Eastern Oregon University Secures Over $1.5 Million in Workforce Ready Grants to Advance Technology Training in Rural Oregon

Eastern Oregon University Secures Over $1.5 Million in Workforce Ready Grants to Advance Technology Training in Rural Oregon

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University (EOU) was recently awarded two Technology Workforce Ready Grants totaling $1,587,976 to strengthen technology-focused workforce development in eastern Oregon. The grants emphasize cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and technical skill-building in rural communities. 

The first grant, totaling $1,142,977, supports the EOU Acquisition of Computer and Technical Skills (EOU-ACTS) project. Over the next two years, this grant will provide cybersecurity training for 70 Computer Science students and information technology internships for six students. This initiative extends current academic coursework with hands-on IT network support and AI-integrated cybersecurity training. Students, primarily from rural, low-income, and underserved communities, will learn cyber defense techniques, manage critical IT services, and gain experience in AI systems and Virtual Private Network (VPN) implementation. 

“EOU is committed to preparing our students for success in the workforce of today and tomorrow,” said Kelly Ryan, president of Eastern Oregon University. “These resources will enable us to further our mission of delivering advanced educational opportunities to empower and enable our graduates to step confidently into their careers to lead businesses and industry.”

The second grant, totaling $444,999, will expand the Greater Oregon Science Technology and Math (GO STEM) Mobile Maker Lab Effort. The funding will be used to hire a Technology Workforce Exploration Educator (TWEE), who will deliver technology lessons across seven rural counties in Eastern Oregon via the Mobile Maker Lab, a STEM outreach initiative. The educator will train local teachers to incorporate AI and other technology skills into their classrooms, building a solid school-to-workforce pipeline and fostering community-based, technology-driven education. The GO STEM initiative remains a crucial resource for sparking interest in STEM careers across the 38,000-square-mile region it serves. 

“This funding enables GO STEM to expand workforce exploration education via our Mobile Maker Lab Effort, as well as educator professional development across Eastern Oregon,” said Stephanie Holloway, GO STEM program director. “We are very excited and grateful for this opportunity to provide additional technology learning and resources to the counties we serve.”

The grants help leverage EOU’s academic offerings while creating ripple effects throughout Eastern Oregon. The GO STEM Mobile Maker Lab inspires young students to pursue STEM careers, building a talent pipeline to support local industries.

“EOU-ACTS will equip students with much-needed practical IT and AI skills for students in the technology sector,” said Peter Geissinger, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “These grants enable us to deliver hands-on training and crucial career preparation.” For more information on these programs, contact Eastern Oregon University’s Office of Marketing and Communications at ua@eou.edu or visit www.eou.edu/workforce-ready.