Jackie Balzer, Portland State’s new vice provost for student affairs wants students to know that she is “an open door policy” person. “For me, I get my joy from this work, helping students realize their potential and possibilities,” Balzer said. Balzer, currently the dean of student life at Oregon State University, will take over PSU’s vice provost position July 1, replacing interim Vice Provost Dan Fortmiller, who has occupied the position for two years.
New vice provost wants students to realize potential
Jackie Balzer, Portland State’s new vice provost for student affairs wants students to know that she is “an open door policy” person.
“For me, I get my joy from this work, helping students realize their potential and possibilities,” Balzer said.
Balzer, currently the dean of student life at Oregon State University, will take over PSU’s vice provost position July 1, replacing interim Vice Provost Dan Fortmiller, who has occupied the position for two years.
Balzer said she found her passion for working with students very early on in her career.
“I found my career passion right away,” said Balzer, whose graduate work was in college student services and administrations. “I very much enjoy working with college students in learning environments.”
Balzer spent nearly 11 years working with students at Oregon State. In addition to her work as dean of student life, Balzer also served as OSU’s director of student retention programs and the coordinator for first-year experience programs.
Balzer said the switch to PSU is definitely a career-oriented move.
“It’s just a wonderful opportunity to advance my career and yet get to stay in Oregon and the OUS system,” she said. “Having an opportunity to serve at a thriving urban campus as a vice provost position is very attractive.”
However, students and campus are her top priority, Balzer said.
“The most urgent thing for me will be getting myself acquainted with faculty, staff and students,” she said. “It’s very important for me to understand the culture of the community. The highest priority is to contribute to student success.”
The vice provost for student affairs oversees student issues such as health care, student groups, employment and other aspects of student life.
Balzer has spent a good amount of time in Washington state and Oregon. She said she loves spending time in nature, just like a true Pacific Northwesterner.
“I am an outdoors person, so Oregon is a good match for me,” Balzer said. “I enjoy skiing, hiking, biking. And I’m going to enjoy exploring the city. I am especially looking forward to being a member of the university as well as the Portland-metro community.”
Balzer was born in West Virginia, and then moved to Washington, near Tacoma, where she spent her childhood. She came to Oregon to pursue her graduate work.
Moving to Portland to become PSU’s vice provost for student affairs is an exciting opportunity, Balzer said.
“PSU has highly engaged students, engaging professionals, top-notch faculty–I’m honored to join the team,” she said.
