Winter 2025
REV Newsletter
Vol. 3, No. 2
Meeting with Community Partners
On March 5, EOU and REV brought together about 15 public, nonprofit, and community partners from La Grande, surrounding communities, and Portland to highlight the important public service work happening across the region. Led by Dr. Daniel Costie, EOU Assistant Professor of Public Administration, the gathering provided an opportunity to share how EOU’s MPA and undergraduate programs, alongside REV internships, prepare students to support organizations like theirs and to explore possibilities for continued collaboration.
“As an intern of REV, I was tasked with researching the types of housing needed in the City of Joseph to address the community’s housing shortage,” said Shane Bartolome, EOU BS 2025 in Politics, Policy, and Public Administration, currently pursuing his masters in public administration at EOU. “This collaboration allowed me to observe how planners, consultants, and local government officials work together to develop data-driven policy recommendations. The project provided me with meaningful professional development opportunities, including applied research experience, collaboration with experts in the field, and direct involvement in a project that may influence future housing policies in Joseph.”
GRACE NOTE
This winter in Eastern Oregon, even without flurries of snow, has been a flurry of activity. Our team took full advantage of the seasonal slowdown to bring back events and test out new ideas before the fast pace of spring takes hold. We learned so much, and most importantly had a lot of fun doing it.
Across the region, we brought together students, job seekers, entrepreneurs, and partners to explore career pathways, strengthen businesses, and build new connections. From convenings focused on natural resources and entrepreneurship to hands-on student innovation experiences, this season was about creating space for people to learn, connect, and take their next step.
One highlight was the return of Innovation Jam at Eastern Oregon University for the first time since 2018. Watching students learn the building blocks of design thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset, forming teams, and testing ideas and assumptions was exciting to witness, especially considering rural Oregon economies have higher rates of self-employment and small business.
We also saw firsthand how meaningful connections can open doors. Through gatherings with founders and partners across Wallowa, Baker, and Union counties, new relationships are already translating into tangible opportunities for local businesses.
Looking ahead, I’ll be joining the League of Oregon Cities Spring Conference April 23-24 in Pendleton alongside EOU professor Dr. Daniel Costie, EOU senior and former REV intern Dawn Kellogg, and Morrow County Transit Manager Steven Davis to showcase what is possible when local governments and institutions of higher education work together. Soon after, I’ll be speaking at the Focal Point Annual Conference in San Diego about how executive coaching has helped me grow as a leader.
In May, I will travel to Washington D.C. to present on the work Commissioner Anderes and I, with support from local child care provider Alexia Nice, have been working on to improve child care access and affordability in Union County. Through the Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility program, this opportunity brings local efforts to a national audience of funders and philanthropists.
As we prepare for the springtime uptick in activity, I often repeat a quote I heard early on in my career, “We often overestimate what we can accomplish in one year, and underestimate what we can accomplish in ten.” After three years of serving as the executive director of this organization, I can confidently say the seeds we are planting now will grow into something far more substantial and impactful than I could have imagined in Year One. Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Grace Donovan
REV Executive Director
RECENT PROJECTS
Natural Resources Social
REV was on the ground January 28 at the Union County Natural Resources Career Social, part of a multi-county push to give students and community members a firsthand look at careers in forestry, wildlife, rangelands, invasive plants, and more. The event was organized by Wallowa Resources, Northern Blues Restoration Partnership Oregon State Extension, and REV.
OFIH Connecting with Area Entrepreneurs
Attendees of Small Business Success Days in La Grande heard from the Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub’s Carter Gudell on February 17. Northeast Oregon Economic Development District organized this event and sister events in Enterprise and Baker City. Carter explained how area businesses benefit from the Hub: finding funding pathways, learning technical tools, meeting strategic partners, and receiving tailored assistance.
A demonstration of OFIH’s process in action resulted from its first ever event for area entrepreneurs on February 28 at K Voelz Wines in La Grande. Jera Wollenburg from Jera's Harvest brought samples of her Harvest Tokens, nutrient-dense protein-rich crackers. From meeting with key people at this event, she is now in the process of receiving guidance on packaging and distribution of her product.
The next entrepreneur idea night will be April 3, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at K Voelz Wines, 1104 Jefferson Ave, La Grande. Let us know if you plan to attend so we have plenty of refreshments.
Anyone with a business, product, or idea who wants to share an opportunity or challenge with business owners, experts, are encouraged to attend. The goal is to receive and give feedback and make connections.
