Vision, Mission and Values
Our Purpose
Let knowledge Serve the City
Portland State University, Oregon’s most diverse and only urban public research university, was founded in 1946 to serve veterans returning from World War II.
PSU provides access to a top-tier education as a key driver of economic and social mobility, a source of growth for the diverse communities in the region, and a catalyst for social progress. And this isn't just what we do – it’s who we are.
Much has changed in our world since 1946, and our communities face profound challenges. With Our Future in Focus, we express our unwavering purpose: to support learners to follow their dreams and achieve their goals for a better life for their families and communities.
As we remember our institutional founding with pride, we embrace our future as an urban minority-serving research institution, inspiring each other to create new opportunities for our region and our world.
Guiding Commitments
Welcoming and Supporting All Learners
We commit to nurturing and championing a diverse and dynamic community of learners seeking to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of their families and communities through excellent, responsive teaching and comprehensive, culturally-affirming student services.
Providing Equitable Access to Quality Education
We commit to offering students accessible pathways to high-impact learning experiences, degrees, and credentials for meaningful careers, social and economic mobility, and thriving into the future.
Building a Community Ethos of Care and Well-Being
We commit to establishing, nourishing, and maintaining an ethos of connection, care, and well-being for and among our campus community, including students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, and trustees.
Co-creating the Future of Our Region
We commit to working collaboratively through trust-based, reciprocal, equitable partnerships to make life better for the individuals and communities in our region through community-engaged learning, teaching, research, and service.
Modeling Responsible Stewardship
We commit to carefully managing our financial, natural, and cultural resources to achieve our aspirations and continue our important work for our students and communities long into the future.
Engaged with the community
With more than 22,000 students, Portland State University is a nationally recognized leader in community engagement, combining academic rigor in the classroom with community-based learning.
While students from across the country and around the world come to Portland State, close to 80% of students are from Oregon and most will stay in the state after graduation. They choose Portland State because its urban setting and ties to businesses and service organizations make it a living laboratory that prepares tomorrow’s leaders with the experience they need to succeed.
Portland State serves and sustains the region, the state of Oregon, and the nation through access to education, applied research and boundless creativity.
Distinguished Programs and Faculty
Many of Portland State’s disciplinary programs are highly ranked in the United States, and the Princeton Review lists PSU among its Best Colleges.
The innovative University Studies program, a four-year general education program which promotes community-based, interdisciplinary learning, and engagement with real-world problems, has established Portland State as a national model for other colleges and universities.
The University Honors College is the only urban-focused honors college in the country. Here, a small, dedicated community of highly motivated students and engaged professors explore an academically intense curriculum through the lens of the culturally rich, ever-evolving city of Portland.
Portland State professors are prized for their knowledge, research and service. Faculty come to Portland State from colleges and universities around the world. Though diverse in culture, background, language, and ethnicity, they come to Portland unified in their commitment to the University’s exceptional approach to learning and engagement.
PSU’s motto, “Let knowledge serve the city,” inspires faculty research. PSU professors research some of society’s greatest challenges—providing students with firsthand knowledge and opportunities for involvement and collaboration in their communities. Faculty use their expertise to serve the region through their work with businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies and by holding key posts in professional, cultural, and civic groups.
Portland: The community is our campus.
Portland State University’s vibrant location in the middle of a major city guarantees students are always steps from excitement and action. Parks, museums, cafes, theaters, shopping, acclaimed restaurants, and professional sports are all easily accessible.
Established in 1946 to meet the educational needs of GIs home from World War II battlefields, Portland State found its first home in Vanport, a former community along the Columbia River. Following the tragic Vanport Flood, the campus moved to Lincoln Hall in Portland’s South Park Blocks in 1952 and now stretches across 44 downtown acres, retaining a park-like beauty within its urban setting.
Students and faculty often gather in the Park Blocks to talk or study. PSU’s Urban Center is home to the busiest public transportation hub in the city. It’s the only location in the city where TriMet’s bus system, Portland Streetcar, and the MAX light rail line come together. Hundreds of students get to campus under their own power, commuting by foot or bicycle along Portland’s pedestrian and bike-friendly streets.
With urban sophistication, small-town accessibility, and many outdoor activities, Portland and Portland State offer a great living and learning experience.
Sustainability: It's what we do.
For more than a decade, Portland State has maintained a Gold rating in the rigorous Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), standing out for its environmental practices, progress on climate adaptation, and sustainability-focused education.
The Portland State campus itself is a model for sustainability; each new building or major renovation on campus since 2004 has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Portland State students can take sustainability lessons beyond the classroom, engaging directly with the community and businesses to solve real-world problems and achieve further sustainability at the local and regional levels through internships, co-ops and other opportunities. Portland State strives to harness the strengths of the university to move closer to solving the environmental, social, and economic problems of our time.
Faculty and students perform valuable research and developing solutions to address issues related to homelessness, climate change, public health, and urbanization. Students in departments across campus consider issues that integrate economic, social, and environmental viewpoints. Armed with this knowledge and experience, and a strong sense of ethical leadership, they will lead the next generation in building a more equitable, livable, resilient world.
Research & Graduate Studies
As Oregon’s urban research university, Portland State University (PSU) embraces a mission that centers on making a tangible difference in the lives of people in Portland and beyond. Research at PSU is driven by a commitment to public impact—our faculty, students, and staff engage in research that not only advances knowledge but also addresses the most pressing challenges facing our communities.
PSU’s location in the heart of Portland uniquely positions our researchers to respond directly to real-world issues. Whether advancing housing policy, tackling addiction and mental health crises, exploring climate resilience, or supporting economic revitalization, PSU’s research is inextricably linked to the urban landscape we call home. Our motto, “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” is not just aspirational—it is a guiding principle that defines the work we do.
