Portland State University (USA)

As part of the Oregon University System, Portland State University’s vision is to enhance recognition of the value of higher education by continually strengthening the metropolitan environment and utilizing that strength for its own growth toward standards of excellence in accessible high quality research, teaching and outreach programs. PSU’s website>>

International and Community Partnerships

Comprehensive universities in the 21st century interact in a global environment. Over 7,800 Portland State students, faculty and staff annually engage in community-university partnerships through academic courses, research and other service efforts worldwide. These partnership activities demonstrate Portland State’s commitment to “let knowledge serve” our local, regional and world communities by practicing, testing and applying theories to address compelling social issues. Read more>>

Community-Based Learning

PSU offers more than 400 community-based learning courses across all academic disciplines, engaging over 400 community organizations in a wide variety of partnerships designed to apply scholarly learning to salient community issues. PSU faculty and students work with community partners in order to expand and apply teaching and research methods that emphasize the relevance of course content. Read more>>

Student Leaders for Service (SLS)

SLS is rooted in PSU’s commitment to community outreach and engagement. SLS provides students with opportunities to significantly address issues in the surrounding communities while simultaneously preparing future civic leaders. Through this program, 25 students make a commitment to serve ten hours a week during the academic year at a local organization where they provide direct service to address community needs. Students act as liaisons between the university and the community, connecting institutional resources to partner organizations in an effort to build their capacity. Since 1999, over 6,000 SLS volunteers have provided 82,000 hours of service, to 88 projects to the Portland community. Over 125 faculty and staff have also participated in SLS programming. In recent years, SLS has diversified its activities to include global projects at the American University in Cairo and the University of Science in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Learn more>>