EOU President Kelly Ryan to Join National Panel on Workforce Development and the Role of Regional Universities

EOU President Kelly Ryan to Join National Panel on Workforce Development and the Role of Regional Universities

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University President Kelly Ryan will join a panel of higher education leaders for a national virtual forum hosted by Ian Wilhelm, Deputy Managing Editor for The Chronicle of Higher Education, on Tuesday, April 22, at 2 p.m. ET. The event, titled “Regional Universities and Work-Force Development,” will explore the role regional public universities have in preparing students and communities for the evolving job market.

President Ryan will be joined by Dr. Zulma Toro, President of Central Connecticut State University, and Dr. Charles L. Welch, President and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The panelists will discuss how regional institutions, like EOU, are equipping students with high-demand skills, building strong employer partnerships, and adapting graduate programs to meet the needs of adult learners.

“Regional universities are not only educating future leaders—they are shaping local economies,” said Dr. Ryan. “At Eastern Oregon University, we’re working with community partners and industries to ensure that our students are ready to contribute and succeed in high-impact careers.”

EOU has earned recognition for its leadership in workforce development initiatives, most recently securing more than $1.5 million in Technology Workforce Ready Grants. These funds are advancing education and hands-on training in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related careers across rural Oregon. Through projects like the EOU Acquisition of Computer and Technical Skills (EOU-ACTS) and the GO STEM Mobile Maker Lab, the university is expanding access to career-relevant education and building a robust school-to-workforce pipeline.

Hosted by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the virtual forum will highlight new survey findings on the public perception of regional colleges and the gaps between higher education outcomes and workforce needs. The panel will address pressing questions such as:

• How are regional institutions providing practical skills for graduate students and adult learners?
  
• What strategies are universities using to collaborate with employers and align their curriculum with workforce demand?
  
• What barriers exist in developing these partnerships—and how can they be overcome?
  

The event is free to attend with registration and will include opportunities for audience engagement and Q&A.

For more information or to register for the forum, visit https://www.chronicle.com/events/virtual/regional-universities-and-work-force-development. To learn more about EOU’s ongoing workforce development efforts, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at ua@eou.edu.