Miles Between Us: Oregon Urban Rural Ambassadors 2026

Help students cross physical and perceived divides so they may build bridges for the future of Oregon.

The Urban-Rural Ambassadors Program is not your typical university course—it’s an immersive, eye-opening journey through the heart of Oregon.

Co-created by Eastern Oregon University (EOU) and Portland State University (PSU), this unique program brings together students from across the urban-rural spectrum to explore Oregon’s diverse landscapes, communities, and challenges—together.

Over the course of the program, students step out of the classroom and into real conversations and site visits while addressing societal issues. Along the way, they build collaborative leadership skills, bridge cultural and geographic divides, and discover common ground.

By uniting different perspectives and lived experiences, the Urban-Rural Ambassadors Program empowers a new generation of leaders ready to strengthen Oregon—one connection at a time.

Your Support Makes This Journey Possible

Thanks to generous donors, our 2025 GoFundMe campaign helped 16 students take part in this life-changing experience. Let’s keep the momentum going.

While Eastern Oregon University and Portland State University cover instructional costs—and student fees, along with the Scott Fairley Student Scholarship Fund, help with some expenses—the biggest barriers remain: transportation, lodging, meals, and the essential logistics that make this statewide experience possible.

For 2026, we’re aiming higher. We need to raise $15,000 to ensure 20 students from diverse backgrounds can fully participate.

Every dollar brings us closer to a more connected, more resilient Oregon.

Invest in Oregon’s Future—One Student at a Time

At a time when university budgets are tightening and divisions between urban and rural communities can feel wider than ever, your support keeps this program alive—and growing.

The Urban-Rural Ambassadors Program gives students the tools, experiences, and relationships they need to become the kind of leaders Oregon truly needs: collaborative, curious, and committed to solving problems across divides.

Your donation helps students show up—fully. It covers the real-world costs that make this journey possible: transportation, housing, food, and more.

Help us ensure this transformative experience isn’t limited by zip code or bank account. Donate today, and be part of a movement to build stronger, more connected communities across Oregon.

More on the program:

Eastern Oregon University program page

Portland State University program page