UO Advocates

05/08/2026

Big day for Oregon kids, families, and future behavioral health providers!

Today at UO Portland, Governor Kotek signed legislation creating a new pathway for behavioral health and wellness practitioners in Oregon.

The new bachelor's-level license is closely tied to the work happening at the UO's Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health, where students are preparing to help children and families earlier, before challenges become harder to address.

The timing couldn't be better. Next month, the Ballmer Institute’s first cohort of child behavioral health students graduates. Many of them helped advocate for this bill in Salem.

Huge thanks to Governor Kotek, Senator Lisa Reynolds, our partners, and the students who helped make this moment possible.

04/27/2026

Moved? New voter? Not sure you're registered to vote?

It takes less than 3 minutes to check your voter registration or update your address in Oregon or your home state.

If you're voting in Oregon's primary on May 19, 2026, make sure you're registered by Tuesday, April 28. If you're voting in another state, check your registration and mailing address there, too.

Get started at allintovote.org/register

04/23/2026

03/10/2026

Your voice made a difference for Oregon’s students.

As the 2026 legislative session concludes, state lawmakers maintained funding for public university operations and need-based student aid through mid-2027.

Earlier this month, students, alumni, and advocates from the University of Oregon joined peers from across the state at University Day to meet with legislators and share why strong support for public universities matters to Oregon’s students, communities, and economy.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared their perspective, and helped elevate the importance of higher education in Oregon. We also appreciate the legislators who took the time to meet with advocates and worked to maintain funding for Oregon’s public universities and student aid this session.

Now let’s close out the session by saying thank you.

Take a moment to send a message thanking your legislators for protecting higher education funding this year:

uoregon.quorum.us/campaign/157596

01/23/2026

01/15/2026

A warm welcome to Jenny Haruyama, Eugene's newly selected City Manager!

As a leader with a proven track record in Oregon municipal government, we look forward to her partnership in making Eugene a vibrant place for students, alumni, and neighbors alike.

Welcome to the community!

01/13/2026

Last night at the City of Eugene Government State of the City, Mayor Kaarin highlighted an exciting initiative for our region: the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor (SWVIC).

What is the SWVIC?

It's a regional partnership powered by the research muscle, innovation, and workforce development of the University of Oregon and Oregon State University.

By linking our campus research with industry leaders across Eugene, Springfield, and Corvallis, this partnership is:

• Turning world-class UO research into higher-wage local jobs.
• Ensuring that startups born in UO labs have the support to grow and stay right here in the Valley.
• Bridging the gap between academic innovation and the regional business momentum needed for our graduates to thrive.

We are proud to work alongside our city and industry partners to support a thriving region where our graduates can build world-class careers without having to leave home.

Explore the Corridor at swv-innovation.org

11/20/2025

University of Oregon colleagues from the TallWood Design Institute and Oregon Hazards Lab joined the Association of Oregon Counties Annual Conference to share examples of how their work is advancing housing innovation and strengthening disaster resilience for Oregon communities.

Read more:

- https://ohaz.uoregon.edu/wildfire-cameras/

- https://news.uoregon.edu/curtain-rising-new-way-build-homes

09/16/2025

TAKE ACTION: bit.ly/mcnair-uo

TRIO programs like McNair have opened doors of opportunity for generations of students, providing mentoring, tutoring, research experiences, and supports on the path to graduate school.

But today, McNair and other TRIO programs face an unprecedented crisis.

The U.S. Department of Education has delayed and in some cases cancelled
2025–2026 Grant Award Notifications, leaving programs in limbo just
as the school year begins.

Join us on this McNair Day of Action, and tell Congress to release TRIO funds immediately.

07/25/2025

UO’s Dr. Beth Stormshak joined a virtual roundtable yesterday hosted by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici on the future of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

Dr. Stormshak, Knight Chair and professor at the University of Oregon and director of the Prevention Science Institute, spoke about recent federal changes at IES that have delayed peer review and disrupted timelines for research supporting students, schools, and communities.

Since its establishment in 2002, IES has regularly partnered with UO researchers to improve educational outcomes and address systemic challenges. Over that time, the UO has ranked first among all universities nationally in the number of IES awards received.

Thank you to Congresswoman Bonamici for convening this important discussion and for her continued leadership on federal education research.

06/18/2025

The University of Oregon was proud to be featured in The Science Coalition’s Science of Economic Growth event in Washington, D.C.

Stephen Laffoon, CEO of Penderia Technologies, Inc—a UO Knight Campus startup—represented UO and shared how federally funded university research drives innovation, startup creation, and economic growth.

Penderia is developing orthopedic sensor technology that helps clinicians monitor recovery in real time, helping patients get back on their feet faster. Their work is supported by competitive federal research grants, including funding from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This is what happens when federal research funding works: discoveries move from lab to market, new industries grow, and communities benefit.

As Congress makes funding decisions, it’s critical to protect and strengthen investments in fundamental scientific research that power innovation and fuel our economy.

🔗 Explore how UO startups are turning research into real-world impact: https://www.sciencecoalition.org/universities/university-of-oregon