Launch Your Engineering & Computer Science Career at PSU

One of the Top Colleges in the Nation for Indigenous Students
- AISES Winds of Change

Through community, programs, services, and initiatives, Portland State seeks to create a welcoming and supportive campus atmosphere for our Indigenous, Native American, First Nations, and Alaska Native students.

At the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, you'll be at the heart of an intellectually-challenging, personally rewarding, and purposefully inclusive environment, connected to Portland’s “silicon forest,” a nexus of growing, innovative industries and agencies.

Through our many support programs, specifically designed for Indigenous, Native American, First Nations, and Alaska Native students and our academic programs, you will graduate PSU prepared for competitive jobs in growing industries like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart grids, and green energy. You can participate in research, community-based learning projects, student groups, internship programs, networking events, and other opportunities to enhance your education experience, and our Career Center is dedicated to helping you land the job of your dreams.

Our students are in demand in the Portland job market and beyond, and they report the highest annual earnings of all PSU graduates one year after graduation. A thriving network of over 15,000 alumni is changing the world in 44 countries and all 50 states.

The Maseeh College Supports Your Success

The Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science and PSU provide a suite of resources to ensure your success, from scholarships and tuition discounts to retention programs, from dedicated academic advising and tutoring to support finding paid internships and jobs.

We offer a variety of opportunities for Native students to build community, get academic and personal support, and apply for scholarships.

SPARK Cohort Program: Designed to nurture your talents, promote inclusivity, and provide transformative experiences that propel you toward your professional and personal goals.
NATIONS Scholars Program: A one-year support and mentor program for first-generation, low-income, first-time students who will be starting at PSU in the fall. The program focuses on the Native American/Alaskan Native student experience and culture.
DISC (Diverse Internships for Semiconductor Careers): Internship experiences in the local semiconductor industry.
EAGLES Program: A scholarship program designed to guide and support scholars through their academic journey. Scholars receive financial assistance, advising, mentoring, and research opportunities to achieve graduation.
Ignite Scholarship & Mentorship Program: Support and community for students in their pursuit of healthcare careers.
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP): Provides research experiences and community for students in STEM majors from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
McNair Scholars Program: Provides mentored research opportunities for undergraduates who plan to pursue graduate study.
EWX (all majors besides Computer Science): Structured internship program for undergraduate students in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), Mechanical Engineering (MME) and Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE).
PCECP (Computer Science Majors): 2-year cooperative educational program in which Computer Science students work 20 hours per week at one of our local PCEP Partner companies in a series of defined internship roles.
URISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement): Recruit, train, and mentor students from historically underrepresented groups to continue biomedical research training and pursue advanced education, research training, and a research career in a biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical, or translational field.
URMP (Undergraduate Research & Mentoring Program): Funded summer undergraduate research for Maseeh College students.

Paying for College

We offer the Native American Tuition Program (in-state tuition) for Enrolled Members of Tribes with Ties to Oregon, Native American or Alaska Native Oregon High School Graduates, and enrolled members of one of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon. The state of Oregon offers the Oregon Tribal Student Grant which covers the cost of attendance for eligible students.

CyberPDX: A CYBERSECURITY CAMP FOR NATIVE & INDIGENOUS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

CyberPDX is a free 5-day residential summer STEAM camp at Portland State University designed to introduce Native American and Indigenous high school students to cybersecurity skills, principles, policies, and careers through an interactive STEAM curriculum and career exposure.

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Our Programs

Civil Engineering

Work toward a career planning, designing, operating and constructing the infrastructure in our communities such as transportation, water and wastewater systems, energy systems, buildings, bridges, and dams.

Computer Engineering

Learn all branches of the digital electronics and computer industry. This includes embedded systems, computer architecture, robotics, and machine learning among other areas.

Computer Science

Gain skills in problem-solving with a creative lens and get industry experience while working on projects directly with local software companies during our two-term senior capstone course.

Electrical Engineering

You will gain the skills necessary for employment in the electrical engineering field including power systems, electromagnetics, and acoustics, signal processing, analog/radio frequency design, digital/very-large-scale integration, among other areas.

Environmental Engineering

Study energy systems, water distribution systems, and infrastructure that support sustainability. You will learn practices that create a healthier and longer lasting world, such as mitigation and clean-up strategies for drinking water and wastewater.

Mechanical Engineering

You’ll learn how to design, build, test, and develop mechanical systems and devices. Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of physics, math, and material science to create reliable and efficient machines and systems.

Building Community at PSU

American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES)

Students are most successful when they have a network of other Native students, as well as professionals who can provide ongoing support while they are pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies. AISES provides exactly this critically needed support through its programming.

Northwest Environmental Justice Center

The Northwest Environmental Justice Center provides frontline communities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington with free, direct technical assistance, training, cohort learning and leadership development, ethical storytelling, systems change and accountability.

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an inclusive national organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.

Pacific Islanders Club

The Pacific Islanders Club organizes cultural and social events to enhance the campus experience and education of PSU and Pacific Islander students, and provides a safe space that fosters a sense of belonging. The annual lū’au is the club's premier event of the year.

United Indigenous Students in Higher Education (UISHE)

Our mission is to promote native and tribal cultures, education, healthy lifestyles, and the promotion of native self-determination. We strive to help students maintain their individual traditional indigenous customs and achieve success in higher education. We also provide a base for cultural education to the non-Native community.

Institute for Tribal Government

The Institute for Tribal Government serves elected tribal governments from across the nation and also provides training to local, state and federal government agencies and others who are interested in learning about tribal government.

Events & Gatherings

Annual Naimuma Pow Wow
Salmon Bake
Indigenous People’s Day
Honor Day Graduation Ceremony
Changing Currents Youth Tribal Water Summit

Native American Student & Community Center Entrance

Native American Student and Community Center (NASCC)

NASCC is a gathering space to celebrate and empower student success through culturally relevant programming, academic support, and intergenerational community engagement.

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Vernier Science Center (VSC)

Indigenous sciences at PSU will soon be centered in PSU’s new undergraduate science building with a First Foods Kitchen Classroom, an Indigenous Library, and gathering area that supports an expanded curriculum and practice of Indigenous Traditional Ecological & Cultural Knowledge (ITECK).

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Oak Savanna and ITECK Center

Students and faculty have been tending the five-acre land and reclaiming it for food, medicine and ceremony. The ITECK Center, once renovated, will include community space, an indoor/outdoor kitchen and an Indigenous library for tools and other items of cultural significance.

OAK Savannah & ITECK Center