Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (S-I-R)
Academic Year 2025-2026 Competition
FY25 Scholar Recruitment Memo
Name of Host Institution: Portland State University
Location: Portland, OR
Institution Website: www.pdx.edu
Scholar: To be recruited
Program Start: 9/16/2025
Country of Origin: South Korea
Monthly Stipend Allowance according to
location: $3,611
Discipline: Sociology
Program Length in Months: 10
Specialization: Korean Studies
Institution Type: Asian-American and Native
American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions
(AANAPISI)
Hosting Department: Sociology
Locale: Urban
Institutional and Program Summary:
Summary of Activities: The scholar will be engaged in three main levels during the stay in 2025-2026. The scholar will
offer in the Department of Sociology at PSU. The scholar will hold guest lectures for students and faculty on campus and
in the region and mentoring students interested in Sociology of Korea and Korean Studies at PSU. The scholar will also
engage in various communities, such as the Korean Society of Oregon, Oregon Korean School, K-12, and the Fulbright
local chapter.
Academic Program: The scholar will teach at least two courses during the year of 2025-2026 in our quarter system. While
the scholar may spend Fall term in 2025 to develop the courses tailored for our quarter system at PSU, the courses we
would like the scholar to offer are two important elective courses in the Department of Sociology, Comparative
Perspectives of Family Formation and Sociology of Aging with the Case of Korea, both at undergraduate level.
These courses will cover increasingly important topics such as diverse family, gendered practices in family behaviors,
influences of family on work and labor market, economic security, and health and well-being focusing on Korea, which
will strengthen and complement our current course offerings.
Scholar Profile: There are four main qualifications the univeristy would like. First, it would be ideal if the scholar received
a PhD in Sociology or related fields to ensure that the scholar is equipped with foundational theories, main
methodological approaches, and good exposure of their areas of expertise. Second, Portland State University would like at
least three years of teaching experience. Third, it would be important that the scholar received their PhD from a college or
university whose primary instruction is in English. The scholar should be passionate about working with diverse and non-
traditional students and to be actively engaged in various communities in the region.
Plans for Other Campus Activities: The scholar will be invited to a series of lectures both units organize either as a guest
speaker or an attendee, and social events that our student organizations and clubs put together. There will also be a variety
of lectures and cultural events that the Global Diversity and Inclusion at PSU offers, and the scholar will be included in
those events as well. Lastly, the scholar will be intdocued to a community of faculty interested in Korea and Korean
Studies who often host a conference, workshop, and networking events.
Community Outreach: The scholar is expected to engage in a variety of events. These events may include educational
events that local communities organize, cultural events that Consulate Generals in Portland or Seattle, field trips of K-12
schools to PSU campus, and local media covering Korean related issues. Additionally, the scholar will be connected with
many Korean communities in the region, non-profit organizations concerning Korea and Korean America, such as Friends
of Korea, local governments supporting Asian immigrants, and cultural activities hosted or sponsored by Fulbright
Association Oregon Chapter.
Host Institution Information
Form Title
Host Institution Information
Is this a Joint Proposal with
another U.S. institution?*
No
U.S. Institution Information
Name of Institution*
Portland State University
Institution Website*
www.pdx.edu
Institution City*
Portland
Institution State*
OR
Is your institution one of the
following? Select all that apply.*
Asian-American and Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving
Institutions (AANAPISI)
Indicate the location setting of
your institution (select one):*
Urban
Size and Characteristics of the
student body and faculty*
Founded in 1946, Portland State University (PSU) is the largest urban
university in Oregon with almost 1,600 faculty members, offering
degrees in 204 programs. PSU is a home for over 21,000 diverse
students (16,423 undergraduates and 4,617 graduates), including
students who are BIPOC (40.1%), first-generation (49.4%), first-
generation BIPOC (58.9%), and with children (24%). Also, PSU has
been recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific
Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
Mission*
We serve a vibrant urban region through our creativity, collective
knowledge, and expertise. We are dedicated to collaborative learning,
innovative research, sustainability and community engagement. We
educate a diverse community of lifelong learners. Our research and
teaching have global impacts. We promote access, inclusion and equity
as pillars of excellence. We strive for excellence and innovation that
solves problems. We believe everyone should be treated with integrity
and respect.
