Professor honored for work in mentoring

Portland State professor Thomas Keller recently received an Oregon Mentors award for his work in helping youth at the university.

Keller, a member of the Graduate School of Social Work, started PSU’s Summer Institute on Youth Mentoring this summer. The two-week, intensive program was created for people running youth mentorships, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, with intent to further expertise and learning, Keller said.

The program, planned to be an annual event, featured five nationally known researchers and was attended by groups all over the nation, he said.

Keller began his career at PSU last September as the Duncan and Cindy Campbell Professor for Children, Youth, and Families, emphasizing mentoring. The position was made possible by community donations of over $1.4 million.

Before starting with the university, Keller was an assistant professor of social service administration at the University of Chicago for six years.