January 26, 2026

Results from the Campus Climate Survey conducted in spring 2025 are now available for employees and students. The survey, led by the former Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion, provides insight on how members of the PSU community experience the university’s culture and climate.

Results are shared in two formats for each group: a summary report highlighting key findings and a set of aggregated data showing responses to every survey question. The reports are descriptive only and do not include analysis, interpretation, or recommendations. The incoming Chief Diversity Officer will review the results and convene campus workgroups to engage with the data and determine next steps.

In a new blog post, PSU President Ann Cudd reflects on the survey results for employees and students, noting areas where PSU is doing well and where improvement is needed.

Later this term, the university will host a facilitated community conversation where employees can reflect on the results and share their own experiences with various aspects of the campus climate. Details of the event will be shared in an upcoming edition of Currently.

Four finalists in PSU’s search for the next Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will visit campus, starting next week. All members of the PSU community are encouraged to participate in the Open Forums scheduled for each candidate. The forums will take place in person in the Smith Memorial Student Union (SMSU) at 11 a.m. on the following dates:

Each candidate will give a presentation, to be followed by a Q&A session. Finalists’ CVs will be made available via the search website 24 hours prior to their visit.

A recording is now available of the Jan. 21 PSU Town Hall on federal financial aid changes. Presented by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the session covered major updates to student aid taking effect in 2026–2027 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), how it could impact students’ ability to pay for college, and identified potential impacts within PSU. Part of the presentation also included information from PSU Government Relations about how employees can advocate for students and programs.

The Office of Academic Affairs invites you to recognize the remarkable faculty and staff who make PSU a vibrant, student-centered community. Nominations are now open for PSU’s annual Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards. There are a variety of categories honoring exceptional contributions in teaching, research, service and leadership.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, Feb. 13

Finance & Administration (FADM) is announcing a transition in the Financial Services leadership team. Clint Roberts, currently serving as Assistant Controller, will step into the role of interim Controller effective Feb. 1. This appointment ensures steady leadership and continuity as we consider the next steps for our long-term finance structure.

This appointment follows the departure of Jason Abbott, who is joining a global accounting firm after 14 years with the university. Since joining as Assistant Manager and rising to Controller in 2020, Jason has anchored our financial operations with excellence, achieving over five years of clean audits. We thank Jason for his significant contributions to PSU’s financial health and wish him continued success in his career.

A permanent interpretive placemaker now stands at the original site of the Vanport Extension Center, the institution that later became Portland State University. The placemaker highlights the extension center’s role in Vanport City and the Memorial Day flood of 1948 that forced the institution to relocate and ultimately take on a new name. The sign is part of the broader Vanport Placemaking Project, which honors the community, work and lives that existed in Vanport before the devastating flood. Portland State’s placemaker was made possible through a collaboration among volunteers with the Retirement Association of Portland State (RAPS), local design firm Otak, and the City of Portland’s Bureau of Parks and Recreation.

The 60th Annual Nina Mae Kellogg Lecture welcomes writer and critic Merve Emre for a thought-provoking talk on Virginia Woolf, gender, and education: Why We Should Feel Bad for Men, or Virginia Woolf's Incomparable Female Gaze. Emre examines Woolf’s 1929 essay A Room of One’s Own and its insights into the life of the mind and the death of imagination in the university, for both women and men.

Tuesday, Feb. 3
7 p.m.
Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC)

Beans to Phin is back on campus with bold, smooth and authentic Vietnamese coffee — brewed the traditional way through the phin filter. Each cup celebrates culture, community, and connection. Don’t miss the fun specials for Lunar New Year! Come sip, connect, and experience Vietnamese coffee crafted with heart.

Jan. 27 - Feb. 5
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Karl Miller Center (KMC) Atrium

Take a break and join your colleagues for a fun afternoon of friendly competition at the Faculty/Staff Bowling Tournament! It’s a great chance to de-stress and connect with the PSU community in a casual, low-stakes environment. This tournament is entirely free for all PSU faculty and staff and is held on Thursday, Feb. 5 in the SMSU Viking Gameroom. Space is limited — registration is required by Tuesday, Feb. 3 to guarantee your team's spot. Don't miss out!

