next to his passion for travel and writing, Hughes loves teaching writing and literature at Western and appreciates the small class sizes and the down-to-earth students. He shares that he enjoys watching his students find themselves and that he’s been part of their journeys. “I can see that writing and literature helped guide many students,” Hughes says.

Learn more about Henry Hughes and learn more about the English Studies Department at Western Oregon University.

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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 succeed.

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University along with the six other Oregon public higher education institutions, lobbied together at the Oregon State Capitol building during Advocacy Day which took place on February 8 during the 2024 legislative session. All seven public higher education institutions first convened at WOU Salem, where collaboration and camaraderie filled the building for lunch and where they joined their advocacy groups to prepare to lobby.

Public Oregon higher education institutions are advocating for the following: 

Supporting students on campus

• $6 million in renewed funding for Strong Start 2.0
• $6 million for the 2024 Student Emergency Needs Package: 
  • $5 million for student basic needs programs
  • $1 million for Open Educational Resources

Preparing students to meet Oregon’s workforce needs

• $30 million to boost the state’s semiconductor workforce and talent pipeline 
• $6.2 million to grow the behavioral health workforce serving Oregon communities

Learn more about Oregon Public Universities 2024 legislative agenda 

Learn more about Advocacy Day 2024

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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 succeed.

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to highlight the accomplishments of former Oregon State Representative and alum Teresa Alonso Leon ‘02. Alonso Leon received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Western and a Master of Public Administration from Portland State University, leading her to a career in public service.  

Alonso Leon’s educational journey started when she was young, as she was the oldest of five and had to quickly learn how to delegate responsibilities. As a first-generation student, Western provided the support she needed to develop critical skills to achieve her career goals. 

“When I talk to other first-gen students, I tell them that Western Oregon University is the place that you need to be. It’s a place where you’re going to be able to achieve your goals and help you find the career that you want.” shared Alonso Leon. 

Before starting her own consulting company, Alonso Leon served as a City Council Member for the City of Woodburn and as an Oregon State Representative from 2017 to 2023, which elevated her passion for serving her community. Today, she continues to advocate for higher education, leadership development, and healthcare equity.

Alonso Leon’s story is a testament to Western’s commitment to supporting students. Her dedication to serving her community and others is truly inspirational.  

Watch Teresa Alonso Leon share her story