About Us

Mission 

To provide robust and varied co-curricular opportunities for all students at Portland State to engage with the community and become catalysts for change.

Vision

Students are empowered to engage with communities to create positive social change.

Values

Mobilizing engagement: Providing multiple access points for students at Portland State to get involved in service. This is demonstrated by:

  • Different lengths of engagement opportunities ranging from singular days of service to yearlong leadership programs. (See "Service Programs and Events" above.)
  • Becoming a "resource hub" for co-curricular community service.

Reciprocal Partnerships: Fostering meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships between Portland State and community organizations as well as interdepartmental partnerships. This is demonstrated by:

  • Over 10 year-long intensive community partnerships.
  • Development of collaborative programming with multiple departments at Portland State

Social Justice and Equity: Acknowledging the dignity of every human being and framing our work to deconstruct oppression in order to build a more just and equitable society. This is demonstrated by: 

  • All community-based volunteering and learning experiences rooted in a social justice framework.
  • Two intensive leadership programs with curriculum founded on social justice and equity.
  • Training and leadership development of office staff.

Developing and Empowering Students: Equipping students with skills and knowledge to become effective changemakers in their communities. This is demonstrated by:

  • Providing a variety of avenues for students to get involved with their communities that can often build on one another to encourage growth and development.
  • Anchoring service experiences with learning.
  • Training and leadership development of office staff.
SALP logo featuring a green block arrow pointing right with the letters "SALP" on it and "Student Activities & Leadership Programs" on the right.

The Student Community Engagement Center is housed within Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP) at Portland State University.