Scope of academic offerings*
PSU consists of ten colleges and schools, including College of
Education, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, College of the Arts,
College of Urban & Public Affairs, Maseeh College of Engineering &
Computer Science, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, School of
Social Work, The Graduate School, The School of Business, University
Honors College, offering 88 doctoral degrees, 95 master’s, and 204
bachelor’s degrees. Our academic offerings span numerous disciplines,
including traditional fields as well as emerging applied fields, such as
data analysis, intelligence and analytics, governance, social practice,
global management, mental health, leadership, and life education, to
incorporate community engagement and service learning in
inter/multidisciplinary settings. Additionally, in order to serve our diverse
student population, PSU offers a number of online and flexible degree
programs, pioneering new territories and leading the way to address the
major challenges many of our students face.
Has your institution previously
received a Fulbright Scholar-in-
No
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Host Institution Information (continued)
Residence Program Visit?
Please if you are
unsure.*search our directory of
Fulbright Scholar Alumni
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Institutional Contacts
Form Title
Institutional Contacts
Responsible Administrative Official
Prefix*
Dr.
First Name*
Heejun
Last Name*
Chang
Title*
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs
Academic Discipline*
Geography
Office/Department*
Geography
Telephone
+1 503-725-3162
Email*
changh@pdx.edu
Street*
1825 SW Broadway
City*
Portland
State*
OR
Zip Code*
97201
Letter from Responsible Administrative Official*
Please submit a of maximum 2
pages for one institution, or a
maximum of 4 for joint
proposals.
Uploaded 06/03/2024
Principal Contact for Academic Arrangements
Prefix*
Dr.
First Name*
Hyeyoung
Last Name*
Woo
Title*
Professor
Academic Discipline*
Sociology
Office/Department*
Sociology
Telephone
+1 503-725-8957
Email*
hyeyoung@pdx.edu
Street*
1721 SW Broadway
City*
Portland
State*
OR
Zip Code*
97201
Principal Contact for Non-Academic Arrangements
Prefix*
Mr.
First Name*
David
Last Name*
Brandt
Title*
International Scholar Advisor
Academic Discipline*
International Relations
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Institutional Contacts (continued)
Office/Department*
Office of International Student and Scholar Services
Telephone
+1 503-725-8596
Email*
dbrandt@pdx.edu
Street*
1825 SW Broadway
City*
Portland
State*
OR
Zip Code*
97201
Oversight
oversight
The Fulbright SIR grant will be managed within the Office of Global
Engagement and Innovation (OGEI) at Portland State University, and as
the Chair of the Department of Sociology where the scholar will offer the
courses, Hyeyoung Woo will be a faculty host to work with the scholar
to make plans for the course offerings, oversee the course
development, instructions, and teaching effectiveness. I will have
regular meetings with the scholar to ensure that the scholar has access
to support and resources during the stay.
Several additional personnel includes: Debra Clemans, the Fiscal
Officer at OGEI & Director of Fulbright/Boren Programs at PSU, who will
assess the grant; David Brandt, International Scholar Advisor in the
International Student and Scholar Services at OGEI who will help the
scholar process related paperwork to appoint the scholar; and Kris
Lucht Adams, the Office Specialist II in the Department of Sociology
who will work with the scholar to schedule/arrange the courses.
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Program Information - SIR Host
Form Title
Program Information - SIR Host
Proposed Program Dates
From*
09/16/2025
Term*
Full Academic Year
To*
06/15/2026
Length in Months*
10
Summary of Activities*
Proposal Summary
The scholar will be engaged in three main levels during the stay in
2025-2026. First level is through the courses that I hope the scholar will
offer in the Department of Sociology at PSU. Second level is through
guest lecturing for students and faculty on campus and in the region
and mentoring students interested in Sociology of Korea and Korean
Studies at PSU. Third level is at communities, such as the Korean
Society of Oregon, Oregon Korean School, K-12, and the Fulbright local
chapter.
Teaching Responsibilities*
Please summarize your
proposed S-I-R’s overall
teaching responsibilities and
subject matter covered:*
I propose that the scholar teaches at least two courses during the year
of 2025-2026 in our quarter system. While the scholar may spend Fall
term in 2025 to develop the courses tailored for our quarter system at
PSU, the courses I would like the scholar to offer are two important
elective courses in the Department of Sociology, Comparative
Perspectives of Family Formation and Sociology of Aging with the Case
of Korea, both at undergraduate level.
