After assuming the role as Portland State’s 11th president on August 1, Dr. Ann Cudd joins Stacey and Kanani to share her background and what made her want to lead the university. Get to meet President Cudd as she chats about her goals at PSU and all of the unique opportunities at Portland’s urban university. Plus, learn about what Dr. Cudd loves about Portland, her passion for athletics and fitness, and her incredible “summer project”.

Stacey and Kanani talk to Becki Ingersoll, Associate Director of Advising & Career Services, all about academic advising. What is it? How can it help students? And what are some requirements students will need to complete in order to graduate? Becki answers those questions and more and we explore the many academic programs and resources available for students at PSU.

Women’s Basketball Head Coach Chelsey Gregg and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jase Coburn join Stacey and Kanani to talk about Viking athletics. Listen to hear about the state-of-the-art Viking Pavilion, how students can get involved with athletics at PSU, and some exciting moments for the men’s basketball team last year, including two wins against Oregon State and a viral buzzer beater that was the #1 play on Sportscenter and one of the most talked about plays in college basketball last season.

Stacey and Kanani are joined by Murph Murphy, the Director of Queer Student Services, and Ron Mansolilli, the Director of the Veterans Resource Center, to talk about the many resource centers and services available to students at Portland State. Students are supported by the University’s 12 resource centers – from the Cultural Resource Centers, to the Disability Resource Center, to the Resource Center for Students with Children, and more. Aimed at building community within and between groups, these centers serve as a space for students to relax in a safe space, talk to each other, host events, do advocacy work, and much more.

Special guests Marcy Hunt and Dana Tasson join us from SHAC, the Center for Student Health and Counseling at PSU. No matter their insurance, all students are welcome to visit SHAC – there is no office visit fee, and many services are provided free of charge. Medical services, mental health and counseling, dental care, and health education are just a few of the services that SHAC offers. Mental Health Support and Nurse Advice lines are available for students 24 hours a day, and more great offerings like the Mind Spa are available for all students.

Stacey and Kanani are joined by PSU alumni Eddie Ramirez, who tells the story of his journey to becoming a dentist. Eddie persevered through numerous obstacles to graduate from PSU in the Pre-Dentistry track as a leader in his community and became the first undocumented student to be accepted into the OHSU School of Dentistry. He reflects on how his experience at PSU shaped his journey and how the opportunities he received at PSU paved the way to his dream job. Now, Eddie sits on the advisory board of the Pre-Health Dreamers group, does advocacy work for undocumented pre-health students, and is a national leader with the American Dental Association while working as a dentist here in Portland.

Stacey and Kanani talk to Emily Sofich, Marketing & Transportation Options Coordinator, about the many transportation options for students at PSU. From discounted Max tickets, to affordable biking resources, to a wide range of resident and commuter parking permits, there’s something for everyone to get to campus and easily move about the Rose City. And, well, it’s Portland, so some of us get creative – like a faculty member who uses an… unconventional method to get across the river. For more information, visit pdx.edu/transportation.

Chris Bullard, Senior Coordinator for the Outdoor Program, joins us to talk about the Outdoor Program and Campus Recreation at PSU. We learn how students can explore Oregon’s great outdoors with the Outdoor Program’s many guided trips and gear rentals, from sea kayaking to snowboarding to climbing, no experience or special equipment necessary. Chris also tells us about the many offerings the recreation center provides, including the pool, climbing walls, weight rooms, indoor track, multi-use rooms, fitness and cardio machines, basketball court, and much more. Students can join an intramural or a pick-up game, attend a yoga class, and go bouldering – it's all included for students enrolled in just one credit or more."

Donna Myers joins us from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to show us how affordable a PSU education can be. With programs like Tuition Free Degree for Oregon residents, Washington Border Discount (WBD) and Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) for non-residents, Honors and International Scholarships, and many more opportunities in PSU Scholarship Universe, PSU has cost saving programs for all students. Donna also shares with us tips on how to earn and retain aid, navigate financial jargon, and the ways in which PSU helps students learn about financial planning for college life and beyond.

PSU’s Assistant Director for Housing Services, Dianne Arce, joins the show to break down the many affordable housing options available for students. Learn about PSU’s unique First Year Experience housing, options for transfer and continuing students to live on campus, honors college housing, and more. The hosts talk about their own experiences living on campus and how that greatly enhanced their college experience. Dianne also shares all the details you need to know about getting in your housing contract! For more information and to apply visit pdx.edu/housing and send questions you may have to housing@pdx.edu.

Ship Talk, a Portland State University Admissions Podcast, is a place for new students to learn all about what awaits them at PSU. Take a listen to a few of the topics that will be discussed over the course of the season. Subscribe to the podcast and follow @go2psu to keep up on everything you need to know about becoming a student at PSU!