Oregon Open Campus partnership increases educational opportunities in Crook County

Residents can earn degrees without leaving county

Oregon Open Campus, a partnership between Oregon State University, Central Oregon Community College, and Crook County, brought credit college classes to the area for the first time since 2003.  During winter term 2012, more than 300 students enrolled in classes, workshops and trainings. The average student age was 39, and 60 percent were first-time college students. Classes offered locally have saved students over 1.4 million road miles traveling to Bend or Redmond. Now, students can stay in Crook County to get an associate, bachelor, or post-baccalaureate degree via face-to-face or online learning. The COCC Crook County Open Campus building was also made possible by this partnership. This $6.9 million project, funded by grant money and other donations, provided 120 family wage jobs and more than $4 million of direct local economic impact.

Source: Jeff Papke, Rebecca Badger