The mission of Portland State University is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic qualities of urban life by providing access throughout the life span to a quality liberal education for undergraduates and an appropriate array of professional and graduate programs especially relevant to the metropolitan area. The University will actively promote development of a network of educational institutions that will serve the community and will conduct research and community service to support a high quality educational environment and reflect issues important to the metropolitan region.

SOURCE: Creating the Urban University of the 21st Century: Portland State University Strategic Plan, Phase I. August 30, 1991.
Mission accepted by Oregon State Board of Higher Education September 27, 1991.