The Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) wrapped up its 15th year with its first two-year partnership. SCYP completed nine projects for the City of Oakridge with disciplines ranging from architecture, marketing, journalism, geographic information systems, planning analysis, and public policy.
“The City of Oakridge is incredibly grateful for the two-year partnership with SCYP. The expertise and assistance from UO faculty and students will allow us to take on far more projects and endeavors benefiting the city than we would otherwise be able to accomplish due to understaffing and limited funds,” said James Cleavenger, Oakridge City Administrator.
Project spotlights: Students driving real-world change in Oakridge
From improving access to justice, strengthening local news, supporting small businesses, and developing infrastructure plans, student-driven projects are shaping real change in Oakridge. A selection of projects follows. To explore the full collection of 2024-25 Oakridge project reports, check out Scholars’ Bank.
Oakridge Municipal Court Program Policy Report
The City of Oakridge operates a Municipal Court that addresses various violations and misdemeanors. However, many citizens can’t afford fines, which leads to a lack of justice. Students explored an Oakridge-specific “community service program” to improve access to justice, allowing defendants to fulfill their fines through volunteer work.
As part of their research, students interviewed nonprofits and city governments, examined legal statutes, and compared similar programs in nearby cities. Their findings informed the development of the community service program for Oakridge.
"The Real World Community Service Program Development team had an immediate impact for Oakridge – the team’s detailed program model allowed the city to immediately begin implementing the program. It was huge for the team to be able to see such quick results from their work!” said Planning, Public Policy and Management faculty Aniko Drlik-Muehleck.
With the students' insights and ideas, Oakridge intends to create its community service diversion program in late summer 2025.
Assessing the Information Needs of Oakridge
In collaboration with the Agora Journalism Center, The Highway 58 Herald, and local non-profits, students focused on identifying the health of Oakridge’s local news and civic information ecosystem. Students engaged directly with the community to evaluate the availability, accessibility, and quality of local news and information, ensuring residents’ information needs are met and empowering them to participate fully in civic life.
"Working with the City of Oakridge and the SCYP through our Engaged Journalism class was definitely a highlight of my winter term. Getting the opportunity to converse with Oakridge residents and provide recommendations for their news and information needs was a truly rewarding process. It provides hope for the future of community-centered journalism as its importance increases,” said journalism student Becca Weinberg '25.
PPPM 636: Public Policy Analysis
Wastewater Treatment Facility Analysis and Capital Improvement Plan Development
Faced with an aging wastewater treatment infrastructure, Oakridge needed a plan to address capital improvement planning and potential funding sources. Students conducted site visits, a Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT) analysis, and best practices research from comparable cities. They also discussed operational and resiliency needs in order to craft a Capital Improvement Plan. Their recommendations include infrastructure upgrades, operational improvements, and additional capabilities.
"It was great that the class partnered with the Sustainable City Year Program because we got a chance to work on real-world problems with the City of Oakridge. Through site visits and regular Teams meetings, we were able to get information about their wastewater treatment facility and use the policy analysis coursework we were learning to create and recommend policy options to address those problems,” said Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management student Robin Henry ‘26.
The City of Oakridge has plans to implement this student project, which will provide long-term benefits for the Oakridge community.
A Marketing Blueprint to Enhance Local Businesses in Oakridge
This project highlights how local engagement and strategic marketing can drive sustainable growth in small communities. Students undertook detailed analyses of four local small businesses integral to the City of Oakridge’s identity: Brock’s Wood Lot, Mill Pond Station, The Campfire (Cowgirl Cook’n), and Trans Cascadia Excursions. Each project examined these businesses’ unique challenges and opportunities, culminating in tailored marketing strategies and operational insights to help support Oakridge’s economic development. The student teams provided recommendations centered on digital marketing, brand development, and community partnerships to help increase visibility, attract customers, and strengthen long-term resilience.
"During fall 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to partner with small businesses in the charming City of Oakridge through my Marketing 311 class. Our class immersed ourselves in the local community, learning how each unique business contributes to Oakridge's vibrant character. Through conversations with passionate business owners, we gained valuable insights into their dedication to serving local residents and visitors alike. In return, my class developed tailored marketing strategies to help these businesses thrive and expand their reach, while preserving the authentic small-town spirit that makes Oakridge special,” said marketing student Sara Langford.
This course will return to Oakridge in fall 2025. It will offer Oakridge businesses and events the opportunity to pitch their marketing challenges, and student teams will develop strategic solutions and propose new product offerings specific to their needs.
What’s next?
This two-year collaboration between SCYP and Oakridge demonstrates what’s possible when students, faculty, and city leaders work together. From policy reform and economic development to civic engagement and infrastructure reform, the partnership is creating impact for Oakridge.
"This exceptional program has been a transformative asset to our small rural community, providing our limited city staff with access to the expertise, creativity, and innovation of students,” said Bryan Cutchen, Mayor of the City of Oakridge.
Stay tuned as this partnership continues into the next academic year!
- Denali Herrick, SCYP Communication and Visual Media Assistant, Master's in Advertising and Brand Responsibility ‘25