February 16, 2026

This image was created using image-to-image generative AI. The party pups are real dogs, from left to right, Nikki, Hobbs and Dukkha. They were added to the original photo of the dog park.

PSU is getting a dog park — and it opens this Wednesday! The fenced park is located at SW 10th and SW Market, near the Vernier Science Center. It is part of campus-wide placemaking efforts.

Planning and Sustainability is holding a contest to name the new park. Submissions are due by March 20 — best entry wins a $25 PSU Bookstore gift card and bragging rights!

This week is a "soft" opening — Planning and Sustainability will be hosting a grand opening at a future date.

Pack Viking Pavilion this Thursday as PSU’s first-place men’s basketball plays its first nationally televised home game on ESPNU vs. Idaho Vandals. Tipoff is 6 p.m.

This is a special campus moment — come cheer on our students and help show PSU pride on the national stage.

Faculty & staff tickets are $7 with code PSUMBB.

Thursday, Feb. 19
6 p.m.
Viking Pavilion

PSU leaders held the Winter Administrative Briefing last Wednesday for an audience of approximately 200 employees, online and in person. Presentations covered the university’s budget, financial sustainability, academic program evaluation, digital accessibility, and legislative priorities. The slide deck can be found on the Employee Events page of the Currently news hub.

Due to time constraints, a planned presentation on efforts to improve PSU's communications with students was postponed and will be explored in greater depth at a Town Hall on Wednesday, May 6. [Save the date]

Portland State Board of Trustees Chair Wally Van Valkenburg shared a message on the Board website reflecting on last month's full board meeting and responding to public comment.

The Tribal Relations at PSU series continues with a presentation from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Tribal Language Program. This is an opportunity to learn about the program’s history, language revitalization efforts and future projects.

Tuesday, Feb. 17
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC)

PSU will host a panel discussion focused on how professionals can support individuals in accessing gender-affirming health care. The panel brings together practitioners with experience supporting Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ communities. The event is open to PSU and OHSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The panel is organized by the 2SLGBTQ+ Health Initiative, a collaboration across the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, College of Education, and School of Social Work.

Tuesday, Feb. 17
5 - 6:30 p.m.
Hybrid

Curious about what it's like for our students to live on campus? This week is your chance to visit any of the university’s five residence halls and tour a variety of room types. This is the only time of year when all of the buildings are open for touring!

Wednesday, Feb. 18
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Check in at St. Helens or Broadway

If a data-driven problem is slowing your research, PSU’s Computational and Data Enabled Sciences (CADES) Consulting Lab can help. The lab supports projects from any discipline, assisting researchers in identifying appropriate computational techniques, data handling methods, and quantitative tools for their work. At the same time, the program provides hands-on training opportunities for student consultants. The CADES Lab is now accepting Spring 2026 consulting requests, with a deadline of March 23. Selected clients will meet with CADES students early in the term to discuss their data needs in more depth. 

Hatfield Futures, a program of Oregon’s Kitchen Table, is now accepting applications for high-school students across Oregon to attend a week-long summer camp at PSU. Teams work together to envision Oregon’s future and generate proposals to address important social, environmental and economic issues.

2026 Camp Dates: July 5 - July 11
2026 Showcase: Saturday, July 11

Please share the application and flyer widely with anyone you may know who would be interested or an organization that works with high school students. Your support is especially needed in reaching rural communities across the state. This program is free and all meals and lodging are covered.

Oregon’s Kitchen Table is a program of the National Policy Consensus Center, housed in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government.

The College of Education is hosting Strike a Pose: Intro to Ballroom Culture with The Dojo for an interactive evening that’s all about hands-on experiences, not lectures. Whether you’ve binged every season of Legendary, you’re curious about voguing, or you just want to try something completely new in a welcoming space — this is your chance! Learn about Ballroom history and culture while actually experiencing what makes this scene so incredible: the artistry, community, and freedom to express yourself.

Wednesday, Feb. 18
5:30 - 7 p.m.
SMSU Room 333
FREE!

