In keeping with the objectives of the President’s Diversity Initiative to create an effective and welcoming environment for faculty, staff, and students, Portland State University has created PSUnity, a group of faculty, staff, and students who provide Diversity and Inclusion workshops, as well as response to and support for diversity issues on campus. PSUnity’s model is based on hearing people’s stories, recognizing how our own histories affect our perceptions of others, and learning how to listen to people whose experiences differ from our own or with whom we disagree. Our work focuses on personal experiences and interactions.

PSUnity is available to set up "Listening Tables" in response to potentially divisive events or issues on campus. To learn more about PSUnity Listening Tables, please follow this link to an article in the Portland State newspaper about one of our more recent campus responses. For more information or if you would like to request a Listening Table, please contact us.

We also facilitate workshops, which are open to faculty, staff, students, administration, and departments. These workshops take two forms: we have 1.5 hour workshops entitled "Talking About Diversity" as well as one-day "Diversity and Inclusion" workshops (see below). Please contact us if you are interested in scheduling a 1.5 hour workshop for your department or if you wish to attend the next one-day workshop!


1.5 hour Workshops

We know that PSU people support diversity and want to create a campus climate that is welcoming and makes everyone feel included. "Talking about Diversity" is a short workshop designed to discuss diversity in the work place and practice skills for talking with colleagues and co-workers about differences, similarities, and diversity.

One-day Workshops

PSUnity’s Diversity and Inclusion Workshop is a one-day program of interactive and engaging activities that help participants

  • Recognize the misinformation they have learned about various groups,
  • Understand the personal impact of discrimination,
  • Enhance listening and communication skills for reducing conflict and misunderstanding,
  • Learn skills for dealing effectively with hurtful comments and behavior,
  • Identify internalized oppression, and
  • Claim self-respect in group identity.

Contact Us

Kelle Lawrence is the Director of PSUnity. Please contact us at opdi@pdx.edu for more information about PSUnity.