Oregon State University - Cascades students will have new opportunities to gain valuable workplace experience through a new career accelerator program.
OSU-Cascades is one of a handful of universities from around the country selected to participate in the National Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator, which aims to help university institutions pilot scalable models of career-integrated learning that align with regional workforce needs.
The accelerator is a two-year project led by Arizona State University, a recognized leader in advancing student career preparation, and funded by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation and Strada Education Foundation.
OSU-Cascades was selected in part for its success launching activities that integrate career readiness into the student experience, including the Cascades Edge career preparation program launched in 2023, and SnoPlanks Academy, where students lead and manage all functions of a snowboard company. The award will help launch similar opportunities in the coming years.
Other participating universities, also noted for prioritizing undergraduates’ academic learning in conjunction with career preparation, include Bowling Green State University, Morgan State University, Rowan College at Burlington, University of Central Florida, University of Maryland Baltimore County and University of North Texas.
“At OSU-Cascades, our goal is for every student to graduate with the ability to articulate the leadership and career outcomes they’ve cultivated during their academic experience,” said Cynthia Engel, director of the OSU-Cascades’ Career Development Center. “Through the Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator pilot, we’ll scale that vision and design, test and build a dynamic and inclusive model that prepares students for even more meaningful and durable professional success — and work with employer partners to collaborate in that success.”
OSU-Cascades’ Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator pilot will be led by a cross-functional team of faculty, staff and administrators to include representatives from across degree fields, as well as information technology and industry relations experts. The team’s work will be guided by input from students and industry partners.
The team will collaborate with ASU and participating institutions to co-develop and test innovative approaches to work-integrated learning, such as embedding work experiences into courses through micro-internships, project-based learning and employer challenges.
The pilot will also consider future opportunities to take place within OSU-Cascades’ planned innovation district, which is designed to foster collaborations between the university, industry and the community.
OSU-Cascades’ pilot activities are anticipated to launch in spring 2026.
Participating universities were each awarded $150,000 in funding to support startup costs and technology adoption.
Through learnings from the pilots, accelerator leaders at ASU will develop an open-access digital resource available to share with higher education institutions, employers and others.
The pilot at OSU-Cascades will support OSU’s strategic goal of becoming a university where every student graduates, and complement a new university-wide requirement launched in summer 2025 that ensures every student graduates with career skills and connections.
About OSU-Cascades: Oregon State University’s campus in Bend brings higher education to Central Oregon, the fastest growing region in the state. Surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades is a highly innovative campus of a top-tier land grant research university, offering small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning. Degree programs meet industry and economic needs in areas such as innovation and entrepreneurship, natural ecosystems, health and wellness, and arts and sciences, and prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. OSU-Cascades is expanding to serve 3,000 to 5,000 students, building a 128-acre campus with net-zero goals.