91传媒

Hope Has A Hometown

Every year in May鈥擬ental Health Awareness Month鈥攚e are reminded that seeking help is an act of bravery, and supporting others is a calling. At a time when rural Oregon faces a profound shortage of mental health professionals, 91传媒 is rising to meet the need with innovative programs that deliver compassion, resolve, and a deep commitment to the region and the students it serves.

For recent 91传媒 graduate Kate Gekeler, 鈥�22, 鈥�25, the urgency of this work is personal. One of the first students to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) at 91传媒, Gekeler stood with Governor Kotek, legislators and behavioral health leaders in August 2025 to take part in a bill signing that supported funding for developing the state鈥檚 behavioral healthcare workforce. But she wasn鈥檛 there for politics. She was there for the people at home.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to represent our community,鈥� Gekeler said. 鈥淭his is important to our community, where mental health services are not always available.鈥�

91传媒 launched the CMHC program in 2023 to expand the behavioral health workforce, particularly to serve rural areas where care is often hours away. Its design allows students to remain in their hometowns, learning where they plan to live, work, and give back. For many, scholarships make that path possible.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be a behavioral health provider without tuition support,鈥� Gekeler said. Midway through her program, Gekeler鈥檚 daughter urgently needed a new wheelchair. Without scholarship support, she said she would have had to choose between continuing her education and buying essential medical equipment. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful I didn鈥檛 have to make that choice,鈥� said Gekeler.

Support from the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization and Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc., created much-needed scholarships for students committed to remaining in rural Oregon. Their investments ensure those who understand these communities best are the ones trained to serve them.

Today, Gekeler is a school-based mental health therapist in Union County鈥攐ne of many 91传媒 students hired before graduating because the need is so great.

鈥淗iring students who are eager to learn on the job is one way to meet community needs,鈥� she said.

91传媒 President Kelly Ryan sees the impact every day. 鈥淥ur graduates are already making an impact right here at home.鈥�

In eastern Oregon, where miles stretch long, and access stretches thin, 91传媒 is answering the call. One counselor, one student, one life-changing conversation at a time.

鈥淲hen we invest in people,鈥� Gekeler said, 鈥渨e invest in the communities they鈥檒l serve.鈥