Skip to main content

Request info

Success Stories

Read feature profiles and first-person narratives about Oregon State students and alumni, and find stories about the world-class faculty, academic advisors, researchers, instructional designers and other folks who make OSU a welcoming and innovative community.

A black and white photo of a flooded community taken from above showcases the extent of the Vanport disaster.

Intersectional education at work

4 minute read Lynette de Silva is co-director of Oregon State’s water conflict management and transformation program. She is one of many expert OSU faculty members looking at history through a new lens, asking important questions about things like how race played a part in disasters. Read about de Silva’s research into the 1948 Vanport flood.

Melissa Whitney, an Oregon State University graduate and enrollment specialist, stands in a farm field at dusk holding a large lens camera.

3 reasons to earn a business and communications microcredential online

2 minute read The field of business and communications is rapidly evolving. And employers need people with the relevant and in-demand skills to meet organizational needs. Enter: microcredentials. In a few short courses, you can gain skills in business and communications and earn a digital badge to signify to employers your unique skills.

Taking wildlife research to the next level with online data analytics master’s program

4 minute read Brent Wolf is a wildlife research biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He’s also a graduate of Oregon State’s online data analytics master’s program. He was drawn to the program as a way to get a leg up in his current role, and so far it has paid off. “Going for the M.S. in Data Analytics has opened some doors for me that were previously closed,” he said.

Oregon State Everywhere: ‘Consider where you want to go, not where you are’

3 minute read Justin Nelson says the topics covered in Oregon State’s online environmental sciences master’s degree program are ideal for helping students who want to change careers “break into new markets and industries.” Earning a master’s led Justin to a new role working in corporate sustainability strategy.

Tuition benefit program through Guild gives workers ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to learn online

3 minute read Marcus Mateus is one of a growing number of working professionals in the United States enrolling online with Oregon State thanks to collaborations with organizations like Guild Education that offer their employees and members a tuition benefit. Mateus calls it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for workers like him who now have affordable access to an Oregon State education online.

Oregon State history master’s student uses her education to bring the past to life

3 minute read “I’m currently working with a few historical cemeteries to create an interactive walking experience that educates participants on the area’s history,” said history master’s degree student Jessica Sue Cole. “Bringing stories to life of those who’ve gone before us and sharing that information in a way that engages people with the past — it’s the most rewarding job I can imagine.”

Data analytics alumna: Oregon State has ‘all the tools’ for student success online

4 minute read Audrey Dickinson was working as an engineer at HP in Corvallis when she realized that a better understanding of data would make her work even more impactful. Oregon State’s two-year online M.S. in Data Analytics gave her the flexibility to earn her credentials while still working full time at HP. “There are a lot of great professors and the coursework was very valuable. Right away, I applied things that I was learning to my real-life job,” she said.

Oregon State Everywhere: ‘Education is an investment in yourself, and you are worth it’

2 minute read “Here’s my advice to anyone who is considering going back to school: Go for it! There is no better time than now. … Education is an investment in yourself, and you are worth it. OSU Ecampus was user-friendly, with great support.” — Matt Bowling, Oregon State Ecampus graduate

Oregon State’s online computer science program leads to professional success

3 minute read “I primarily wanted to better myself by furthering my education and doing the work I love,” Eric Rouse says. “Now, I’m half-owner of the company that I work for. Completing my computer science degree at OSU Ecampus helped create the career of my dreams.”

Oregon State online public policy grad working for ‘an entire generation of children’

4 minute read Matt Pennon knew firsthand the joys of fostering children; he and his husband built their family by fostering five kids in six years. He was also no stranger to the challenges. And thanks to employees in Santa Barbara County’s Department of Social Services who saw his potential — and the opportunity to gain relevant skills online with Oregon State — Pennon has successfully parlayed those experiences into a career offering families like his essential training and assistance.