Message from the Dean Spring 2025

Dear Maseeh Community,

Last week, we celebrated our newest graduates as they crossed the stage at commencement. The pride I felt watching the Class of 2025 receive their degrees reminded me once again why I chose to accept the deanship at Maseeh College—to be part of a community that continues to thrive as a leader in engineering and computer science education because it offers an excellent education that is proactively inclusive, affordable, and accessible. Our students' energy, determination, and accomplishments, along with the dedication of our faculty and staff,  throughout their academic journey exemplify the best of what we stand for.

In these times of change—as universities nationwide face evolving federal landscapes and funding shifts—Portland State and Maseeh College remain unwavering in our foundational mission. We continue to provide equitable access to world-class education while centering student-driven innovation and hands-on learning.

This issue includes coverage of our Research Week Open House showcasing how and why Maseeh College stands out for its cutting-edge research and pedagogical excellence. The recent research awards earned by our faculty and the staff excellence awards we celebrated underscore something unique about Maseeh: our students benefit from close mentorship with award-winning faculty from the very start of their education paths. This intimate educational experience—where undergraduates work alongside researchers pushing the boundaries of their fields—distinguishes our students, our faculty, and our institution.

As I reminded our graduates at commencement, engineering and computer science are about more than technical proficiency—they're about creative problem-solving, collaboration, and making a positive impact on society. When we resist uniformity and embrace what makes each person unique, we create the conditions for breakthrough innovation. When we keep humanity at the center of STEM and value the distinct voices of all contributors, our work becomes more powerful and our solutions more relevant to the communities we serve.

As we welcome summer and look ahead to fall, I'm reminded that commencement isn't an ending—it's a continuation of our shared journey. I'm excited about the paths our newest alumni will forge. A Maseeh College education provides not just one of the best returns on investment in the country, but also the tools to address real-world challenges with ingenuity and purpose. Whether our graduates are developing sustainable technologies, advancing computing frontiers, or solving complex infrastructure problems, they carry with them our commitment to making a difference—and the confidence to use their distinct perspectives to shape solutions our world truly needs.

Thank you for your continued support in making Maseeh College a place where innovation thrives, excellence is recognized, and every student can reach their full potential—not by conforming, but by bringing their authentic selves to the important work of engineering and computer science.

With gratitude and excitement for what's ahead,

Dr. Joseph Bull
Dean, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science