November 17, 2025

At last week’s Student Success Town Hall, PSU’s Student Success team shared national and campus data on student persistence and graduation rates, highlighting the strong foundation PSU has built over the years to support student success. The presentation included insights from the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) at Georgia State University, whose recent evaluation recognized PSU’s progress and identified opportunities for continued improvement. A robust Q&A showed how deeply our campus community cares about helping students thrive.

The next Town Hall is on Wednesday, Dec. 3, where the marketing and creative team from University Communications will present about the university’s regional marketing campaign, Be Anything But Ordinary.

An email last week incorrectly listed the date that time sheets for November are due - the correct date is Tuesday, Nov. 18 (tomorrow!). The payroll processing schedule this month is exceptionally tight due to Veterans Day and the pay day being before the Thanksgiving holiday. Late submission or approval of pay-related documents may delay November pay.

Need help? Submit questions to payroll@pdx.edu and they will get back to you ASAP!

These deadlines also apply to Virtual Viking, PSU's weekly e-newsletter for students

Join PSU’s Office of Global Engagement & Innovation this week in celebrating the power of international education and exchange! Throughout the week, faculty, students and staff are invited to participate in events, workshops and activities that highlight global learning and cross-cultural engagement.

International Education Week (IEW) is a chance to connect our campus community through shared experiences, ideas and perspectives that extend beyond borders. Help spread the word and encourage students to attend the Education Abroad Fair on Wednesday and other events across campus.

Questions? Contact edabroad@pdx.edu

Join PSU President Ann Cudd for this week’s Move with the President event—your chance to connect, get active and enjoy PSU’s new community hour!

Move with the President (5K Run)
Wednesday, Nov. 19
12:45pm
Meet in Richard & Maurine Neuberger Center (RMNC) Lobby 
10 min per mile pace

Get outdoors over the Fall holidays thanks to the Outdoor Program's Thanksgiving Break Rental Special! Rent gear for six days for the price of four from Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 1. Any additional days will be charged standard extra day fees. This is a great opportunity to explore the outdoors without breaking the bank during the Thanksgiving break!

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) at PSU and Campus Rec are collaborating to bring you Yoga at the Museum! Practice gentle yoga in a beautiful, art-filled setting. You don't want to miss this opportunity! Space is limited, register to save your spot now.

Wednesday, Nov. 19
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
JSMA (Fariborz Maseeh Hall- FMH 110)

Celebrate the end of fall term and relieve some stress with a classic game of dodgeball. Eight teams of five players will compete in this tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Each team will play a few warm-up games before the single-elimination tournament begins. Free and open to all PSU faculty/staff. No Campus Rec membership required. Register as a team or a free agent by 5 p.m. on Dec. 3. 

Celebrate the season by supporting PSU alumni! Discover curated lists of locally crafted and unique gifts with the Viking Made Holiday Gift Guide. Explore the guide to find gifts for foodies, trendsetters, homebodies and more — plus exclusive discounts for the PSU community.

Portland State University is launching a new Community of Practice (CoP) for teaching faculty who want to rethink assessment in ways that support equity, student well-being and deeper learning. Eligible participants who complete the program requirements, including attendance at four of the five meetings, will receive $750 in compensation for the 24 hours of work. Together, we will develop sustainable practices that meet the needs of both students and faculty. Please click below to review the information and submit your application by Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Are you a faculty member interested in proposing a class to be considered for the Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) for Fall 2026? Interested in learning more about the RESR? Please join the RESR Committee of the Faculty Senate for more information about RESR courses and the launch of the new submission form on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. This will be a remote event: Zoom link.

Questions? Email RESR@pdx.edu

FAFSA workshops this week

The Financial Wellness Center has two upcoming FAFSA workshops: Tuesday, Nov. 18 and Friday, Nov. 21. Please share the sign up link with students.

SHAC offers free mental health check-ups

Please let PSU students know that they can receive free mental health check-ups on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Smith Memorial Student Union 294. Students can take a 10–15 minute mental health checkup, review results with a SHAC counselor, and enter a raffle for Mind Spa perks and Squishmallows.

Help empower PSU students to innovate!

The Cleantech Challenge and Everyday Entrepreneur programs through the Center for Entrepreneurship offer PSU students and recent graduates transformative experiences to turn their ideas into action. The deadline has been extended, so please help with a last-minute push for your winter-term students!

Cleantech Challenge: Focused on solving environmental and social issues, participants receive mentorship, a $1,000 development grant, and compete for $3,000 in prizes.

Everyday Entrepreneur: A 10-week program to build business skills, develop a pitch, and win cash prizes.

Our programming is free and open to all students! The application deadline is Nov. 26.

Registration links:

Cleantech Challenge
Everyday Entrepreneur

Ethan Sharygin, director of the Population Research Center, discussed the challenges of school enrollment data with OPB; Adjunct Assistant Professor of English Matthew Ellis, talked about how to handle tough conversations about the Rose City at the dinner table with Willamette Week; and Rajiv Sharma, professor of economics, explained the impacts of expiring health insurance tax credits on aging populations to Connecticut Public Radio.

All week

Public Agency of Travel Planning for the Overwhelmed

Roots & Routes: International Student Photo Exhibition

International Education Week: Taste the World at Victor's

Snap Your Free Passport or Headshot during International Education Week

Storywork: The Prints of Marie Watt, from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation

Deinum Prize Showcase Exhibition: Missing Everglades of the West

Monday, Nov. 17

From Contextual Integrity to Contextual Flexibility? On the Evolution of Ubiquitous AI

Biology Seminar Series: Regeneration of Biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest Old-growth Forests

"Grief Stick" Screening

Men's Basketball v. Bakersfield

Tuesday, Nov. 18

"Research and International Collaboration" - A Primer on Hosting an International Scholar at PSU

Reimagining the Portland Art Museum

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Mathematics Honors Project Presentation

Relationships Across Cultures - Panel Discussion

Jazz Voice at PSU Presents Women in Jazz Poster Session & Concert

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Everybody - Community Night

Thursday, Nov. 20

Show & Tell Design Series Presents Secret Room

Sees Geography 2025 Seminar Series: Dr. Sameer Shah

The Things She Carried: A Cultural History of the Purse in America with Kathleen Casey

Carmina Burana: The Oregon Symphony Joined by PSU Chamber, Rose, and Thorn Choirs

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Everybody

PSU Theater Arts Impro Ensemble Presents Post-Show Unscripted

Friday, Nov. 21

Music @ Midday: European and Mexican Piano Repertoire with Guest Melissa Terrall

Maseeh Mathematics and Statistics Colloquium Series

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Everybody

Saturday, Nov. 22

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Everybody

Carmina Burana: The Oregon Symphony Joined by PSU Chamber, Rose, and Thorn Choirs

Sunday, Nov. 23

Carmina Burana: The Oregon Symphony Joined by PSU Chamber, Rose, and Thorn Choirs

PSU Percussion Ensemble Presents: Ionisation

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

People

Doug Deur, Cynthia Carmina Gomez, Max Nielsen-Pincus, Jenn Reed, Gabe Sheoships, Gabe Urza

Published/Exhibited

Kate Comer, Tugrul Daim, James Grehan, Meiru Liu, John Ott, Sue Taylor

Presented

Paula Carder, Walt Dawson, Sarah Dys, Sherril Gelmon, Jackie Kohon, Lindsey Smith, Allyson Stodola, Marisa Westbrook

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.