These courses will cover increasingly important topics such as diverse
family, gendered practices in family behaviors, influences of family on
work and labor market, economic security, and health and well-being
focusing on Korea, which will strengthen and complement our current
course offerings. I will work with the scholar so that they consider no or
low cost of the textbook options, universal designs for learning,
decentralized readings, and various classroom activities to ensure
diversity, inclusion, and accessibility for the courses.
What department(s) will the
scholar be housed in?*
Sociology
How many courses do you plan
to have the scholar teach?*
2
Course 1
Title*
Comparative Perspectives of Family Formation
Description*
Comparative Perspectives of Family Formation covers sociological
concepts of family, family behaviors, social/historical/cultural influences
on family formation, data/methods commonly used in the literature,
family behaviors, policies, and various social consequences through the
cases of Korea and the United States.
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Program Information - SIR Host (continued)
As a social unit, family is an important topic in sociology, and this
course based on Korea and the United States will not only attract many
students but also complement our current sociology curriculum. While
these countries are advanced countries, they greatly differ by family
values and norms and gendered family practices. In particular, in Korea,
more people stay unmarried and do not have children, with average age
at first marriage increasing and the fertility being the lowest in the world,
and despite governmental efforts, these patterns have not been
reversed. This course will provide an opportunity to learn about Korea
as an important case in sociology of family.
Course 2
Title*
Sociology of Aging
Description*
Covering sociological aspects of gerontology, this course serves as an
elective for sociology majors and the gerontology certificate at the
Institute on Aging at PSU. Given the growing aging population, the
importance of this course has been increasingly critical. This course
starts with fundamental concepts and theories in the fields. It also
covers social effects and consequences of population aging using the
case of Korea – the country experiencing the fastest population aging,
and policy implication offered in the course can be applied to many
advanced countries, including the United States.
Sociology of Aging has not been offered recently in the department.
Given many similarities and differences between Korea and the United
States, the cases of Korea and the United States covered in the course
will offer broaden perspectives to study aging and the life course, and
relevant policies, which can educate our students for our urban and
transnational society.
Course 4
Will the S-I-R be teaching
independently or co-teaching?*
Independent instruction
What is the anticipated total
enrollment of these courses
combined?*
100+
Describe how you will involve
the scholar in a variety of
academic roles and activities
beyond teaching courses, such
as curriculum development,
academic advising,
departmental activities etc.*
As the Chair of the Department of Sociology, and the Director of the
Institute for Asian Studies, I will involve the scholar in three main ways
at PSU: 1.I will invite the scholar to give a talk in the Department and/or
at the Institute; 2.The scholar will have opportunities to advise students
interested in Korean/Korean American Studies; and 3. The scholar will
have ample formal/informal networking opportunities with faculty
affiliates at the Institute and faculty members in the Department.
Plans for Other Campus Activities*
Plans for Other Campus
Activities
I am very committed to helping the scholar engaged in a number of
intellectual interactions with faculty and scholars on campus through
various academic and social events during their stay at Portland State
University (PSU). Given my 15 years at PSU, I can certainly help the
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Program Information - SIR Host (continued)
scholar engage with the larger campus community in three main ways:
1. As the Chair of the Department of Sociology and the Director of the
Institute for Asian Studies at PSU, I will ensure that the scholar is invited
to the series of lectures both units organize either as a guest speaker or
an attendee, and social events that our student organizations and clubs
put together; 2.There will also be a variety of lectures and cultural
events that the Global Diversity and Inclusion at PSU offers, and I will
include the scholar in those events as well; and 3. I will introduce the
scholar to a community of faculty interested in Korea and Korean
Studies who often host a conference, workshop, and networking events.
Community Outreach*
Community Outreach
In my capacity as the Director of the Institute for Asian Studies (IAS), I
plan to introduce the scholar to many events that IAS sponsors. These
events may include educational events that local communities organize,
cultural events that Consulate Generals in Portland or Seattle, field trips
of K-12 schools to PSU campus, and local media covering Korean
related issues.
Additionally, I would be very excited to connect the scholar with many
Korean communities in the region, non-profit organizations concerning
Korea and Korean America, such as Friends of Korea, local
governments supporting Asian immigrants, and cultural activities hosted
or sponsored by Fulbright Association Oregon Chapter.
Through these venues, the scholar will have a number of opportunities
to participate in educational, cultural, civic, and social events and
activities in the greater Portland area during their stay.
