What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pan-African Commons Student Center Program Coordinator position at Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs?
Position Announcement
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 06/01/2026 Classification Title Advising and Student Services Rank N - No Rank Working Title Pan-African Commons Student Center Program Coordinator Department 331625 - OSA Cultural Rsrce Ctrs Admin Position Number D91895 Representation AU - AAUP Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status N - not applicable
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Position Summary
The Program Coordinator provides leadership to the Pan-African Commons Student Center and the Cultural Resource Center unit as a whole to maintain and enhance an environment where African American, African, Black students see themselves reflected, embraced, and valued, and make connections to campus resources and services to support student retention.
The Program Coordinator facilitates the development and coordination of co-curricular programming that supports student success through community-building activities, cultural programs, social justice pedagogy, leadership development, community service and engagement, and identity development.
The Program Coordinator facilitates student involvement in planning and implementing programs in the African American, African, Black community and with other cultural and identity-based centers on campus.
The Coordinator collaborates with student groups, on-campus departments, and community organizations to advance the mission of the Cultural Resource Centers.
This position works under the direction of the Assistant Director and reports to the Executive Director of Multicultural Student Services.
In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M06dEVNc5Um7oaxRBeZvfQd2dtC6L4jS/view
Minimum Qualifications
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Benefits
Work Days/Hours TBD Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be $58,596 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M06dEVNc5Um7oaxRBeZvfQd2dtC6L4jS/view
#internal
Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names, emails and phone numbers of three professional references.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes Position End Date (if applicable) If you have questions
Please email Jeffrey Smith at leston@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date 05/14/2026 Projected Close Date for Posting Closes Application screening begins Quick Link https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/49514
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 06/01/2026 Classification Title Advising and Student Services Rank N - No Rank Working Title Pan-African Commons Student Center Program Coordinator Department 331625 - OSA Cultural Rsrce Ctrs Admin Position Number D91895 Representation AU - AAUP Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status N - not applicable
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Position Summary
The Program Coordinator provides leadership to the Pan-African Commons Student Center and the Cultural Resource Center unit as a whole to maintain and enhance an environment where African American, African, Black students see themselves reflected, embraced, and valued, and make connections to campus resources and services to support student retention.
The Program Coordinator facilitates the development and coordination of co-curricular programming that supports student success through community-building activities, cultural programs, social justice pedagogy, leadership development, community service and engagement, and identity development.
The Program Coordinator facilitates student involvement in planning and implementing programs in the African American, African, Black community and with other cultural and identity-based centers on campus.
The Coordinator collaborates with student groups, on-campus departments, and community organizations to advance the mission of the Cultural Resource Centers.
This position works under the direction of the Assistant Director and reports to the Executive Director of Multicultural Student Services.
In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M06dEVNc5Um7oaxRBeZvfQd2dtC6L4jS/view
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with at least three years of experience in program development focused on equity principles.
- Knowledge of promising practices in adult student programming, student services, and activities; and community service programs.
- Experience working with African American, African, Black students, and community members.
- Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and diverse cultures.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Competency with basic computer applications, e-mail, etc.
- Demonstrated excellence in facilitating meetings, developing training on basic event planning, and running large group team-building exercises.
- Experience with maintaining a budget.
- Applied knowledge of social justice theories with a focus on equity.
- Active listening, mentoring, interpersonal, cross-cultural communication, and conflict mediation skills.
- Ability to prioritize assignments and tasks, to juggle various projects and issues at the same time, and to work with a minimal amount of direct supervision.
- Knowledge of the needs and experiences of urban African American, African, Black communities, and organizations.
- Experience supervising adult student workers.
- Strategic organizational skills to the ability to develop short-term and long-term plans.
- Knowledge of higher education policies and program requirements and large public organizational structures.
- Knowledge/experience with social media.
- Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
- Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
- Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Benefits
Work Days/Hours TBD Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be $58,596 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
In accordance with the AAUP collective bargaining agreement this position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Article 17 Section 11 refers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M06dEVNc5Um7oaxRBeZvfQd2dtC6L4jS/view
#internal
Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names, emails and phone numbers of three professional references.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes Position End Date (if applicable) If you have questions
Please email Jeffrey Smith at leston@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date 05/14/2026 Projected Close Date for Posting Closes Application screening begins Quick Link https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/49514
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * This position is open only to current PSU AAUP academic professionals. Are you currently employed as an AAUP academic professional?
- Yes
- No
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU Website
- Indeed.com
- HERCJobs
- Urban League of Portland
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
- Oregon Employment Department
- Social Media
- Person Referral
- Career Builder
- Glass Door
- Other - Please describe in the next Question
- If you selected Other, please describe. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Professional References
Salary : $58,596