Eastern Oregon University Named Among Top 200 Colleges for Indigenous Students

A slate of Tribal Student Grants, AISES-partnered scholarships, and a dedicated Native American Program helped Eastern Oregon University earn a spot on Winds of Change magazine's 2026 list of the "Top 200 Colleges for Indigenous Students," placing the 2,800-student La Grande campus among universities that far outsize it in enrollment.

Winds of Change, the flagship publication of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), selected EOU in its February 2026 college issue. The magazine focuses on career and educational advancement for Indigenous people of North America and the Pacific Islands, and its annual college ranking carries weight among Native and Indigenous families weighing their options across the region.

"Being recognized among the top colleges for Indigenous students reflects Eastern Oregon University's ongoing commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and support systems," said Pepper Huxoll, EOU's Native American Program and MOSAIC Center Coordinator. "We are proud to cultivate a community where Indigenous students can thrive academically and culturally."

The support structure behind the ranking centers on the Native American Program and MOSAIC Center, both coordinated by Huxoll from offices in La Grande's Hoke Union Building, which provide culturally responsive advising for Indigenous students navigating academics and campus life. On the financial side, EOU offers Tribal Student Grant opportunities alongside AISES-partnered awards, including the AISES 3M Scholarship for incoming freshmen and the A.T. Anderson Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students. The university's own First Citizen Award, endowed through the EOU Foundation, is renewable for up to four years for Native students who maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Academic programming includes an interdisciplinary Native American Studies curriculum within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, drawing from history, economics, political science, anthropology, and law. The Speel-Ya Native American Student Council supports campus life by raising awareness and promoting Indigenous culture through collaboration with other student groups, and EOU hosts an annual powwow, most recently held in 2025. STEM pathways carry additional depth through partnerships with Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University.

The campus sits on the traditional homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Nez Perce tribes in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, a geographic and cultural context that shapes EOU's approach to Indigenous education. Prospective students can schedule a half-day Preview Day campus visit through EOU Admissions or contact Huxoll's office directly to discuss scholarship eligibility, advising options, and program details for the upcoming term.

The Winds of Change recognition arrives as rural workforce shortages across health care, education, and natural resources continue pressing northeastern Oregon communities. Local education partners and tribal liaisons may use the national designation to pursue additional grants and collaborative programs, making the accolade less a moment of celebration than a foundation for the next round of work.