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 wins the Carter Partnership Award!

See the video Click here to see the video about PSU's winning project.
See the video Click here to see Jimmy Carter's speech.

June 3, 2008 National JRCPA winner announced by President Jimmy Carter & Mrs. Roslynn Carter in Atlanta!

Portland State University, and 112 community based organizations in Oregon, win the National-Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus Community Collaboration for the Watershed Stewardship Program. The announcement was made at the National Conference of Corporation for National & Community Service at the world Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This program has led over 27,000 community volunteers donating a quarter million hours to install 80,000 plants and restore 50 acres of watershed along two miles of river. Individual projects have been led and supported by 700 students working as part of class projects, resulting in two masterýs theses and three research articles.

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration (JRCPA) is one of the programs of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Partnership Foundation (JRCPF) and it honors one award recipient in a state where there is a program that addresses critical areas of public need undertaken by a college or university in partnership with a community group. The award is named for President and Mrs. Carter as a tribute to their lifelong efforts to develop and support safe, healthy, and caring communities throughout the world. In public office and in their daily lives, they have consistently supported public improvement efforts based on cooperation, mutual learning, and shared responsibility. More information about this program and other programs of the foundation is available at www.jrcpf.org

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration (JRCPA)

This "hallmark" program of JRCPF recognizes best practices in campus - community partnerships already in existence, in which there is shared decision making and academic integration of service. Winners will be announced in early June, and will receive the Carter Trophy, a Monetary Award and a Carter Partnership Certificate, signed by President & Mrs. Carter.

Waves of Engagement - Portland State University Wins!



See the video Click here to also see Jimmy Carter's speech.

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

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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

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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.

Read more about the CWSP award.

2008 Civic Engagement Award Winners


To showcase and celebrate the civic engagement efforts of PSU faculty, departmental, programmatic units, and community-based partners, PSUýs 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 and read about their projects.

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.