PIAA Convening | Portland State University

Community Convening

for Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, Asians, and Asian Americans

Portland State University, in partnership with Rise Up Solutions, gathered Pacific Islander, Asian, and Asian American community leaders and members to cultivate and strengthen a renewed relationship, and determine how we may support the future and thriving of the incredibly diverse Pacific Islander and Asian American community.

Through the centering of community members' voices, we hoped to:

Engage authentically with the diverse PIAA community.
Strengthen a reciprocal campus community relationship.
Honor the assets, labor, and collective wisdom of the PIAA community in Oregon.
Identify opportunities for PSU staff, faculty, and students to come alongside the community’s vision for a thriving future.

Convening Report

The PIAA Convening Report contains a detailed recap and analysis of the discussions and insights from the convening, and presents recommendations of action steps PSU can take in partnership with PIAA communities.

Read the Report

The Convening for a Thriving Future for our Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Asian American Community

Saturday, October 1, 2022
9:30 - 3:00 PM
Native American Student and Community Center
710 SW Jackson St

We are pleased to offer childcare services during this event to better support our community parents.

Please Note: This event is entirely in-person. Please know we are very concerned about your health, and are following all current public health guidance. We encourage participants to wear a mask, and tables/seating will be spread out to allow for social distancing. Visit PSU's COVID-19 Response website for more information.

We are pleased to offer a $100 gift card to each person who registers for, and attends, this convening. You may claim your gift card when completing the event registration form. Limited to first 75 registrants.

Event Program

Event Slideshow

Evaluation Form

This in-person convening is part of a series of conversions with the different BIPOC communities as stated in the Time to Act: The PSU Equity & Racial Justice Plan. As result of these conversations, Portland State University is seeking to discover the priorities and opportunities of our BIPOC communities and where those opportunities intersect with the assets and mission of the university and its partners. In the fall, an open macro BIPOC event will present the unique themes from each conversation, as well as the themes across communities. Allies and agents of change are invited to this macro fall event to partner with our communities, Portland State University, and other critical stakeholders to advance efforts that will ensure the thriving of our communities.

In Partnership with

AAPI Student Success Reports

PSU Task Force on AAAPI Student Success

In Spring 2016, the President’s Task Force on Asian-American, Asian, and Pacific Islander Student Success to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for PSU in continuing to serve the broad range and diversity of AAAPI students. Read the report to see the task force's recommendations.

2021 AAPI Presidential Fellows Report

This report presents three priority actions that Portland State can take towards fulfilling its commitment to ensuring that all of their students, including those who identify as AAPI, have the opportunity and support they need to experience the transformative power of a college education. Read the report for more info.

President's Task Force Report

Presidential Fellows Report

Community Updates

PIAA Student Center

The PIAAA Student Center at Portland State University offers an engaging and accepting space to address the diverse and changing needs of our Asian and Pacific Islander student communities.

EMPOWER Scholars Program

EMPOWER Scholars Program is a support program designed for first-generation, Asian, and Pacific Islander identifying students (both transfer and freshman standing) entering Portland State University for the first time.

PUSH FOR PACIFIC ISLANDER AND ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES AT PSU MAKES GAINS

Read about the people and principles behind the push for establishing a Pacific Islander and Asian American Studies academic program at Portland State.

API Employee Resource Group

The PSU Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG) provides an inclusive space to advocate for the diverse needs of PSU API faculty, staff, students and alumni.

AANAPISI Task Force

The AANAPISI Task Force's goal is to apply for the AANAPISI designation to expand PSU’s capacity to serve Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Relevant Time to Act Initiatives: Leadership and Infrastructure

Initiative 4: Center BIPOC voices and needs

BIPOC communities must have the agency and the space to design their future and the future of their communities. Too often, minoritized communities are cut o! from the decision making tables, the resources, the relationships, networks, and the power required for true change. PSU will create structures that intentionally seek to disrupt this practice.

Primary Executive Champion: PSU President; Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion

Critical Stakeholders: Affinity Groups; Diversity and Multicultural Student Services; Provost; Vice President RGS; Deans Council; School of Gender, Race & Nations.

Primary Objectives: For empowered BIPOC communities to design their futures with access to critical resources to make the future reality.

Initiative 5: Embed racial equity in community engagement activities

Ensure that the university’s mission to let knowledge serve and the presidential priority of racial justice and equity are fully integrated.

Primary Executive Champion: VP University Relations

Critical Stakeholders: VP Research & Graduate Studies; Dean CUPA; Director of Community & Civic Impact, VP GDI

Primary Objectives: Mutually beneficial and uplifting relationships between the institution and the BIPOC community. BIPOC Communities view PSU as an authentic anchor institutional and partner.

Acting on Equity and Racial Justice

Portland State is accelerating its efforts to combat racism and advance social justice across our campus with dogged determination and long-term commitment. Here's what's being done.

Learn More