Hi, Portland State

Hi, PSU Community! It’s so good to see you. It’s time to return to a campus full of people who support you in a city that inspires you. We know it's still a time of high anxiety, but PSU has put the work into making our campus a healthy environment. Let's say good-bye to isolation and hello to new experiences. Catch up with old friends. Make new ones. And put your ideas in action. Because now more than ever, change isn’t a maybe. It’s a must. And it’s time to make it happen — together. Welcome to a new day at Portland State. It’s yours to create.

We are Vikings

Portland students and alumni are advocates, changemakers, creators, role models, influencers and, of course, scholars. They’re driven, engaging and innovative. They lead positive change, work harder, think nimbly, and deliver more than expected.

Our students prepare for whatever comes next. Because the only thing that stands between us and a better world for all of us is the will to create it.

Shayla Bailey

A Portland native, Shayla Bailey is preparing to begin her fifth year at Portland State University. In 2020, she wrapped up a degree in Sonic Arts and Music Production, and is returning to add a degree in Vocal Performance.

“I’m sticking around partially because I got a good job on campus that I want to continue doing, Bailey said.

Adan Ramos

As a first-generation student, Adan Ramos is hoping his future with Portland State University will make his family proud and set a good example for his younger siblings.

A recent graduate from McMinnville High School, Ramos said he was drawn to PSU because the urban campus offers a new opportunity for him.

Kara Sydnor

Kara Sydnor transferred to Portland State from Portland Community College during the pandemic. She’s earning her bachelor's degree in public health with a focus on community health promotions.

Despite pandemic challenges, Sydnor enjoyed her remote classes. But she’s looking forward to a different experience this fall.

Chuck Kordbrodt

When Chuck Kornbrodt transferred to Portland State from Portland Community College, he didn’t feel a sense of belonging with the campus community.

“I was just showing up and leaving,” he said.

A job with the Student Ambassadors changed that. Returning to campus life means sharing all PSU has to offer with new students once again.

Ellie Snook

Last fall was tough for Ellie Snook, a junior business major and star defender on PSU's volleyball team.

"A lot of times I found myself struggling to get motivated for both school and volleyball," she said. But months later, when she was able to compete again, Snook came back stronger than ever and was named Big Sky Libero.

Emmanuel Abdul

Emmanuel Abdul is a PhD student from Nigeria. Portland’s many trees and lack of very cold weather helped draw him to PSU five years ago — along with his interest in green chemistry.

When the pandemic hit, Abdul had to stop conducting experiments for several months. Now he’s back in the lab.

Athletics is Back

The resumption of in-person classes at PSU this fall also means that Viking Athletics is back on campus. In reality, Viking Athletics never went away during the COVID-19 pandemic. After six months away from campus, some student-athletes were able to return last October. However, one thing was missing: fans.

Know Your Viks

A game of trivia launched PSU onto the national scene in 1965. With five straight wins, our team became record-breaking champions of the nationally televised college trivia game show, the G.E. College Bowl. Think you’ve got what it takes to continue the tradition?

Test your PSU knowledge