Diversity and Multicultural Student Services (DMSS)

Multicultural Retention Services

Multicultural Retention Services (MRS) strives to ensure the academic success, retention, and graduation of students through culturally inclusive programs and services that are designed to build a strong sense of community and belonging. We provide academic support, advising, referrals, and advocacy for first generation, low-income, and/or historically underrepresented students.

Diversity Scholarship Program

The purpose of the Diversity Scholarship Program is to expand and enrich Portland State’s learning community by recognizing and supporting outstanding students from first generation and various cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, with diverse talents, interests, and life experiences. The Diversity Scholarship Program is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals. The program promotes diversity and student participation in campus life through volunteerism and academic excellence.

African American Student Services

African American Student Services (A.A.S.S) provides academic support services, advocacy and campus navigation. We provide connections to communities of the African diaspora and services and resources for incoming freshman, transfer and continuing students. A.A.S.S also provides a supportive and welcoming environment for students from the African diaspora as they acclimate to the PSU academic environment or continue their education at PSU. A.A.S.S. assists students who are seeking a cultural connection at Portland State University through community building activities and connecting them to both PSU student groups and faculty, as these are essential components to achieving academic success.

Asian and Pacific Islander Student Services

Asian Pacific Islander (API) Student Services supports students in the PSU Community by providing services in which students have access to advising, advocacy and support. We are here for those who seek to build a cultural connection to campus resources, organizations, and services, including API Staff and Faculty. We provide: opportunities for leadership development; referrals to API community resources; and transitional support for new students at PSU. API Student Services welcomes all students in the community who seek resources, support, and a sense of community that will enable them to feel confident and be successful students and leaders at PSU.

Latino/a Student Services

Latino/a Student Services provides academic support services, advocacy and connections to campus and Latino/a community services and resources to new incoming freshman, transfer and continuing students. Latino/a Student Services provides a supportive and welcoming environment for Latino/a students as they transition to the PSU academic environment. Latino/a Student Services 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.

Native American Student Services

The Native American Student Services Program provides support for Native American and Alaskan Native students through general advising, guidance, advocacy and referrals to appropriate campus-based and Portland Metro resources, especially organizations serving Native American people. Native American Student Services connects students to opportunities for Native American cultural enrichment and social activities, both on campus and in the community.

TRIO-Student Support Services Mission

The mission of TRIO programs is to expand educational opportunity to persons often underrepresented in higher education, increase the retention and graduation rates of students who are low income, first generation or have a documented disability and to foster an institutional climate supportive of the success for those students through comprehensive services and advocacy.

TRIO-Student Support Services assists students to

• Strengthen academic skills necessary for college level course work through classes and workshops

• Connect with cultural and social enrichment activities to find a sense of community

• Improve and maintain the grade point average necessary to achieve academic goals

• Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree

For more information regarding our services and support, please visit us at https://www.pdx.edu/trio-student-support-services/.