PSU and LAIKA to collaborate on Portland Winter Light displays |
Next month, visitors from across the city and beyond will have the opportunity to see Portland State University in a whole new way. PSU and LAIKA, the stop motion animation company based in Hillsboro, will collaborate on three installations during the annual Portland Winter Light Festival. Stephen Lee, associate professor in the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design and some of the LAIKA faculty fellows will create the light display at the Simon Benson House. Local artists will collaborate with LAIKA for installations on the side of the Smith Memorial Student Union and in the trees in the South Park Blocks between Montgomery and Harrison streets. The Winter Light Festival’s theme is “All the Little Things” and runs Feb. 6-7 and 13-14.
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Today: PSU Alert system test |
Heads up! PSU’s Emergency Management unit is testing PSU Alerts, the campus emergency notification system, today at 12:50 p.m. While no action is required during the test, this is an opportunity to take small steps for a more resilient community. Don’t get scared, get prepared!
Visit PSU Emergency Management’s new preparedness landing page for tools and resources to weather the unexpected.
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Last call for units to participate
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Today is the final day to apply to be included in the 2026 PSU Spring Day of Giving. Applications close at the end of day today, Jan. 20.
Spring Day of Giving is a 36-hour, campus-wide fundraising effort organized by the PSU Foundation and is one of PSU’s most effective opportunities to generate broad donor support. Last year’s event raised more than $320,000 for scholarships, student services, academic programs and athletics.
Units must apply for their funds to be included. Submit your fund for approval today to take part in this year’s effort.
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Town Hall tomorrow: Federal Financial Aid Changes and Campus Impacts |
Beginning July 1, 2026, major changes to federal student aid under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) will take effect, with implications for enrollment, student services, budgets and aspects of academic program planning at PSU. At tomorrow’s Town Hall, the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will outline the key changes and discuss how they may affect the university and its students — and how employees can support campus-wide preparation efforts.
Wednesday, Jan. 21
12:45 – 1:25 p.m
Hoffmann Hall
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Nominate a candidate for a 2026 Honorary Degree |
Honorary degrees are one of the ways PSU recognizes individuals whose scholarship, artistry, public service or leadership reflect the values of this institution. Faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for 2026 honorary degrees by Thursday, Jan. 22.
Last year's honorary degree recipients were Grammy-nominated artist Adam Aminé Daniel, workplace culture and inclusion advocate Al Barkouli, and Portland drag queen Poison Waters (pictured above).
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News from the President's Office |
- A search is now underway for a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). Learn about the role, which reports directly to the President, and the search process on the Chief Diversity Officer Search webpage.
- On her blog, President Ann Cudd shared a statement about the decision to reinstate 10 faculty members.
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Update to PSU Safe Driving Program: 15-passenger vans |
Portland State University is updating its Safe Driving Program, effective January 2026. The updated program allows employees to rent 15-passenger vehicles, a change from current restrictions.
Employees wishing to rent 12- or 15-passenger vehicles must complete the authorization process for high occupancy vans outlined on Environmental Health and Safety's Driver Authorization webpage.
These changes will affect departments that rent high occupancy vehicles for academic or research purposes.
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Portland State researchers release new 2025 statewide homelessness report |
PSU’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative (HRAC) released its 2025 statewide homeless report, revealing a complex picture. While Oregon has made historic gains in shelter capacity — increasing the number of people sheltered by nearly 50% — the total number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise due to economic insecurity and a shortage of affordable housing.
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New exhibit opens today at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU
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Mapping Familiar Territories, Charting New Paths is on view Jan. 20 - April 25, at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) at PSU (FMH 110). The exhibition features work by 11 contemporary artists who use mapping as a creative and critical practice to explore place, identity, power, and social and environmental issues. Presented across a range of media, the works examine how maps shape personal and collective understandings of the world.
Admission is free and open to the campus and community.
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Today: Town Hall with state Rep. Grayber |
Attend a town hall with state Rep. Dacia Grayber, who represents the PSU campus. This is a great opportunity to thank Rep. Grayber for being a champion for students and Portland State University, hear about her priorities and expectations going into the 2026 legislative session and ask questions.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
6 - 7 p.m.