Rip City! Campus Rec invites its members to the 11th annual Night at the Blazers as they take on the Phoenix Suns. Buy your $15 tickets at Campus Rec Member Services. The game is at the Moda Center next Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Limit of 2 tickets per member while supplies last.

In honor of Black History Month, the PSU community is invited to attend the Where We Goin? Power of Place Roadshow, an evening featuring two short films that explore home, displacement and Black identity. Dear Young Black Portland reflects on the loss of a family home to eminent domain and the ongoing pursuit of justice. Where We Goin?: The Power of Place follows a young Black Portland filmmaker examining migration, identity and belonging alongside artist Intisar Abioto and leaders from Albina Vision Trust. The screening concludes with a fireside chat moderated by Executive Producer Donovan Scribes.

Tuesday, Feb. 10
5 p.m.
SMSU Ballroom

Workshop: Prepare for the Career Fair
The University Career Center is hosting a workshop this Wednesday at 11 a.m. at FMH to help students prepare to interact with employers at the Winter Career Fair next month. Students can register on Handshake.

Climate research opportunity for graduate students
The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) is now accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Research Fellowship Program, which supports climate adaptation research and provides training in developing decision-relevant science. Info session on Feb. 12.

Paying for college
The deadline is March 1 for students to apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA) and PSU scholarships. Send students to the Student Finance webpage to get started.

Have you met a best friend or significant other at PSU? Or maybe you found a stray animal on campus that is now a beloved pet? Heck, do you have a vending machine or food cart you just LOVE? If so, we'd like to share your story with our community. We can’t wait to hear your stories of love! 

Deadline for submissions is Thursday, Feb. 12.

Eric Hall, assistant professor of epidemiology in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, discussed impacts of rapid changes to vaccine schedules with the New Republic; Marisa Zapata, director of the Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative, shared new findings about the state of homelessness in Oregon with Axios; and Population Estimates Program Manager Huda Alkitkat talked with OPB about Oregon’s population growth.

All week

Residual Moments | Archiving the Building: The 5th Avenue Years

Mapping Familiar Territories, Charting New Paths

Monday, January 26

Biology Seminar Series: Deep Dive Into Ancient Marine Venoms

Tuesday, January 27

Lecture-Recital on Brazilian Repertoire for Solo Trumpet

Technical Communication Meetup: Dr. Read Reads!

Indifference to Accountability: The Tokyo Judgement, Justice Pal’s Dissenting Opinion, & Their Implications for India-Japan Relations Today

Wednesday, January 28

Oregon Tribal Language Speaker Series: Coquille

Reading Community-Engaged Learning (CEL)

Heightened Scrutiny: Free Film Screening + Director Q&A

Women’s+ Community Sports Hours

Thursday, January 29

Show & Tell Design Lecture Series Presents Macy Eiesland

Lecture: The Effects of Physical Training and Lumbopelvic Stabilization on Solo Trumpet Performance

WTF is Going On? Join PGA for an Informal Conversation About Politics

Conversation with Alexandra Terry, Epiphany Couch, and Brenda Mallory

Opening Reception of Mapping Familiar Territories, Charting New Paths

Women’s+ Learn to Climb Course

Matthias Kemeny Design lecture Series Presents Forest Young

Men’s Basketball v. Montana

Friday, January 30

CPID Continuing the Conversation Everything is Interrelated Forum by Sergio Palleroni

Foundations of Pilates Small Group Course

Music @ Midday: Winds and Reeds

Maseeh Mathematics + Statistics Colloquium Series

Saturday, January 31

Men’s Basketball v. Montana State

Sunday, February 1

PSU Opera Scholarship Competition 2026

Find more events at: PSU Events, OAI Events, Viks Athletics

Published/Exhibited
Berrin Erdogan, Sally Guyon, Nariyo Kono, Will Parnell, Frederik Vos

Presented
Kathi Inman Berens, Elise Granek, Hollie Hix-Small, Rachel Noorda, JJP Veerman

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University Place Hotel & Conference Center

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.