From the 2022 Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards:
Courtney Shiroma is the Executive Director of University Housing & Residence Life (UHRL). She received her Bachelor of Science in Communications and her Master’s in College Student Personnel from Western Carolina University. Since joining Portland State University in 2010, Courtney has championed programs and services that enhance the educational experiences for residential students, help students find a sense of belonging, and support at-risk students.
During her tenure at PSU, Courtney launched the University Success program, an in-hall service that provides academic connection and support to residential students, as well as the Second Year Experience, an initiative addressing the unique developmental needs of second-year students. Courtney also redesigned the Residence Life program around a Residential Curriculum Model and expanded leadership development by supporting the Residential Leadership & Engagement Center (ReLEC). Most recently, Courtney has devoted herself to supporting staff and students in the COVID-19 environment, including coming to campus each day to work when most other staff worked remotely, and implementing isolation protocol, meal deliveries, and remote programming to support residential students. Despite all these responsibilities, Courtney often can be heard saying, “always a pleasure, never a chore,” a principle she lives out in selfless service to students.
Courtney has worked diligently to ensure students’ basic needs are being met by co- chairing the Committee for Improving Student Food Security and serving on the CARE Team, Incident Management Team, and Bias Review Team, in addition to countless other coalitions supporting student success. Additionally, Courtney has dedicated time to mentoring new and aspiring professionals in student affairs.
"The passion and drive that Courtney has for serving students and creating meaningful learning experiences across campus is evident,” colleague Russell Jones said. “As her colleagues, we believe we can do the impossible because of her leadership.”
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 whose enduring contributions to Portland State University and to the community enhanced the development and delivery of student services.