Portland State University, in collaboration with metro area PK-12 school districts and the community, seeks to dramatically improve student success – preparing every child for higher education or training, and entry into the workforce along a Cradle to Career continuum.

SUCCESS (Schools, Universities, and Communities Committed to Educational Success for all Students) is the PSU initiative that seeks to bring faculty and staff together to look at ways to successfully partner across campus and out into the community. Our collaborative approach to exchange knowledge and resources will mutually benefit students, faculty, and the community; learning through scholarship and research that is globally relevant and regionally focused. 

SUCCESS addresses three areas of emphasis:

1. Collective Impact Initiative: PSU seeks to use our resources to help the community create a broad collective impact on the success of every child in our community.  The Cradle-to-Career partnership between PSU and All Hands Raised in Multnomah County is one of seven national demonstration projects in the Strive Every Child Cradle-to-Career Network. Read the 2010 report.
2. Portland Metro Education Partnership: PSU works with other universities and local school districts to create a more seamless and effective system for educator preparation and professional development. Currently, connections are made around teacher recruitment, preparation, and ongoing professional development ensuring that universities and K–12 schools share in these three activities. Ultimately, we seek to create a more efficient, effective and seamless system through authentic, sustained, and productive collaboration between K–12 public schools and schools of education.
3. Student Success at PSU: PSU strives to increase the retention and graduation rates of all PSU students by maintaining student support systems for first-generation, low-income, students of color, and students who are historically underrepresented. A Native American Center opened in 2002, and a new Latino student support center opened in June 2011. The university has increased the number of undergraduate advisors, updated orientation, provided bilingual admission counseling, and implemented placement tools to identify at-risk students.