Innovation Jam at EOU
Seven students/recent graduates participated in an Innovation Jam hosted at EOU. The Eastern Oregon Innovation Jam is a two-part design-and-build sprint for college students who want to explore entrepreneurship and problem-solving required. Day One, held on February 28, brought students together to identify real challenges and generate ideas as a team, guided by mentors and a proven innovation process. Day Two is coming up on April 4, when students will build on that momentum to turn their early concepts into tangible prototypes and compelling pitches.
This event was co-hosted by OFIH and GO-STEM. Innovation Jams are currently taking place across the state as part of this Invent Oregon-led effort. In May, the team - along with other teams from across the state - will participate in a three-day intensive training program to prepare them for the Invent Oregon Collegiate Challenge Finals in June. Invent Oregon is the state’s only college-level prototyping competition, providing the grants and guidance necessary to take a student team’s idea for positive impact through all stages of prototyping.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Spring at REV
Middle school, high school, college students, and K-12 teachers - all of REV’s spring and summer programs are starting.
Middle School - This year’s Get Outside After School Activity Program (GO-ASAP) started last week. Eighteen La Grande Middle School students are learning the ropes from their college mentors, including four OHSU-La Grande Nursing students and our REV interns coordinator, the middle schoolers will be guided through non-competitive activities to learn that physical activity isn’t limited to gyms or organized sports. Photo: 2026-GO-ASAP mentors
High School - students who want to learn beyond the classroom are invited to attend the 13th annual Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute, June 14-19, in Cottonwood Canyon State Park. Students can earn college credit from EOU, and receive scholarships to attend. Space is limited; sign up today!
College Students - For a chance to look at Oregon through a new lens, EOU students can register for Urban Rural Ambassadors. Traveling to the Portland area for one weekend and the La Grande area for the next, students from EOU are in class with Portland State University students to examine the similarities and differences of systems at work in urban and rural areas. This unique course is a great fit for students interested in community planning, political science, public service, natural resources, or social sciences.
K-12 Teachers - seeking a fresh, hands-on way to earn professional development units are invited to the fifth annual Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute. This immersive, four-day residential field studies program lets participants dive deep into locally significant cultural and natural resources, choosing from four dynamic course options. Guided by Eastern Oregon University faculty and regional experts, and with minimal out-of-pocket costs, teachers gain tools and experiences they can bring straight back to their classrooms. The results speak for themselves: one teacher who attended in 2023 applied what he learned, secured a grant to sustain his outdoor lessons with his students, and returned in 2024 as a presenter, sharing his knowledge with peers and inspiring educators.
UPCOMING EVENTS
REV and EOU will be presenting at the League of Oregon Cities Local Government Spring Conference April 23-24 at the Pendleton Convention Center. Look for us at 1:30pm on April 24: Growing & Inspiring the Next Generation in Local Government.
Grace will present at the Focal Point Annual Conference in San Diego April 28-30 to speak on her experiences and the importance of mentorship.
In late May, the National Association of Counties is hosting Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility Capstone Presentations in Washington, D.C. Grace will present alongside Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes on their project accomplishments and learnings to an audience of funders and grant making organizations.
OPPORTUNITIES
Whether it’s helping with our social media platforms or working with youth and helping them explore the benefits of living in the eastern Oregon landscape, we have paid internships available for EOU students.
for EOU students
If you are or know of any EOU students looking for experiential learning opportunities, have them check our Student Internships.
for EOU faculty
EOU faculty members looking for opportunities to collaborate and give students a real-world experience in their chosen field, see the model REV uses and projects we’ve done.
for area community leaders
If you are a community leader seeking support for an initiative or challenge in your community, see how REV works with partners and connect with us to determine if REV is the right partner for you.
Follow REV on social media to stay informed on its events and projects.
HOW TO SUPPORT REV
The Rural Engagement & Vitality Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which creates partnerships between Eastern Oregon University and entities in eastern Oregon to enhance the vitality of the region and develop tomorrow’s rural workforce and leaders. Please consider making a donation. Your financial support enables all the programming we offer to continue and grow.
About the REV Newsletter
Winter 2026
Volume 3, Number 2
The newsletter of the Rural Engagement & Vitality (REV) Center is a quarterly publication designed to inform its audience about activities of the center. For more information about this newsletter, contact Terri Kaiser, Editor, PO Box 31, La Grande, OR 97850.
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