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Eastern Oregon University pilot aims to connect rural students to postsecondary pathways
Summary
House Bill 2,404 would establish a pilot program administered by Eastern Oregon University to provide grades 6–12 students in Eastern Oregon with advising, dual-credit access and help applying for financial aid; the university asked the committee for $2 million to expand its Early College Initiatives.
Supporters of House Bill 2,404 told the House Committee on Higher Education that the bill would create a pilot program, coordinated by Eastern Oregon University (EOU), to help students in grades 6–12 explore and prepare for postsecondary education and careers.
Representative Bobby Levy, sponsor of the bill, said the pilot will provide tailored support — including information on postsecondary options, application help and assistance applying for financial aid and scholarships — for students in Eastern Oregon counties. "These are the fundamental tools that can empower students to pursue higher education and career training," Levy said.
Kelly Ryan, president of Eastern Oregon University, told the committee the university requests $2,000,000 to continue and scale work piloted with federal funding. Kathleen Brown, director of Early College Initiatives (ECI) at EOU, described ECI’s model: in-school specialists who work with students beginning in sixth grade, dual-credit options with low high-school tuition (Brown cited $40 per credit for dual-credit high-school delivery and $75 per credit when taken directly from university faculty), regional hubs, summer institutes and direct advising. Brown said ECI currently serves roughly 1,600 students and works with about 127 schools in the region.
Local school officials and students described existing partnerships with EOU. Tom Spoo, principal at Hermiston High School, said Hermiston has seen expanded dual-credit pathways with EOU, including early credits in education and health-care pathways. Scott Carpenter, assistant superintendent for La Grande School District, described a campus hub and said direct enrollment through EOU has increased student access in his district. A student speaker from Imbler High School said the program gave her access to college-level business coursework she otherwise could not get at her small high school.
Kathleen Brown summarized ECI’s goals as acting as a translator between K–12 and higher education: “K through 12 has its own rules, and higher ed has its own rules. And there's absolutely no translator in the middle.” The EOU witnesses asked the committee to fund a dedicated advisor position, additional specialists, and expansion of regional hubs so the program can scale across Eastern Oregon.
Committee members asked about the program’s scope, demographics and the requested dollar amount; Kelly Ryan confirmed the $2,000,000 ask. Several committee members expressed support and noted the program’s potential to expand career-technical and transfer pathways for rural students.
