This is the final edition of Currently for 2025. Submissions for the next issue (Jan. 5, 2026) are due by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Thank you for reading!
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Student Success Open House — Thursday
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The Student Success team at Portland State is hosting an open house this week, featuring an interactive poster gallery highlighting key initiatives and accomplishments from units within Student Success. Attendees can learn about ongoing projects and engage with project teams.
This is an open house-style event — you are welcome to come and go any time during the event. While attendance is flexible, please RSVP to help with planning. The RSVP form will remain open until Wednesday.
Thursday, Dec. 11
2 - 4 p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 333
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Watch: Marketing Town Hall |
Portland State’s marketing team presented their current advertising campaign, Be Anything But Ordinary, at a Town Hall on Dec. 3. The presentation included data about what prospective students are seeking in their college search and a show-and-tell with the ads and videos produced by the university’s marketing professionals. A recording of the Town Hall and the slide deck are available on the Employee Events section of the Currently webpage or you can watch it directly on YouTube by clicking the button below.
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Submit nominations for 2026 Honorary Degrees |
Help PSU recognize individuals who have achieved exceptional accomplishments in scholarship, artistry, public service or leadership. Submit your nomination by Monday, Jan. 15, 2026. Only one nomination per person will be accepted.
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Faculty mobility grant opportunity now open |
The 2026 application cycle of the Oregon/Baden-Württemberg Faculty Mobility Grant is open now. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Arts’ Faculty Mobility Grant program is intended to help seed research collaborations between faculty in participating Oregon and Baden-Württemberg universities, strengthen relationships and expand partnership activity. The award covers travel costs for a visit of up to one week to a partner institution. Application closes Jan. 30, 2026.
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Employee tuition discount forms are due Jan. 3 |
This is a reminder that tuition discount, or “Staff Fee” forms for PSU are due two days before the start of the term. For 2026 Winter Term, this means that forms for PSU staff fee privilege tuition discounts should be uploaded on the HR uploader by end of day Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Deadlines for other Oregon universities vary — check their websites for details. Email askhrc@pdx.edu with any questions.
Happy studying!
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PSU will honor Rose Hill on Dec. 13 |
Rose Hill, the driving force behind the creation of PSU's Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC), passed away in October of this year. Hill worked at PSU for 15 years as a beloved mentor and advocate for thousands of students through Native American Student Services.
A Celebration of Life for Rose Hill is on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12-5 p.m. at the NASCC. The celebration will include a giveaway, drum ceremony, potluck lunch, remembrances and dedicated community time.
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PSU President Cudd talks semiconductors with governor, university leaders |
Last week, President Ann Cudd traveled to the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis to meet with representatives from the National Science Foundation to talk about the role PSU and other regional partners can play in creating a robust semiconductor industry in Oregon. PSU is a member of Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST), a group with 95 regional collaborators working “to catalyze semiconductor innovation and manufacturing and promote economic growth in Oregon.” FAST is a finalist for $160 million in federal funding and the NSF visit was part of the decision-making process for awarding the funds. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and State Senator Bruce Barr were also in attendance.
On her blog, President Cudd wrote about her visit and PSU’s role in supporting and expanding the state’s semiconductor industry.
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News Briefs & Announcements: |
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Portland State has partnered with Google and others to launch a statewide initiative to support early-stage founders building transformative, AI-first companies. Read about it on PSU News.
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Remember to take the PSU Sustainability Survey! Your answers help shape future programs, events and initiatives that make campus more sustainable and socially responsible.
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PSU Film professor Courtney Hermann takes the lead role at Portland's Tomorrow Theater on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. for Directing the Documentary: A Conversation with Courtney Hermann, with an evening of conversation, clips and reflection on documentary filmmaking.
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PSU Choir's holiday concert features jazz pianist Darrell Grant |
The renowned PSU Chamber Choir will perform a world premiere of Brad Hansen’s “Medley of Carols” with Darrell Grant at the piano. This joyful and uplifting music features the pianist in jazz, gospel and Latin styles, delivered with serious choral artistry. Grant’s trio will perform holiday jazz during the last half of the program. Supported by a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), this concert will benefit music scholarships.
