Raiders Rising:
Connect these dots: Fidel Castro and the Mariel boatlift. The Miami Dolphins and that city’s Little Havana neighborhood. The Everglades, alligators, pythons and a fossilized tooth. Intellectual curiosity. Southern Oregon University. Those are waypoints on the road map of Frank Rodriguez’s life. He is anchored to and guided by them even as he takes a giant step toward the career that, until recently, he would have lacked the audacity to so much as dream about – paleontologist and research scientist.
Selected as a top 10 finalist in Outside magazine’s search for the “Best Town in America”, the vibrant and welcoming City of Ashland dazzles as a culturally rich mecca for tourism, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and breathtaking outdoor experiences. Our beautiful location provides ready access to an array of resplendent natural wonders, including Mt. Ashland, the Rogue River, and Crater Lake National Park. Ashland is a small city with big connections — and that’s why our graduates are so successful.
SOU provides career-focused, comprehensive educational experiences to over 6,200 students. Along with an emphasis on student success and intellectual growth, SOU is committed to diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Theoretical and experiential learning programs provide quality, innovative experiences for students. At SOU, students build strong community connections through internships, mentorships, field studies, capstone projects, volunteer opportunities and civic engagement.
Southern Oregon University is a proud member of the Rogue Valley Community and the City of Ashland, Oregon. Our treasured partnerships with neighbors, local businesses, and organizations help our beautiful campus thrive. We are proud to offer a host of programs and events open to the public, fostering community engagement and encouraging cultural diversity in the Southern Oregon region. Visit our “Friends of SOU” page and check out our list of affiliated partners and programs.
2019 American Association of State Colleges and Universities Award Winner
American Association of State Colleges has selected SOU to be part of the Re-Imagining the First Year of College project
