Winter 2026
Academic Matters
Supporting faculty, strengthening programs, and celebrating the work that advances learning every day.
News from Oregon State University's
Division of Academic Affairs
Academic Matters shares the stories, initiatives, and innovations that shape our academic community. Each issue highlights the people and programs driving excellence in teaching, scholarship, and student success.
Welcome to the winter issue of Academic Matters. This newsletter continues to offer a window into the breadth of work happening across Academic Affairs and in partnership with colleagues throughout the university. While many interact with Academic Affairs through specific programs or in particular moments, this publication highlights how those efforts connect to broader institutional priorities.
At its core, Academic Affairs is focused on advancing learning, supporting faculty, and strengthening academic programs. The stories in this issue reflect that work - from campus engagement in accreditation and evolving approaches to recognizing faculty scholarship, to celebrating external investments in postdoctoral researchers, supporting graduate student transitions, and spotlighting thoughtful innovation in teaching and learning.
Academic Affairs and the Provost’s Office are currently recruiting for two key leadership roles: Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Honors College. Both searches are internal and open through February 15.
We hope this issue provides useful insight and sparks opportunities for connection and collaboration. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please reach out to Erin Bird with your ideas or submit a story suggestion. Please encourage your colleagues to share Academic Matters and encourage them to subscribe.
Oregon State University is in year seven of its reaccreditation cycle with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), one of the institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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At Oregon State University, our greatest advances begin with investing in people, and the many forms of knowledge they create in service of Oregon and beyond. From how we recognize scholarly contributions, to how we support emerging researchers, OSU continues to evolve in ways that reflect modern academic work and our land grant mission.
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Since fall 2023, the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) has proudly hosted its annual Graduate Summer Step program - an immersive, two-and-a-half-day experience designed to support newly admitted master’s and doctoral students as they begin their graduate journey at Oregon State University
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The AI Literacy Center, a collaboration between the OSU Library and the Center for Teaching and Learning, funded several AI Literacy Faculty Fellows in 2025-2026 through support from the OSU Library’s Gray Family Fund. Fellowships were developed with the CTL or with the Center for the Humanities (part of PRAx).
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Have a story, spotlight, or celebration to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email Erin Bird to suggest what we feature next.
Advancing Learning | Supporting Faculty | Strengthening Programs