Letters of Support*
Please limit your letters to a
maximum of 10 pages
(applicants applying jointly with
another institution may upload
up to 20 pages).Letters of
Support
Uploaded 06/03/2024
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Scholar Profile
Form Title
Scholar Profile
Are you naming a scholar?*
No
Academic Discipline and Specialization*
Academic Discipline*
Sociology
Specialization*
Korean Studies
The Scholar (if recruitment is requested)
From what world region would
you like to host a scholar?*
East Asia/Pacific
Country 1
South Korea
Country 2
South Korea
Why this world region and
countries?*
The courses I hope the scholar to offer are sociology courses
concerning the current impending issues in Korea, and I believe
scholars from South Korea would be ideal candidates for three
important reasons. First, at PSU, there have been growing interests in
Korea and Korean America among students and faculty, and Korean
related Sociology courses will serve very nicely as sociology elective
courses for many students who would like to further delve in to social
science courses after Korean language courses and other Korean
Studies related humanities courses at PSU. Second, as I have been
engaged in developing Korean Studies minor program with several
leaderships at PSU, the courses we can offer through the Fulbright SIR
program will gauge the levels of interest and eventually serve as a
stepping stone toward Korean Studies program development at PSU in
the near future. Lastly, I would love to explore some potential funding
opportunities for Korean Studies programs with the scholar.
Indicate discipline(s) or field(s)
of expertise, theoretical
orientation (if applicable), and
subjects/issues about which
you wish the scholar to be
particularly knowledgeable. *
At PSU, Korean Language courses have been growing well and there
are a few humanities courses covering Korea. However, we do not have
Korean studies related courses in the fields of social sciences regularly
offered at PSU.
I anticipate the work with the scholar to be a first step toward building
Korean Studies program at PSU by strengthening the sociology
curricular through diversification, inclusion, and decentralization, and
therefore, I wish the scholar to be well versed with contemporary issues
in Korea, particularly focusing on some of the areas, including family
formation, gender and sexuality, and aging and the life course.
However, some other areas, such as education, work and occupation,
labor force, and health and well-being would be welcomed. It would also
be great if the scholar is (willing to be) aware of these lines of literature
based in the United States, offering comparative perspectives to
address the subject matters in the courses.
List scholar’s qualifications,
including academic degree level
and years of teaching
experience. *
There are four main qualifications I hope from the scholar. First, it would
be ideal if the scholar received a PhD in Sociology or related fields to
ensure that the scholar is equipped with foundational theories, main
methodological approaches, and good exposure of their areas of
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Scholar Profile (continued)
expertise. Second, I believe that at least three years of teaching
experience would be necessary. Without this level of teaching
experience at higher educations, the scholar might not be able to offer
the courses successfully. Third, it would be important that the scholar
received their PhD from a college or university whose primary
instruction is in English. Efficient communication both in oral and written
forms with students, faculty, and staff at PSU is critical in order to
provide positive learning experience at PSU. Lastly, but certainly not the
least, the scholar should be passionate about working with diverse and
non-traditional students and to be actively engaged in various
communities in the region.
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Project Information
Form Title
Project Information
Current Experience*
Describe your institution's
current and previous experience
with international or world area
studies programs, and, if
applicable, making sure to
include the role of any prior S-I-
R awards your institution may
have received.
The Department of World Languages and Literatures offers a wide
range of language and literature courses. More recently, PSU offers
faculty-led courses in some area, mostly countries in Europe and South
America. There are several institutes and centers relevant to area
studies, such as the Institute for Asian Studies, the Middle Eastern
Studies Center, and the Center for Japanese Studies at PSU. These
institute and centers offer series of lectures, cultural events, and support
for faculty and students interested in these areas. Currently, we are not
offering any degrees or certificates for world area studies.
While we have hosted a number of Fulbright Vising Scholars at PSU
over time, our records indicate that we have not received any S-I-R
awards in the past.
Internationalization Goals*
Describe the programs that will
be enhanced by the
participation of the proposed
Scholar-in-Residence. Clearly
state your institution's current
internationalization goals (one
to five years) in terms of
developing, expanding or
strengthening international,
As the largest public urban campus in Oregon, PSU is committed to
embracing cultural differences among our students and faculty, and
acceptance, dignity, and peaceful understanding about our society
through education and collaborative research. By engaging in
innovative partnerships, PSU provides opportunities for our students to
become global citizens, and to raise PSUs growing capacity to excel as
a globally-recognized institution.
