Campus Profile: Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University (WOU), the oldest institution in the Oregon University system, knows how to have an impact beyond the classroom. With faculty engaged in wide-ranging scholarship, students invested in serving their community and the greater region, and a range of community-based projects and faculty-student collaborations, WOU has developed the reputation of a public-serving institution.

A cornerstone of the school's identity, approximately one-third of Western students are enrolled in the College of Education. These students are prepared to contribute to the fields of education, rehabilitation, interpretation, and health sciences, and are often in high demand throughout the state and region. WOU is also home to the nationally-renowned Teaching Research Institute, which has fostered relationships with local schools, districts, and teacher education programs to facilitate positive change to educational systems.

Similarly, the WOU office of Service Learning and Career Development, a recipient of the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the third year in a row, provides faculty with support and models to better understand and incorporate service learning into their teaching, while promoting community engagement and volunteerism among students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

In addition to being the host campus for Oregon Campus Compact's 2008 CAPITAL Conference, opportunities for the Western community to strengthen their academic studies though service and experiential learning include: becoming a member of the WOU LeaderCorps, receiving an AmeriCorps education award through the Students In Service program, contributing in volunteer efforts in the local community on national service days, and participating in an Alternative Break trip.

During winter break, an Alternative Break team traveled through the snow to Seattle, WA. This team assisted with the Salvation Army’s Toy and Joy drive, doing everything from sorting to helping the families pick out toys. They also volunteered for the Kimball Elementary School.

And as the weather warms, Alternative Break trips are on the horizon for many Oregon schools. Here's what Western has planned:

DENVER, CO

Students will volunteer for the Food Bank of the Rockies to help fight hunger. The team will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Colorado while giving a helping hand in their host community.

SAN DIEGO, CA

Student volunteers will provide activities for the homeless youth in the area. They will also assist a youth emergency shelter through cleaning and organizing the group facilities.

TEXAS

Students will be taking part of a vast array of volunteering activities in order to assist victims of Hurricane Ike through Community Collabrations International.

CAPE VERDE, AFRICA

Students will help in three different schools for children of all ages. The team will also provide educational supplies to assist the children with their development.

COSTA RICA

Students will help in the preservation efforts of endangered sea turtles and learn about the environment and culture. The team will assist in clearing beaches for turtles to lay their eggs, moving eggs to a safe hatchery, and keeping night watch against poachers and predators.

To find out what other Oregon schools have planned for their Alternative Breaks, check out our ASB '09 GoogleMap, below!

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