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This Issue: February 15, 2026
Graphic Design & Aesthetics As Strategy Using Canva (Feb. 4)
This Learning Labs session, “Graphic Design and Aesthetics as Strategy using Canva” introduces concepts related to Graphic Design focusing on how Aesthetic Intelligence shape meaning, identity, and emotional connection in brands. Attendees will examine how design elements (color, logos, type fonts), cultural relevance, and sensory storytelling can differentiate a new Portland MLB expansion team.
LCIT Spring 2026 Discussion Groups (Feb. 5-6)
Join the Learning Community for Inclusive Teaching (LCIT)! During the Spring 2026 semester, we will offer two discussion groups to cover a wide range of topics to support the LCIT goal of connecting faculty across disciplines to support best teaching practices. These group discussions will inspire you to try innovative practices in your teaching that fit with your discipline and teaching style, and help to break down silos by cultivating a community of teaching excellence centered on inclusive teaching.
Field Notes In Sound with Julian Saporiti (Feb. 17)
Join musician, scholar, and storyteller Dr. Julian Saporiti to experience the Pacific Northwest’s landscapes through an artistic lens that weaves together music, history, and ecology. Drawing on his work as musician-in-residence at Portland’s Hoyt Arboretum, Saporiti uses field recordings, images, and song to explore how the natural world sustains our spiritual and intellectual lives, offering a vision of sustainability that unites ecology with imagination.
The House of Black Excellence GALA (Feb. 21)
We are proud to present our Black History Month Art Exhibit at the BC Gallery, a celebration of Black artistry, culture, and resilience from past to present. Join us for an opening gala event on February 21 at 5 p.m. to celebrate works centered on themes of resistance, identity, and the enduring legacy of Black excellence.
Science Olympiad is coming to UP – Call for Volunteers! (Mar. 14)
Oregon Science Olympiad is coming to UP and we need volunteers! The tournament will bring several hundred high-achieving students from all over Oregon to campus on March 14 (all day!). It is a fun-filled, STEM-filled set of competitions. If you don’t think of yourself as a ‘science person’ or ‘STEM person,’ all the better! Come volunteer and show these folks that UP is the place for curious people!
Help Us Respond to UP Student Health Needs
Support UP Health, Counseling, and Wellness by sharing the importance of the NCHA survey with students. This survey will help us update our services and programming to meet the needs of the current UP student population.
Difference Award Honorees 2026
Athletics celebrates this year’s “Difference Award” winners, Professors Beth DuFault and Courtney Ngai, and honors Lisa Reed for 29 years of service. Join us in recognizing them at the Feb. 18 Men’s Basketball game at 7 p.m. in the Chiles Center.
New to The Bluff—Camille Kuroiwa-Lewis: Clark Library Access Services Evening Supervisor
We are pleased to share that Camille Kuroiwa-Lewis has joined the Clark Library at the University of Portland as the new Access Services Evening Supervisor.
Covert Gallery Reception: Photographs by Father Nicholas Guiney, C.S.C. (February 11)
The Clark Library invites you to a reception with UP’s own Father Nicholas Guiney, C.S.C. celebrating his exhibit “Más Allá”.
Spring 2026 Butine
The Committee on Teaching and Scholarship is pleased to announce that the Spring 2026 cycle for Butine Faculty Development grants is now open. Applications are due Feb. 13, 2026 and must be submitted through the Butine Moodle page.
Holy Cross Heroes
Who is your Holy Cross Hero? An easy way to celebrate Holy Cross Heritage Week to share about a Holy Cross Hero and his/her impact on your life.
Retreat: MLK and Moreau-UP’s Mission and Hope for Our Society
The University Mission office is offering two additional retreats this semester at Mt Angel Guesthouse. Join a small group of colleagues to reflect upon the vision and enduring hope that the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau bring our world today.
Join the Lavender Group
All employees — faculty, staff, administration, and adjuncts — are welcome to join the Lavender Affinity Group, our employee resource group for LGBTQIA+ colleagues and allies.
June 2026 Garaventa Center Writing Retreat for Faculty
A three day writing retreat for UP faculty only that is sponsored by the Garaventa Center and held at Mt. Angel Abbey. Participants must apply.
Essentials of People Management Series
Essentials of People Management equips UP supervisors with the foundational skills and confidence needed to lead teams with clarity and purpose. This program supports supervisors in navigating daily management responsibilities, setting expectations, and fostering a mission-aligned work environment. Through a structured workshop series, participants deepen the mindsets and practices that promote trust, accountability, consistency, and positive team culture across the University.