Friday, Dec. 12
7:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Portland, 909 SW 11th Ave.
$5 - $50
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Find a buddy, get started at Campus Rec |
Are you interested in getting moving at Campus Rec but aren’t sure where to start? Do you find the Rec Center intimidating? If so, Rec Buddies is for you! Rec Buddies matches you with a Campus Rec staff member and another Rec buddy to help increase your comfort in the Rec Center. Rec Buddies will meet for 4 weeks during winter term to explore Campus Rec's various programs and services, learn what kind of movement brings you joy, build community, and more. Space is limited so submit your interest form today!
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Outdoor Program offers deal on gear rentals over break |
Celebrate winter with this amazing special from the Outdoor Program! Over our winter closure from Dec. 12 - Jan. 5, you can rent gear for 24 days for only two times the base four-day rate during the winter closure! Any additional days will be charged standard extra day fees.
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Santa is coming to University Place Hotel! |
On Thursday, Dec. 18 drop by the University Place Hotel for festive photos and a magical visit from Santa Claus himself. PSU Families are welcome from 3 – 5 p.m., followed by a special Paws & Claus hour from 5 – 6 p.m. for pets on leashes or in carriers. Create holiday memories at University Place Hotel & Conference Center, on the south end of campus at 310 SW Lincoln St.
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🐘 Portland State Magazine |
Read & Watch: When Grad School is a Zoo |
Portland State University’s biology department and the Oregon Zoo have partnered for years on a little-known graduate program that allows students to conduct hands-on research on animal wellbeing and conservation while attending classes at PSU. Few of these programs exist in the U.S. This month’s Portland State Magazine features the program, its students and instructors, and the ways it has benefited the animals in the Oregon Zoo. Be sure to also check out the behind-the-scenes video at the zoo!
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Eric Hall, assistant professor of epidemiology, explained new research on OPB’s Think Out Loud that details the economic and human cost of delaying the infant Hepititis B vaccine; Consumers learned a bit more about the role of tariffs, inflation and other economic trends on shopping during Black Friday thanks to Professor of Economics Rajiv Sharma and his conversations with KGW and the Oregonian; and President Ann Cudd shared her thoughts on leadership and problem solving with the Portland Business Journal.
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🌟 Student Recognition for Fall 2025 |
Students across disciplines are earning recognition for the work they’ve produced here at PSU — from conference presentations and published research to awards that highlight the strength of their scholarship and creativity. Their achievements reflect the mentorship, guidance and opportunities provided by our faculty and staff, and they demonstrate the meaningful impact of PSU’s academic and research environment.
At the end of each term, students who have recently published, presented or been honored for their work are recognized in Currently. See the full list.
To submit a student for recognition in Winter 2026, email currently@pdx.edu.
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People
Jack Corbett, Sandra Freels, Shirley A. Jackson, Amy Parker
Published/Exhibited
Talya Bauer, Berrin Erdogan, Sandra Freels, Stan Heister, Jon Holt, Chia Yin Hsu, John Nimmo, Will Parnell, Amy Parker, Sue Taylor, Donald Truxillo
Presented
Kathleen P. Conte, Berrin Erdogan, Tom Gillpatrick, Sally Guyon, Stanton Heister, Susan Kirtley, Will Parnell
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Quick Reminders for Sharing in Currently |
Opportunities, News & Events: 80–120 words | Horizontal image (600×400 px, no fliers, no QR codes) | Include a webpage link for more information (no direct Zoom links)
Submissions should be: sponsored, hosted, or co-hosted by PSU, open to faculty and/or staff and of interest to PSU faculty and staff.
Accolades general format: [Full Name], [department or school] faculty, [presented/gave a talk/co-published etc.] [title of work, presentation, project etc. in title case] at [conference/event/organization name] in [city, state or country], on [date].
Deadline: Submit by noon on Tuesday before publication.
See the Currently Publication Schedule for more detailed deadlines and dates. Full submission guidelines found here.
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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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