Join Hoji Tea Studio on the 1st floor of the Karl Miller Center (KMC) Building for a thoughtfully crafted tea experience blending Chinese tea traditions with Japanese hojicha. Centered around roasted tea, each cup highlights warmth, balance, and depth. This pop-up invites you to slow down, sip with intention, and experience tea through culture and craft.

Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Thursday, Feb. 26
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Karl Miller Center (KMC), 1st Floor

Join in a fun and splashy community evening at the pool! This Friday, Campus Rec is transforming the pool into a floating cinema for a Dive-In Movie night, featuring Disney/Pixar's Luca (Rated PG). This is an accessible and enjoyable event for all Campus Rec members and their families. Current members swim for free; guests are welcome for a $9 fee. As this event is scheduled during youth hours, all ages are invited to attend! Just bring your suit, a towel, and get ready to enjoy a movie from the water or the deck.

Friday, Feb. 20
6 - 8 p.m.
Campus Rec

World-renowned guest composer and conductor Michael Barrett from South Africa will lead a citywide choir collaboration for a concert that is a powerful celebration of community, growth and musical storytelling. PSU’s Chamber Choir, Rose Choir, and Thorn Choir are joined by a massed choir of 200 of the finest high school singers from across the Portland area, including: Grant, Lincoln, Sam Barlow, Camas, Rex, Gresham and Cleveland. Expect music that challenges and uplifts — music that reminds us how, when voices come together, our shared soil becomes something profoundly alive.

Sunday, Feb. 22
4 p.m.
Viking Pavilion

The family of Kim Allen invites the PSU community to a Celebration of Life next month. Allen, a long-time PSU employee, passed away on Jan. 20. She was the Director of the ASPSU Children’s Center. 

From Kim's family:

Kim dedicated her life to caring for children, nurturing young hearts, and creating a place where families felt safe, supported, and loved. Her impact reaches far beyond the classroom—living on in the children she guided, the families she supported, and the community she helped build.

This gathering is a time to come together, share memories, and celebrate a life rooted in compassion, patience, and unwavering devotion to others.

Saturday, March 28
1 - 3 p.m.
Hoffmann Hall

Questions? Please contact Kristie Kolesnikov, kje2@pdx.edu or 253-314-8575.

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 on both.

Scholarships can help

Remind students that there are millions of dollars in scholarships through Scholarship Universe, PSU’s primary portal for vetted internal and external scholarships. 

A guide to applying for scholarships

Financial Aid has put together a step-by-step guide to help students navigate Scholarship Universe. Please share the Scholarship Universe slideshow with students.

Student discounts for Timbers games

The Timbers Army invites college students to attend select matches this season at Providence Park. They just need to enter their .edu email address at this website to access and purchase General Admission tickets for only $20. Go Timbers!

Associate Professor of Communication Brianne Suldovsky discussed the challenges surrounding scientific discoveries — specifically extraterrestrial life — with TIME; Stephen Lee, associate professor in graphic design and LAIKA fellow, shared a behind-the-scenes look at his installation at the Winter Light Festival with KGW; and Professor of History Catherine McNeur talked with Willamette Week about finding an engaged audience on TikTok.

All week

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

Mapping Familiar Territories, Charting New Paths

Monday, February 16

Biology Seminar Series: Investigation of Rhododendron Flower Characteristics and Pollinator Biogeography

Tuesday, February 17

Women on Weights

Beginner Climb Night

Wednesday, February 18

When Voters Exit Authoritarianism Survives - Book talk by Dr. Chipo Dendere

Practicing Anthropology Workshop with Randal Wyatt

Campus Blood Drive

U.S. Rep Jamie Raskin visits PSU: Church and State, Politics and Faith

Thursday, February 19

Show & Tell Design Lecture Series Presents The __ Show

Friday, February 20

Music @ Midday: Waves of Sound: Power and Sensitivity

Black Futures Farm: Growing Cooperative Resistance

Saturday, February 21

Collage Workshop

Exhibition Tour

Men’s Basketball v. E. Washington

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

People
Jack Corbett

Presented
Nicole Rigelman

Published/Exhibited
Dustin Morrow, Shung Jae Shin

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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.