In particular, coming out of the pandemic circumstances and with new
leaderships on campus in 2023, PSU has recently developed a 2030
vision, and its core commitments are to build cultural competency and
to advance equity. Toward the vision, we are committed to helping our
diverse students and faculty on campus engage with international
scholars and their institutions. The Fulbright SIR program will allow us
to get closer toward the 2030 vision and its goal, and open doors for
developing internationalized programs over the next few years.
Fulbright Impact*
Please share why the Fulbright
Program with its mission of
fostering a more peaceful world
through person-to-person
cultural exchanges is the right
partner to support this program
and your institution's
internationalization goals.
The Fulbright Program SIR program will provide an excellent
opportunity for PSU to educate better understandings about culture
outside of the United States, and ultimately to nurture a more
peaceful/harmonious environment on campus and beyond. PSU as well
as the city of Portland and the State of Oregon have been historically
white dominant, with interpersonal relationships with ones outside their
own race and ethnic groups overall remain relatively sparse.
As mentioned elsewhere in this application, PSU has been recently
recognized as an Asian American and Native American, Pacific Islander
Serving Institution, and our institution has been eager to improve our
curriculum to meet the demands for our students. This proposal actively
seeks to be aligned with PSU's mission to engage in and support
dynamic and wide-ranging partnerships by bringing the scholar to the
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Project Information (continued)
campus to serve our students and faculty, which would be an important
first step forward for the mission.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility*
(i.e. how will your institution
ensure diverse students,
faculty, and community
members benefit from this
Fulbright exchange?).Program
beneficiaries
Students and faculty at PSU and community members in the area will
greatly benefit from this Fulbright exchange: 1. The courses offered by
the scholar concerning Korea and Korean America will benefit our
students directly; 2. Our faculty members will greatly appreciate
research shared by the scholar, opening up an opportunity for future
collaboration; and 3. Lastly, our strong Korean communities will
welcome engagements of the scholar in the various community
activities.
(i.e. how will the scholar's
teaching and programming
engage with DEIA
topics?)Subject matter content
The scholar’s teaching and mentoring will directly contribute to our
ongoing efforts to improve the DEIA at the university. First, the courses
concerning Korea and Korean America will increase our current
curricula concentrated on the United States. Second, the scholar will
provide us with new perspectives as we discuss equity within the
department. Lastly, the scholar will mentor many international students
as well as students with Asian backgrounds, increasing inclusion and
accessibility.
(how will the scholar learn first-
hand about the diversity of
America and Americans through
your proposed
program?Scholar experience
Our student body is very diverse, in terms of age, gender/sexuality,
race/ethnicity, learning disability status, and PSU is actively engaged in
discussions of improving our learning environments for all of our
students. Thus, the scholar will learn about how PSU thrives for our
teaching excellence by learning about ageism, Title IX, and structured
racism, universal design for learning, and academic accommodations,
and ways to incorporate them into their course designs.
Sustainability*
Describe your plans following
the end of the Fulbright
exchange period. How will your
institution sustain the impact of
the scholar's presence on your
campus after the scholar
returns home and after Fulbright
Program direct support has
ended?
In order to sustain the impact of the scholar’s presence on our campus,
I will explore ways to meet the demands for sociology courses covering
contemporary Korea. First, I will try to work with existing faculty
members at PSU to continuously offer the courses covered by the
scholar after the scholar returns home and after Fulbright Program
direct support has ended. Given dynamic discussions at PSU toward
interdisciplinary approaches for teaching and mentoring our students, I
believe that it is a good time to invent courses for team teaching cross-
listed multiple disciplines.
In addition, I will explore ways to develop further internationalization on
campus. For example, faculty-led courses for Korea, and dual degree
programs with the scholar’s university as well as other universities in
Korea would be feasible options that would be much worth pursuing for
our students. I am very excited that the scholar’s presence will facilitate
discussions toward this internationalization effort.
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Institutional Support
Form Title
Institutional Support
Cost Sharing and In-Kind Support*
In-Kind support amount*
$
Salary supplement amount*
$6,000
Please provide additional details
regarding available support.*
I will try to find resources to provide the scholar with the salary
supplement for six months ($1,000 per month), so the scholar can
defray the cost living in Portland when they teach the courses during the
winter and spring term in 2026.