PSU faculty include internationally recognized researchers in engineering, physical and natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Their interdisciplinary projects reflect PSU’s collaborative ethos and its dedication to research with direct and sustained impact. Across all disciplines, our scholars co-create knowledge with public, private, and nonprofit partners to generate solutions that lift communities, reduce inequities, and support sustainable growth.
Students—undergraduate and graduate—are not only learners at PSU, but also active contributors to our research mission. From laboratory-based discovery to community-engaged projects, students work alongside faculty on initiatives that matter. PSU’s research environment empowers students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship through Propel PSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Intellectual Property Office, and the Portland State Business Accelerator.
Graduate education at PSU integrates rigorous scholarship with applied experience, preparing students to lead in sectors where research and service intersect. Through research assistantships, fellowships, and traineeships, students gain firsthand experience conducting public impact research that drives progress in fields such as early childhood education, biochemistry, transportation, and public health.
PSU’s research portfolio is expansive and inclusive, encompassing breakthrough discoveries in areas such as climate science, disease treatment, and planetary science, alongside equally vital work in urban planning, arts-based community revitalization, and environmental justice. Our University Research Centers serve as engines for innovation, tackling systemic issues through cross-sector partnerships. From homelessness to economic recovery, PSU’s researchers are helping shape policies and practices that benefit not just Portland but the region and nation.
At Portland State University, research is more than an academic pursuit—it is a civic responsibility and a strategic lever for change. We invite you to join us in this mission to serve our city, state, and society through public impact research that turns knowledge into action.
The Founding of Portland State University
Portland State University’s roots trace back to the summer of 1946 when the Oregon State Board of Higher Education approved the opening of a temporary school in North Portland to offer lower-division coursework. Vanport Extension Center (VEC), named for its location between Portland and Vancouver, was situated in Vanport City, a wartime housing project that promised resident and classroom space for the students attending VEC. Spearheaded by founder and director, Stephen Epler, VEC soon became known as “Vanport College” and was immediately successful in meeting local demands for higher education by returning World War II servicemen and women. When fall term registration closed at VEC, more than 1,400 students enrolled, eclipsing the projection of 500 and signaling future success for the center.
Seemingly ending VEC’s future, the 1948 Memorial Day flood of the Columbia River destroyed Vanport City, including the center. Epler and his colleagues kept the school alive, using federal funds to reinstate the campus at “Oregon Ship,” a former Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation site. The school’s commitment and fighting spirit earned it the national reputation as “the college that would not die.” Students, faculty, community groups, and legislators were strong advocates for the school, spurring its permanence and move in 1952 to its present location in Portland’s South Park Blocks, where it became the Portland State Extension Center in the former Lincoln High School (now Lincoln Hall).
In 1955, the legislature created Portland State College as a four-year degree-granting institution. Graduate work was added in 1961; doctoral programs began in 1968, and the institution became Portland State University in 1969. The University has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,410 students in 1946 to become one of Oregon’s largest universities.
“Portland State formed a legacy of courage, leadership, dedication, and collaboration during its founding years, 1946-1955. These qualities enabled a small extension center to become a four-year, degree-granting college. Today this legacy inspires Portland State University to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic vitality of Portland, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.”1
The Founder and presidents who have served the University are:
- Stephen E. Epler (Vanport Extension Center), 1946 to 1952;
- John F. Cramer, 1955 to 1958;
- Branford P. Millar, 1959 to 1968;
- Gregory B. Wolfe, 1968 to 1974;
- Joseph C. Blumel, 1974 to 1986;
- Natale A. Sicuro, 1986 to 1988;
- Roger N. Edgington (interim president), 1988 to 1990;
- Judith A. Ramaley, 1990 to 1997;
- Daniel O. Bernstine, 1997 to 2007;
- Michael F. Reardon (interim president), 2007 to 2008;
- Wim Wiewel, 2008 to 2017;
- Rahmat Shoureshi, 2017 to 2019
- Stephen Percy, (interim president 2019 to 2020) appointed president 2020 to 2023; and
- Ann E. Cudd, 2023 to present.
1From Creating Portland State: 1946-1955.
Accreditation
Portland State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding an institution's accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on College and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558-4224
www.nwccu.org
In the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
In the College of the Arts; the School of Music & Theater’s bachelor’s and master’s programs are accredited by the
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Theater programs are accredited by the
National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST). The Master of Architecture degree in the School of Architecture is accredited by the
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
In the College of Urban and Public Affairs; the Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree is accredited by the
Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). The Master of Public Administration and the Executive Master of Public Administration are accredited by the
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The Master of Public Administration – Health Administration is accredited by the
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
In the College of Education; the P-12 educator preparation programs underwent both state and national accreditation review in 2023 through
Oregon's Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and
Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and are accredited for seven years with a follow-up visit scheduled for 2030. The counselor education programs are accredited by the
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Helen Gordon Child Development Center is accredited by the
National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
In the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, the undergraduate engineering and computer science degrees are accredited as follows: Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering) - accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,
https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria. Bachelor of Science (Environmental Engineering) - accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,
https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria. Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) - accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET,
https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Program Criteria. Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) - accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,
https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria. Bachelor of Science (Computer Engineering) - accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,
https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria. Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) - accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,
https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria.
In the School of Business; the undergraduate and graduate business programs as well as the accounting program are accredited by
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
In the School of Public Health; the undergraduate programs in Applied Health and Fitness, and Public Health Studies, the Master of Public Health degrees, the Master of Science in Biostatistics, and the Ph.D. programs in Community Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems and Policy are all accredited by the
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The Health Management & Policy MPH is also accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
In the School of Social Work; both the bachelor’s and the master’s programs are accredited by the
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Child, Youth, & Family Studies certificate program is accredited by the
National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).