From the 2018 Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards:
Christina Luther, who earned both of her degrees at Portland State University, has been working in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services since 1998. Over the course of her career at Portland State, Ms. Luther provided a safe and welcoming atmosphere to thousands of international students and scholars who have come to study and work at PSU. Her top priority is making sure that students understand the complex immigration regulations that govern their stay in the United States.
Now director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Ms. Luther has seen the office grow five-fold; the international population has waxed and waned. Her greatest moment of pride occurred in the days and weeks following September 11, 2001, when across the nation, many international students went home. At Portland State, students chose to stay, often against the recommendations of parents and friends at home. They commented again and again that they felt safe and supported by the University, as well as by friends and neighbors.
On campus, Ms. Luther has served on various committees, always with the goal of bringing the international student voice and experience to colleagues who might not otherwise fully grasp the complexity of that experience. She has served on the American Association of University Professors Executive Council, Faculty Senate, the Deadline Appeals Committee (both as a member and as chair), the Internationalization Council, and the Academic Advising Council.
In addition to staying abreast of constantly changing immigration regulations, Ms. Luther has been active in her professional association, advocating at the national level for student rights and championing the myriad benefits international students bring to the United States, in particular at an institution like PSU. Their presence in the classroom provides many PSU students with global and cultural exposure they might otherwise lack.
Ms. Luther’s deep interest in international students, the integrity of her leadership around immigration advising, and her engagement at the local, regional, and national level demonstrate the depth of her commitment to bringing international students and scholars to campus and to ensuring their success. Her work represents the outstanding service to students that the Cumpston Award strives to honor.
The Mary H. Cumpston Award for Service to Students is given annually to an academic professional or university administrator, without academic rank, who has demonstrated excellence in the area of service to students. Mary H. Cumpston was a beloved colleague who truly embodied the meaning of excellence in service to students to the Portland State University.