Eastern Oregon University announced on May 7 that it is among ten universities nationwide chosen to participate in workshops led by the Association of American State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) focusing on the value of higher education.
The initiative uses the Postsecondary Value Framework, which defines and measures whether postsecondary education provides meaningful value for students and society. The framework was developed by the Postsecondary Value Commission, which began in 2019 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is managed by the Institute for Higher Education Policy.
University leadership, faculty, and staff recently spent a day and a half exploring how this framework can inform Eastern Oregon University’s projects and programs. Their focus included outcomes for students, families, businesses, industries, 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 efforts at Eastern Oregon University include growth in graduate student enrollment; expanded scholarships; initiatives such as the Mountaineer Success Team Program; TRIO Student Support Services; workforce grants; rural educator pathways; as well as new entrepreneurship and behavioral health programs. The university reports it is focused not only on providing access to higher education but also ensuring that students complete their studies successfully and contribute to rural communities’ vitality. Eastern Oregon University has also been recognized for having some of the highest average alumni earnings in Oregon along with some of the lowest tuition rates.
As one of only ten universities selected for this national effort led by AASCU workshops using the Postsecondary Value Framework, Eastern Oregon University will continue evaluating its strategies to improve outcomes for its students.
