Portland State University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

“Disability Resource Center The mission of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is to collaborate with and empower Portland State University students with disabilities in order to coordinate support services and programs that enable equal access to an education and university life. To accomplish this goal, the DRC provides pre-admission and disability counseling, advocacy, educational training, and a variety of accommodations for equal access to the educational process and campus at Portland State University. (Source: http://drc.pdx.edu/) Queer Resource Center The Portland State University Queer Resource Center strives to provide an inclusive safe space in advocating for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students, staff, faculty and their allies. Our Mission is to serve the PSU and surrounding communities through both outreach education and social programming that promotes awareness. (Source: http://qrc.pdx.edu/) Veterans Services Veterans Services at PSU is a collabrative initiative led by the Division of Student Affairs to provide support to student-veterans at the University. (Source: http://www.pdx.edu/veterans/) +Veterans Services Liaison: housed in the Undergraduate Advising & Support Center (UASC) and works to support student-veterans both by providing academic advising and by collaborating with, and making referrals to, programs and services both at PSU and in the community. +Student Veterans Association: The SVA is a student advocacy and service group that works to promote, unify and advocate for the veteran voice on campus. Their mission is to bring together past and current members of the Armed Forces attending PSU. Student parents Student Parent Services (SPS) offers integrated services that support campus parents’ goals to be effective parents while succeeding in their academic pursuits. Through campus projects, community involvement and advocacy, SPS strives to increase available resources and opportunities that improve the quality of life for campus parents and their families. (Source: http://www.sps.pdx.edu/) Diversity & Multicultural Student Services Diversity and Multicultural Student Services (DMSS) mission is to build and strengthen a sustainable, educationally diverse and co-curricular environment where all students have the access and support they need to achieve their educational goals. (Source: http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/) +African American Student Services: African American Student Services (AASS) provides academic support services, advocacy and campus navigation. We provide connection to African American community services and resources for incoming freshman, transfer and continuing students. AASS also provides a supportive and welcoming environment for African American students as they transition to the PSU academic environment or continue their education at PSU. AASS assists students who are seeking a cultural connection at Portland State University through community building activities and connecting participants to PSU student groups and faculty, as these are essential components to achieving academic success. +Native American Student Services provides to Native American (NA) and Alaskan Native (AN) students services to support their academic success, including academic advising, guidance and referrals to appropriate student services. Native American Student Services coordinates with the Diversity and Multicultural Student Services (DMSS) offices; the Diversity Recognition Scholarship Program, the Native American Student and Community Center, the Student Support Services/Educational Opportunity Program, and the Tutoring Center as key services for the retention and success of the NA/AN students. (Source: http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/nass) +Latino/a Student Services: LSS provides academic support services, advocacy and connections to campus and Latino community services and resources to new incoming freshman, transfer and continuing students. LSS provides a supportive and welcoming environment for Latino students as they transition to the PSU academic environment. LSS assists students who are seeking a cultural connection to the Portland State University campus by connecting them to student groups and faculty, an essential component to achieving academic success. http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/LSS Diversity Scholarship Programs The program promotes diversity and student participation in campus life through volunteerism and academic excellence. Scholarship recipients will share their unique strengths and diverse perspectives through their involvement in on-campus activities, in the classroom and through their participation in community service. The Diversity Enrichment Scholarship is a renewable tuition-remission credit in the amount of 12 undergraduate credits at the resident tuition rate excluding fees (actual amount varies). This scholarship attracts outstanding students from diverse backgrounds, including racial and ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education and pursuin their first bachelors degree. The Diversity Enrichment Scholarship gives preferences to those who are/have: Oregon residents Financial need (federally defined) First-generation* college students * First-generation is defined as neither parent has a 4-year college degree from a U.S. university. http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/diversity-scholars The Cultural Centers The Cultural Centers create a student-centered inclusive environment that enriches the university experience. We honor diversity, explore social justice issues, celebrate cultural traditions, and foster student identities, success and leadership. Learning Goals: Leadership - Intercultural Communication - Identity Development - Social Justice http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/cultural-centers Native American Student & Community Center The Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC) is a gathering space to celebrate and empower student success through culturally relevant programming, academic support, and inter-generational community engagement to preserve and perpetuate inter-tribal connection for Native American/Alaskan Native/Pacific Islander students and our allies through tradition, ceremony, and story. Our center welcomes all people. http://www.pdx.edu/dmss/native-american-student-community-center McNair Scholars The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at Portland State University (PSU) works with motivated and talented undergraduates who want to pursue PhDs. It introduces juniors and seniors who are first-generation and low-income, and/or members of under-represented groups to academic research and to effective strategies for getting into and graduating from PhD programs. (Source: http://sites.google.com/site/psumcnairscholars/home/) Men of Color Mentoring Program The Men of Color Program through the office of Diversity and Multicultural Student Services is a mentoring group designed to assist incoming African-American, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. The aim of the mentoring program is to assist freshman acclimating to the college environment, utilize campus resources, and encourage academic excellence. The programs overall goal is to support the improvement of graduation rates among these identified groups.

The Bias Response Team (BRT) is a Portland State University community identified group of trained advocates and a central administrative core that works with students, staff and faculty experiencing bias on campus. http://www.pdx.edu/dos/bias-response-team