I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to be selected as the 11th president of Portland State University.
Since our founding in 1946, Portland State has stayed true to our mission as a university of opportunity, where people come to change their lives and their communities. PSU is home to Oregon’s most racially, ethnically, and economically diverse student population and we are committed to educating the skilled and diverse workforce of our region’s future.
Since taking office on August 1, I’ve addressed Portland’s City Council and joined Governor Kotek’s Portland Central City Task Force to envision downtown Portland’s future. I participated in a behavioral health workforce round table with leaders including Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Senator Jeff Merkley. I met with the presidents at other universities across the state to discuss the future of higher education in Oregon. And I’m preparing a comprehensive strategic plan for PSU with an eye toward increasing our economic impact on the region.
What really excites me about being here is not only being part of Portland's renaissance, but also being part of each student's personal renaissance as they graduate from Portland State University. With their education, they can achieve their dreams and improve their own lives and the lives of their families.
At this moment for PSU, our students, and our city, I am here for the vision of creating positive change so that we can achieve our full potential together.