WINTER 2026 |  ISSUE 3

Thank you to everyone who attended PGA's Events in Winter term and connected with our wonderful presenters. We have a full line up for Spring and hope you'll continue to support the Department of Politics and Global Affairs. 

Nidal Betare presents at the Collective Memory and Political Culture lecture on Jan 21, 2026. 

Dr. Asli Cansunar presents at the 2026 Tarbell Mentorship Program Lecture: Triaging Responsiveness in New States with Limited Capacity. 

Michael Larson of Humans for Housing, Dana Lucero of Metro and Jamie Dunphy of Portland City Council at the Politics and the Arts panel on March 3, 2026. 

Meet PGA's New Adjunct Professors!

Nidal Betare is a Palestinian American scholar and PhD student at the European Center for Palestinian Studies at the University of Exeter, researching collective memory and political culture among Palestinian refugees in Syria.

He holds an MS in Measurement and Evaluation from American University and an MA in Political Sociology from Damascus University.

With over fifteen years of experience in international development and human rights research across the Middle East and North Africa, his writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Journal of Palestinian Studies, and New Lines Magazine. He has lectured at universities and international institutions in the US and abroad.

Nidal Betare will be teaching PS 364 Politics of Identity and Inequality in the Middle East in the Spring 2026 term on Thursday from 11:00 - 12:40 pm. 

Sue Shinomiya holds an MBA from San Francisco State University, including a scholarship at the Institute of International Studies and Trade in Japan. Her nearly 25 years in the intercultural field have included nine years working and living in Japan, and nearly six years managing an on-site program at Intel, Japan. HP, Intel, The Gap, Nike, Tektronix and Starbucks number among her many clients. Sue is a Board Member of SIETAR USA, an intercultural professional association, and is a certified Global Diversity Workforce Practioner.

Sue Shinomiya will be teaching INTL 321U Japan and US Cultures in Contact in the Spring 2026 Term on Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00 - 10:40 am. 

Sundays April 12 - May 31   |  4:30 - 7:00 pm PST    |  Online

Mondays April 13 - June 1    |   5:00 - 7:30 pm PST   |  Online

Campus Prep has provided high-quality, low-cost LSAT prep courses for over 15 years at UCLA, UW, and several other universities. Course details include: live online course taught by a top-scoring instructor you can interact with; comprehensive 27-hour course, including 3 proctored practice exams; prepares you for upcoming LSAT administrations; costs $220–$255, depending on financial-aid eligibility - Payment plans available

Students can apply for the live online courses (and view schedules) at campusprep.org.

Feb 6 - Mar 7,  2026   |   Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

The Cascade Festival of African Films presents Africa through the eyes of Africans, rather than a Westernized vision of the continent. The films celebrate Africa’s achievements, expose its failures, and reveal possibilities for a hopeful future. Although the films cannot represent an entire continent, the Cascade Festival of African Films aims to encourage American viewers to become interested in and learn about African cultures.

See more information here

Summer Diplomat Academy

The Summer Diplomatic Academy is an exceptional opportunity for those interested in international engagement to learn from career ambassadors with decades of experience. The world needs diplomacy more than ever, and WIDA aims to train the next generation of diplomats.

Early Admission Deadline: January 31, 2026

Regular Admission Deadline: March 31, 2026

Apply Now

ASPSU Elections

Join ASPSU! Positions open to undergraduate and graduate students:

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Apply Now

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in Spring 2026:

All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. 

Deadline: March 8, 2026

Apply Now

Spring Internship with Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-OR06)

The Office of Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-OR06) is seeking candidates for a part-time (10-15 hours a week, 8-10 weeks) Spring internship in our Oregon district offices (Salem and Tualatin). The preferred start date of this internship is late March to early April but can be flexible depending on school schedules.

District Interns will assist the outreach staff and caseworkers, research local and national policy issues, help with constituent communication through mail and phone calls, and can attend events and meetings in the district with the Congresswoman and staff. 

Additional details about qualifications, compensation information, and academic credit can be found on our website.

Deadline: March 13, 2026

Apply Now

Airbnb Global Policy Intern

The Airbnb Public Policy team is dedicated to promoting the economic opportunity that short-term rentals create for hosts and communities, while providing a cost-effective, flexible way to travel for guests around the world. The Policy Team works collaboratively with government and industry stakeholders to develop and implement fair and sustainable regulations for the short-term rental sector. The team embodies Airbnb’s innovative spirit, finding creative solutions to policy challenges and building impactful partnerships to support the company's mission.

Apply Now

Academic Testing Services Proctor

PSU Academic Testing Services, a core service of Student Academic Support Services within Academic Affairs, provides academic test proctoring support to Portland State University students and faculty. We prioritize accommodated exams for students registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and their instructors. Our aim is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where students have the best possible chance to showcase their hard-won learning.

Apply Now