How do faculty members and
students typically travel around
in your area?* (Select all that
apply)
Public Transportation
Getting Rides with Students/Faculty
Bicycle
Car
Carpool
Is your institution able to
provide any direct support with
transportation to the S-I-R?*
No
Housing:
Is your institution able to
providing on or near campus
housing (at no cost to the
scholar)?*
No
Is your institution able to
provide assistance with
securing on or near campus
housing that the scholar must
cover the costs of?*
No
Is your institution able to
provide general advice and
resources on how to seek
housing in your local
community?*
Yes
Please describe this support in
greater detail.*
I can certainly share information about school districts, transportation
options, shopping malls, and housing market in Portland, and will also
provide local realtors to the scholar when the scholar is looking for
housing in the Portland area.
Is your institution able to
provide any support for housing
that isn’t captured above?*
No
Workspace:
Will office space be provided?*
Yes
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Institutional Support (continued)
Is the workspace shared or
private?*
6b53ab2b-c658-4c8e-8603-c770115163f7
Please describe the workspace
your institution is able to
provide to your visitor.*
The Department of Sociology will find an office space for the scholar in
Cramer Hall on campus.
Professional Enrichment*
Professional Enrichment
There are a variety of academic activities I am planning to arrange for
the scholar to pursue their scholarly work. First, I will work closely with
the scholar to discuss a collaborative project that we can work together
during the stay at PSU. While the scholar will take the lead, I will work
with them as a co-author. I will invite them to my research lab meetings
so the scholar can share research-in-progress with my graduate
students.
Second, I can invite the scholar to give a talk at the Department of
Sociology and/or the Institute for Asian Studies at PSU, so the scholar
will have an opportunity to disseminate their academic work with not
only students and faculty but also the general audience. Third, I will
introduce the scholar to several conferences, such as annual meetings
of Association of Asian Studies, International Conference of Sociology
of Korea, the Pacific Sociological Association, Population Association of
America, and American Sociological Association.
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Post Office Box 751
503-725-3514 tel
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751
www.pdx.edu/clas
Dear review committee members of the Fulbright SIR Program:
I am writing to offer my enthusiastic support for Dr. Hyeyoung Woo's application to the
Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) Program at Portland State University (PSU) for 2025-
2026. As the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs of the College of Liberal Arts
& Sciences at PSU, I believe that hosting a Fulbright SIR in the Department of Sociology would
make an excellent contribution to expanding the existing curricular toward diverse and
decentralized course offerings in the Department. Given her many years of experience of hosting
international visiting scholars, Dr. Woo would be an ideal faculty host of the scholar. I am
confident that Dr. Woo will run the Fulbright SIR program very successfully at PSU.
From what I have seen over 15 years, Dr. Woo has been building an impressive research
program as a sociologist, and I have witnessed conferences, workshops, academic talks, and
networking events that she has organized on campus. In addition, since Dr. Woo was elected as
chair of the department, she has been exploring ways to increase diversity and inclusion in the
sociology curriculum. At the same time, I am well aware that she has been very passionate about
developing a Korean Studies program at PSU as the Director of the Institute for Asian Studies.
To me, hosting a Fulbright SIR in the Department of Sociology for courses based on Korean case
is an excellent way to pursue a diverse and inclusive curriculum at PSU. Korea is such an
interesting country in many important ways, and yet, we have not been able to cover as many
topics as we like to offer other than Korean languages. In particular, given the substantial
proportion of Asian Americans on campus and PSU has recently been designated as an Asian
American Native American Pacific Islander serving institution, I am sure the Korea-related
courses will attract many students on campus. Portland serves as a main gateway for many Asian
countries, and I would be very excited to welcome a Fulbright SIR to PSU.
If given an opportunity to host the scholar, I will work closely with Dr. Woo to ensure that the
courses offered by the scholar are well coordinated not only in the Department of Sociology but
also in other disciplines within the College. PSU is unable to offer housing for the scholar.
However, we might be able to provide stipend as a part time adjunct faculty salary. I am sure that
Dr. Woo will also provide the scholar with access to the library and a shared office space, and I
will support her efforts in any way I can.
