LETTER FROM THE DEAN

Throughout the past year, we embarked on a journey of challenges, pushing ourselves to acquire new knowledge and serve our students and community, all while staying interconnected and engaged with one another. Throughout it all, our core vision of redefining business and transforming lives remained firmly grounded in three pillars: Impact, Innovation, and Engagement. 

Several noteworthy achievements include the progress made in enhancing students' sense of belonging within the school due to our unwavering dedication to equity and diversity. We also created and launched a new Graduate Enterprise Analytics certificate, finalized major revisions of the MBA and MSF programs to extend content in data analytics, Fintech, and leadership development and intensified faculty and staff training in generative AI, as well as inclusive business.

Our dedication to fostering student success was evident through hardship funds distributed to 141 undergraduate students and 27 graduate students who were facing challenging circumstances. Additionally, we allocated a substantial sum of over $340,000 in scholarship support, ensuring that many of our students had the financial resources needed to pursue their educational dreams.

One of the year’s highlights is undoubtedly Commencement. In the 2023 academic year, we proudly witnessed 961 students successfully graduate from The School of Business. We commemorated this milestone at the Moda Center, where an audience of 12,104 gathered to honor and applaud the remarkable accomplishments of all PSU graduates.

The journey over the past year has been marked by significant accomplishments and noteworthy milestones; however, it’s important to acknowledge that sharing these successes and highlights would not have been possible without the many contributions of dedicated individuals and partners.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to share all the contributions and accomplishments that will unfold in the coming year. Together, we will continue to make a meaningful impact on our students, our community, and the world of business.

Cliff Allen


Innovation

Karl Miller Center

Portland State to Lead Region-Wide Effort for the Next Generations Electrical Grid

Led by Robert Bass and Melissa Appleyard (Associate Dean, The School of Business) this planning grant brings together over 30 stakeholders from across the Pacific Northwest. The partners will develop a strategic plan to promote the development of an innovative smart grid technology ecosystem that delivers prosperity and energy equity to our region.

Portland Skyline

Portland State Online Programs Receive Top Rankings from U.S. News & Report 

U.S. News announced its 2023 rankings for the Best Online Programs. PSU’s Undergraduate Business program ranked 24 out of 214 programs. This is validation that we can keep the experiential and innovative nature of our program as we offer flexibility to our students, which really fits into our goal of increasing access to an outstanding business degree.

Students at Career Center Event

The School of Business Career Center - One Year in Business

Celebrating a year of an innovative case management approach to career services, the center offers a comprehensive range of resources, including regular proactive outreach from dedicated career coaches, which occurs every other week, delivering valuable career guidance, job and internship opportunities, and insights into upcoming employer-related events.


Engagement

SB Mentor Program

The SB Mentor Program Restart

Following a hiatus of several years caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we're excited to announce that The School of Business Mentor Program is made a triumphant return.

SBI

The Summer Business Institute (SBI)

A ten-day program offering high school students the opportunity to visit company sites, hear from guest speakers, and pitch a business presentation on their last day of the program. 

Downtown Offices and Corporate Moves

Downtown Offices and Corporate Moves

Donor-funded PSU Professor Julia Freybote’s presented her research that provided a full view of the future of commercial Portland real estate in the City of Roses.


Impact

Cameron Family

Cameron Family Commits $10 Million 

From the estate of Portland State University alumnus and former U.S. Bank CEO Gerry Cameron and his wife Marilyn Cameron, the contribution was a game-chamger and will benefit the PSU School of Business, supporting faculty and students, and enhancing a new career center. 

Impact Ventures

Impact Ventures

Dedicated to generating positive social, environmental, and economic results, Impact Ventures invests in promising regional start-ups that exhibit substantial financial promise while concurrently making constructive contributions to the environment and society. 

Redefine and Transform Scholarship

The Redefine and Transform Scholarship

Rooted in values, these scholarships bolster, encourage, and motivate aspiring leaders who are committed to fostering positive change within the realms of business and the broader community. Students are asked to share their personal narratives.