Throughout my listening tour this fall and winter, I engaged in meaningful conversations with hundreds of our campus and community members. These discussions often circled back to two insightful and recurring questions. The first probed the essence of PSU's identity: 'What does it mean for PSU to be an urban research university?' The second delved into our university's broader impact: 'How can PSU contribute to the revitalization of Portland and enhance the city's growth and vibrancy?' These inquiries reflect our community's deep engagement and underscore the pivotal role PSU plays in Portland’s urban landscape and renaissance.
These questions are also more than mere inquiries; they are gateways to a deeper understanding of our identity and mission, especially at a pivotal moment when the university is developing a new strategic plan that will establish a shared vision, set priorities, and help ensure our alignment with the evolving needs of the region. Moreover, the recent release of Governor Kotek's Portland Central City Task Force recommendations to revitalize downtown Portland presents another timely and critical backdrop for this discussion.
This introductory post is intended to lay the groundwork for a series exploring what it means to be an urban research university (URU). We'll examine how this identity informs our approach to education, research, and community engagement, ensuring that our actions resonate with the strategic direction of the university and the revitalization efforts championed by the governor's task force. However, before we get into these specifics, let's first define what a URU truly is. Urban universities like PSU are deeply integrated into the fabric of their cities: The urban setting and environment directly influence our curriculum, research, and outreach. Challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development, social disparities, economic dynamics, and cultural evolution are not just academic topics; they are central to our research agendas. In Portland, this includes addressing critical issues such as housing affordability and homelessness, promoting environmental sustainability and green urban planning, and tackling public health and addiction concerns. Our work also encompasses advancing equity and social justice, supporting economic development and job creation in the wake of economic disruptions, enhancing urban mobility and public transportation systems, and developing strategies for climate change adaptation. These challenges are woven into the fabric of our research and teaching, shaping policies, crafting innovative solutions, and enriching city life in meaningful ways.
At PSU, being a URU is about embodying a research ethos with a profound commitment to societal impact. Guided by our motto, "Let Knowledge Serve the City," our research transcends academic journals to create actionable solutions for urban challenges. Our faculty and students collaborate with businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to tackle these challenges together and turn research findings and outcomes into practical solutions. In this mutualism, PSU is not merely a participant but a partner, co-creator, and crucial driver of Portland's growth and renaissance. Thus, the city's future is inextricably linked to the strength and vitality of PSU and its research enterprise.
In the upcoming installments of this series (Urban Impact: PSU’s Mission in Action), we will explore specific ways PSU fulfills its URU mission. We'll highlight groundbreaking research projects in areas such as climate change, social justice and inequity, sustainability, and urban mobility. We'll showcase artistic endeavors that enrich Portland's cultural landscape and innovations that address the critical needs of the region. In short, we’ll celebrate the transformative power of URUs and PSU's steadfast commitment to lifting up and reviving its urban home. Stay tuned for our next chapter, and please share your thoughts (rtankers@pdx.edu) on what aspects of PSU's URU mission resonate with you.