by Stephen Percy
May 13th 2022
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Dear PSU Community, Faculty, Staff and Students,
Another academic year is drawing to a close and Commencement 2022 is just a month away. It is an opportune time for me to update you about a coming transition of my own.
After careful thought, I have decided that once my three-year term is up next year, it is time for me to move to retirement. As you may recall, I stepped into the role of Acting President, then Interim President, in spring and summer 2019. About a year later, in summer 2020 I was honored to be appointed as your President for a three-year term; a term that ends next summer.
I will reach three score and ten years next year and, after multiple decades in higher education, it was always my intention to embrace a new stage in my life. I intend to return to the faculty for a brief time to do some writing on my leadership experiences and then fully retire.
I am announcing this now to give the Board of Trustees ample time to identify PSU’s next leader. Please know I am not yet done as your President. Until a new president arrives, I will dedicate my full energy to our priorities of racial justice and equity, student success, and engagement to advance revitalization of our community and region. I look forward to our collective efforts to strengthen our university, make progress on financial sustainability, and position us to thrive in the dynamic world of higher education.
Serving as President of Portland State is the highlight of my academic career. I very much appreciate the support of the Board of Trustees and our entire campus community. We are together working to strengthen Portland State during a deeply challenging period. It is a privilege to work alongside so many talented colleagues making such an extraordinary impact.
Sincerely,
Stephen Percy