Latest news with #OregonTech
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Oregon Institute of Technology Expands Student Coaching Initiative to Boost Retention and Re-Engage Stopped-Out Learners
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore., June 3, 2025 /CNW/ -- The Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech), Oregon's polytechnic university serving more than 5,300 students, today announced the expansion of a multi-year student support initiative that will provide one-on-one coaching for students across its in-person and online programs. Through an expanding partnership with nonprofit InsideTrack, the university has rolled out personalized coaching services to help students enroll, persist, and ultimately complete their degrees. "Our coaching program has grown rapidly, driven by the entrepreneurial approach we have taken and a shared commitment to meeting students' evolving needs," said Greg Stringer, associate vice provost for strategic enrollment management and retention. "Oregon Tech is built to be agile—designed to meet students where they are and guide them toward success. At a time when too few students are thriving in STEM fields, our work is about more than enrollment or retention—it's about changing lives and expanding opportunity through education." Over the past 18 months, Oregon Tech has steadily expanded the coaching program to deliver high-touch support for learners, improve enrollment outcomes, and build long-term coaching capacity that engages students in both on-campus and fully online programs. Initial efforts focused on targeted outreach and support for re-enrolling students, and have since grown to include proactive coaching for first-time students as well as coaching to promote retention and long-term student success. Since launching with InsideTrack in 2023, Oregon Tech has deployed success coaching throughout the student lifecycle, providing one-on-one support to help learners navigate everything from choosing the right academic program to building a plan for how they will balance education with work, family, and financial responsibilities. "Given the range of work, family, and financial commitments most students are juggling today, it's not enough to simply open the door. We need to actively walk alongside students as they navigate their journey," said Ruth Claire Black, dean of online learning and global engagement at Oregon Tech. "This is about building a culture of support that meets students where they are, whether they're enrolling for the first time, returning after time away, or working to persist through academic or personal challenges." Across Oregon, nearly 500,000 Oregonians have some college credit but no degree. The university's approach comes at an important time for Oregon higher education, as the state's 40-40-20 goal —set in 2011 to ensure that all young adult Oregonians attain a high school diploma, postsecondary certificate, or college degree—nears its target date. This partnership, which started in 2023, has been funded in part using competitive grant funding from the state of Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), underscoring Oregon's broader commitment to student success across the state's public colleges and universities. These funds, in addition to institutional support, will enable Oregon Tech to expand coaching to both re-enrolling and first-time students and begin supporting prospective students as they evaluate and enroll in one of the university's program offerings, ranging from certificate programs to bachelor's degrees. "Oregon Tech's students reflect the broad range of experiences of students in higher education today. Many are first-generation, working adults, transfer students, or returning students looking to sharpen their skills or retool for a new career," said Ruth Bauer, president of InsideTrack and a lifetime Oregon resident. "This is about making sure they don't have to navigate those challenges alone. Oregon Tech is doubling down on coaching as a way to provide the kind of high-touch, sustainable support that will help more students stay on track—and achieve their full potential." With over 5,300 students across its campuses and online programs, Oregon Tech serves a diverse population of career-driven learners, many of whom are working adults, transfer students, or military-affiliated. Nearly one-third of its students take at least one class online, while 15% study fully online. As Oregon's only public polytechnic university, Oregon Tech blends rigorous academics with real-world experience in engineering, health, technology, and business by integrating internships, clinical experiences, and fieldwork into its curriculum. For more information on Oregon Tech's work visit About Oregon Tech: Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) is the only public polytechnic university in Oregon, offering innovative, hands-on education in engineering, technology, health sciences, and applied sciences. With campuses in Klamath Falls, Portland-Metro, and online, Oregon Tech serves over 5,300 students and is committed to preparing graduates for successful careers and leadership in a rapidly changing workforce. About InsideTrack: InsideTrack is a mission-driven nonprofit that fuels positive change by empowering and advancing all learners to achieve their educational and career goals through the transformative power of coaching. We help people get the education they need to enhance well-being, create opportunity and secure meaningful employment — ultimately facilitating economic and social mobility. Since 2001, we have served over 3.5 million learners, partnering with more than 380 institutions and organizations to directly improve enrollment, retention, completion, and career advancement — tailoring our coaching outcomes to fit the needs of our partners and the learners they support. Our coaching methodology is evidence-based and research-confirmed, supporting all types of learners at every stage of their journey — especially those who face systemic barriers to postsecondary success. We are a catalyst for transformational impact, ultimately empowering learners and the organizations that serve them. To learn more, visit and follow us on LinkedIn @InsideTrack and X @InsideTrack.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Oregon Institute of Technology Announces Aspirations for a New Public College of Osteopathic Medicine
Klamath Falls, Ore., April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oregon Institute of Technology ('OIT' or 'Oregon Tech') announced today its aspirations to establish a new College of Osteopathic Medicine designed to address the critical healthcare provider shortage in rural Oregon. The proposed future medical school is part of Oregon Tech's broader health and wellness initiative, in collaboration with community partners and state agencies. This initiative aims to create Oregon's first public osteopathic college of medicine and the second public medical school in the state. The new medical school will have a primary focus on training physicians for practice in Oregon's rural communities. The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine would leverage Oregon Tech's established expertise in health education, with nearly half of its graduates specializing in health-related fields. The initiative aims to help solve a statewide healthcare crisis that currently leaves 2.5 million Oregonians living in areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. Currently, there is a 2,000:1 patient-to-doctor ratio in rural Oregon. That disparity is predicted to increase to 3,500:1 in the next decade, if nothing is done. 'This statewide initiative represents a transformative opportunity to address Oregon's rural healthcare crisis while creating significant economic benefits for the entire state,' said Dr. Nagi Naganathan, President of Oregon Tech. 'Research shows that physicians are five times more likely to establish practice in rural areas if they are trained in rural settings. This approach will address the deteriorating healthcare access gap that affects millions of Oregonians.' The proposed medical school will be located at Oregon Tech's Klamath Falls campus, with clinical training opportunities throughout Oregon. The university also plans to develop an innovative, technology- and artificial-intelligence-infused curriculum, resulting in accelerated three-year medical degree program options. David Cauble, President and CEO of Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls and a member of the Oregon Tech Board of Trustees, expressed strong support for the initiative. 'The healthcare situation in rural Oregon has reached a critical point. The proposed medical school addresses our critical physician workforce needs not only in Southern Oregon, but also all across the state of Oregon, while generating a substantial economic benefit for their communities. It is about creating healthier communities and a stronger economy for rural Oregon — the definition of a win-win proposition.' Rural Oregonians currently experience significantly longer wait times for primary care appointments, an average life expectancy four years shorter than urban residents, and markedly worse health outcomes. Key features of the future College of Osteopathic Medicine include: Oregon Tech is preparing to conduct a comprehensive planning study to develop a strategic roadmap for establishing the medical school. The initiative has garnered substantial positive support and interest from healthcare providers, community leaders, and industry partners across the state. Attachment Ashley Van Essen Oregon Institute of Technology [email protected]
