Portland State Center for Academic Excellence

Community-University Partnerships

"My vision is of a university so thoroughly engaged with its community...that people throughout the region refer to it as 'our university'."

PSU President Daniel O. Bernstine

In keeping with the Portland State University (PSU) motto Let Knowledge Serve the City, Community-University Partnerships marshals support for over 400 faculty, 7,800 students, and 1,000 community partners via community-based learning (CBL) and other civic engagement initiatives to address specific and compelling issues locally, regionally and worldwide.

In his "Letter from the Director", Kevin Kecskes introduces strategies and partnerships involving PSU and the Portland metropolitan region and beyond.

PSU lauded in 2008 U.S News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges"

For the sixth year in a row, Portland State University's community-based learning curriculumm is among the best in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. Portland State is ranked among the top public institutions nationally under the section "Choosing a School: Programs to Look for" in four categories: Service-Learning, Learning Communities, First-year Experience, and Senior Capstone.

View the rankings and explore programs.

PSU-Portland Partnership Wins Regional Recognition

The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP), a partnership between Portland State University and City of Portland Portland Bureau of Environmental, was awarded the western regional winner of the C. Peter Magrath/W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award, a new national designation for outstanding community-university outreach and engagement.

2007 Civic Engagement Award Winners

To showcase and celebrate the civic engagement efforts of PSU faculty, departmental, programmatic units, and community-based partners, PSU’s Center for Academic Excellence recognizes exemplary civic engagement efforts. These awards acknowledge the importance of civic engagement in all facets of university life.

View the award winners.

American Democracy Project 2005 National Conference

Portland State was recently featured as a leading institution for civic engagement and community-based learning at the 2nd Annual American Democracy Project National Conference.

View statements and presentations from the conference.

Publication Opportunity: Civic Education

This publication will be an addition to a growing body of literature that focuses on strategies that can be used inside traditional classrooms and in community-based applied settings that help to develop civic knowledge, skills, and attitudes among students. This publication grows out of a significant effort undertaken by faculty and staff in higher education institutions throughout Oregon.

View full proposal information.