Rural Engagement & Vitality Center

Cultivating vibrant and prosperous rural communities in Eastern Oregon. 

The Rural Engagement & Vitality Center brings Eastern Oregon University students to communities across eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington to collaborate with local leaders on real-world projects in order to develop future rural leaders.

REV offers essential, energizing, and applicable learning experiences to graduate and upper-level undergraduate students, while simultaneously providing valuable services to communities. By performing research to gain knowledge of a community, finding the ways people have been resilient, and combining that with new practices, innovative approaches can be used to resolve long-term problems.

A REV partnership includes multidisciplinary expertise focused on a specific geographic area, yielding deep and substantial outcomes. This includes connecting with existing resources and getting people within key groups to work together. 

A map of Oregon, Idaho, & Washington showing the geographic region of REV Center projects.

SERVING THE REGION

The REV creates mutually beneficial partnerships with communities in eastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and western Idaho to advance shared goals. Partnerships bring EOU faculty and students into communities to collaborate on projects.

April 30, 2024:
The Chronicle of Higher Education featured REV in its case study on Eastern Oregon University and how the university is leveraging partnerships to combat rural brain drain. This piece highlights our collaboration at the regional level that makes our work possible and effective.

The REV Center is part of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network, a global group of over 60 colleges working to help their students improve the communities in which they operate

Students at Eastern Oregon University get real-world experience applicable to their future work..
EOU faculty guide students to meet the goals of projects based at the REV Center.
Organizations, businesses, and communities tap into expertise provided through EOU faculty and work done by EOU students.

~~~VOICES OF REV~~~

  • photo: Julia Hyug, REV student intern

    “In addition to having the opportunity to participate in theater in a way that I never have before, I absolutely love the fact that this position has given me the opportunity to meet new people and hear new and interesting stories and viewpoints."

    -- Julia Hyug, 2020-2022 REV Urban Rural Theater Intern

  • Photo: Tamra Mabbott, Morrow County Planning Director

    “We learned new tools and techniques we will use in the future for other planning projects. We’ve already put some of those ideas into action.”

    — Tamra Mabbott, Morrow County Planning Director, Rural Transportation Equity in Morrow County study

  • Dr. Daniel Costie, REV faculty affiliate

    “I get to work with the REV to get students in the field and solving the salient rural public problems of the 21st century.”

    — Dr. Daniel Costie, REV faculty affiliate

  • “My internship with the REV has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for forestry and agricultural based industries in rural Oregon communities, and the impacts that sustainable forest practices and holistic economic development have on those communities’ well-being. It has influenced me to focus on rural economic development as a career.”

    — Sarah Buddingh, 2020-2022 REV Economic Intern

  • photo: Dan Larman, City Administrator, City of Joseph, OR

    “Since we’re the first entity to take advantage of (REV's Rural Planning Program), I know a lot of people are paying attention. I really hope that what we’re doing here helps other rural communities in the future. I hope it breaks trail for them.”

    — Dan Larman, City Administrator, City of Joseph on its work with REV

  • photo: James Stolen, REV faculty affiliate

    “Being an advocate for activities, education and recreation in wild places, it is a privilege to introduce young students to the outdoor classroom and experience."

    — James Stolen, REV Faculty Affiliate, Cottonwood Canyon Summer Institute

  • photo: Michael Hatch, REV associate

    “Learning outdoors enables students to have a better understanding of the interconnectedness of our world and opens their eyes to the wonders of nature.”

    — Michael Hatch, EOU Outdoor Adventure Program Director who provides equipment to REV’s GO-ASAP program

  • “I strongly believe in the mission of the REV to enhance the vitality of rural communities. I have made multiple professional connections through my work. The REV center has opened the door to many career opportunities for me after I graduate.”

    — Benjen Lilly, EOU Sustainable Communities major

  • “After being an intern for REV Center, I have been more interested in working with non-profit organizations. I found the idea of working on a public project that benefits the community very rewarding.”

    — Hunter Schiess, EOU Business and Accounting major

  • “This internship opened my eyes to the possibilities of using my degree in an impactful way to help local communities. I believe that this internship has shown me more avenues for potential career opportunities.”

    — Zachary Brown, 2023 Student Intern for Blues Intergovernmental Council

REV Newsletter

logo: epic-network

The EPIC-Network

The Rural Engagement & Vitality Center is a member of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network (EPIC-N), a national network of over 30 educational institutions partnering with cities throughout the United States and world.

Learn more