Toulan Library (PSU Urban Center, Room 770)
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Faculty workshop today: Using AI for Teaching and Learning |
Join the Office of Academic Innovation (OAI) for Using AI for Teaching and Learning on Tuesday, Jan. 20, noon–1 p.m., in RMNC Room 123. This session is a low-pressure, practical look at NotebookLM (a PSU-supported AI tool): what it can do, what it can’t, and where it might — or might not — fit in your teaching and course work. You’ll have time to try it, ask questions, and hear how it's being used by others.Â
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Apply now to be a mentor to an international student |
The International Student Mentor Program (ISMP) is recruiting for the 2026 - 2027 academic year. The ISMP is designed to provide ongoing assistance to incoming international students admitted to PSU. Peer mentors assist new international students in the transition from their respective countries to our university by connecting with students before they arrive in Portland, assisting with the International Student Orientations, and serving as a cultural bridge and a resource to new students during their first term in the United States. Applicants can be from any cultural background, department, and all educational levels. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Feb. 8. For questions, email intl-newstudents@pdx.edu.
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Save the Date: Graduate research in a flash! |
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is a global event that challenges graduate students from across disciplines to explain their amazing thesis work (research or scholarship) using just one slide and in under three minutes!
This year, PSU’s competition is on Friday, Jan. 30. Save the date and plan to attend this fun event that explores a variety of research activities undertaken by our graduate students — presented in a fun, engaging and accessible way.
Friday, Jan. 30
Karl Miller Center (KMC) 185
2:30 p.m. — Competition begins
4 - 5 p.m. — Social hour with light refreshments and competition results
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Campus Rec offers small group classes for pilates, weightlifting and climbing |
This winter, Campus Rec is piloting a series of small group courses. These introductory courses meet for four sessions of Foundations of Pilates, Women on Weights, and Womens+ Learn to Climb. Small group courses are led by knowledgeable and experienced instructors in a supportive community environment, perfect for members new to the activity. All small group courses require registration through the member portal. Cost is $40. Registration is open now and courses begin next week!
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Winter Career Week is Feb. 2-6, Career Fair on Feb. 9
Help students make connections between their coursework and career goals during Career Week next month. Career Week brings together panels, networking events, resume reviews and employer-led workshops, followed by a Career Fair. Please share the events list with your students! Questions? Contact Giovanna DiFalco @ GDiFalco@pdx.edu
Scholarship applications are open
There are millions of dollars in scholarships available to PSU students! Let them know that the time to apply is now — the deadline to apply for PSU scholarships is March 1. Send them to Scholarship Universe to find funds.
Now is the time to apply for financial aid
The Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) is open and the PSU deadline to apply is March 1. Please share the Office of Student Finance link with students, where they’ll find the application and support.
Reach students through the Virtual Viking newsletter
Have an opportunity or event that you want to share with students? Submit to the Virtual Viking, the weekly student newsletter produced by University Communications. The Virtual Viking is sent to all enrolled students — grad and undergrad — Monday mornings during Fall, Winter and Spring terms (except finals weeks).
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Associate Professor of Practice Ingrid Anderson, working in the College of Education and School of Social Work, spoke about financial modeling and the Preschool for All program in Willamette Week; AJ Romero-Gemmell, the graduate student trustee on PSU’s Board of Trustees, discussed challenges in supporting student success in HigherEd Dive; and Rashad Floyd, new general manager of the Vikings football program, talked with KPTV about revamping the program.
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People
Bright Alozie, Shannon Blajeski, Óscar Fernández, Allyson Meyers, Alison Nimura, Ken Ruoff, Christina White
Presented
Kathi Inman Berens, Nila Friedberg, Piman Limpaphayom, Suwako Watanabe
Published/Exhibited
Bright Alozie, Hande Buyuksahin, Alida Cantor, Jingjing Chen, Jennifer Dill, Celine Fitzmaurice, Seanna Kerrigan, Harold McNaron, Greg Townley, Erica Wagner
Grants
Bright Alozie
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CURRENTLY is a weekly newsletter for the employees of Portland State University, published by University Communications. News items, events and accolades should be sent to currently@pdx.edu. Deadline is noon, the Tuesday before publication. See the Currently website for submission guidelines and schedule.
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