Dr. Woo is an outstanding scholar and leader whose passion for Sociology and Korean Studies is
truly inspiring. Her extensive experience in hosting international visiting scholars, including
Fulbright scholars, community engagements, and conference organizations over the years, makes
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her an ideal candidate for this prestigious program. Moreover, Dr. Woo embodies the values of
the Fulbright Program, including mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and global
engagement, and her genuine enthusiasm for developing diverse curricular at PSU by offering
Korean Studies related courses in Sociology will undoubtedly help our students experience
enriched educational opportunity at PSU.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Hyeyoung Woo’s application to host a Fulbright
Scholar-in-Residence at PSU during the year of 2025-2026. This program may lead to more
opportunities for PSU to develop exciting programs that would benefit PSU students and faculty
as well as community in Portland/Oregon.
Should you require any further information or clarification regarding Dr. Hyeyoung Woo's
application or suitability for the purpose of the program, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for considering her application.
Sincerely,
Dr. Heejun Chang
Professor of Geography
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs
Portland State University
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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Post Office Box 751
503-725-3514 tel
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751
www.pdx.edu/clas
June 2, 2024
To: Fulbright SIR application review committee members:
I am writing in my strongest support of Dr. Hyeyoung Woo’s application to host a Fulbright
Scholar-in-Residence for 2025-2026 at Portland State University (PSU). As the Dean of the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at PSU, I have been impressed by the work Dr. Woo has
done as the Chair of the Department of Sociology as well as the Director of the Institute for
Asian Studies (IAS) in attempting to expand our curricular to reflect our diverse student body at
PSU and to increase our understandings about Asian Studies. This application is well aligned
with her commitment to offering quality educational opportunities for our students and
fostering international exchange and collaboration for our institution.
Dr. Woo is an exceptional scholar whose research is dedicated to minority health and Korean
Studies, and as shown in her CV, she has a prolific research record with a number of scholars in
Korea as well as various institutions in the United States. Additionally, she is truly a community
builder who works tirelessly to bring people together by organizing workshops and conferences
and creating mentoring opportunities for students and junior scholars. She also has hosted a
number of international visiting scholars from Korea over the years. Through all the work, she
has well demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of fostering research and
teaching environments and promoting global engagement and collaboration.
Located in downtown Portland, PSU is the largest urban university in the State of Oregon and
has been recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving
institution. As we try to create a more welcoming and enriching learning environment for
students from diverse backgrounds, and to offer curricula that meet our demands for the
current dynamic society, I am extremely pleased that Dr. Woo is applying for this program that
can make direct impacts on our campus.
To reiterate, hosting a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence aligns perfectly with our institution’s
mission to promote cross-cultural understanding and academic excellence. Dr. Woo’s
experience, expertise, and enthusiasm will undoubtedly enhance the Fulbright Scholar
Program, enriching the academic experience of both our students and faculty. I have no doubt
that Dr. Woo will serve as an outstanding host, providing invaluable support and guidance to
the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence. Dr. Woo’s work with the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence will
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further foster meaningful connections and facilitate mutual learning opportunities, which will
benefit both PSU and Kangwon National University where the candidate Fulbright Scholar-in-
Residence works as a faculty member, and contribute to the success of the program.
In conclusion, I enthusiastically support Dr. Woo’s application to host a Fulbright Scholar-in-
Residence in the Department of Sociology at PSU. Her unwavering commitment to excellence,
coupled with her passion for international engagement, make her an ideal candidate for this
role.
Thank you very much for considering Dr. Hyeyoung Woo’s application. Please feel free to
contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Todd Rosenstiel, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Office of Global Engagement and Innovation
Post Office Box 751 503-725-8246
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751 ron.witczak@pdx.edu
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with my great pleasure to write this letter of support for Dr. Hyeyoung Woo’s application to
host a Fulbright scholar-in-residence in the Department of Sociology at Portland State University
(PSU) for the year of 2025-2026. As Executive Director of the Office of Global Engagement and
Innovation (OGEI) and Director of Education Abroad at PSU, I have been working closely with Dr.
Woo over the past few years since she was elected to be Director of the Institute for Asian Studies
(IAS). Dr. Woo has hosted a number of visiting scholars, including Fulbright ones, very
successfully, and based on her experience and passion for expanding our curricula by introducing
area studies to our campus, I believe that hosting a Fulbright scholar-in-residence at PSU will
significantly contribute to our academic community and enhance our institution's global
engagement.
PSU is recognized as an Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institute, and yet, there is still
a significant lack of courses covering Asian Studies. In particular, despite a growing demand for
Korean Studies at PSU, there is no sociology courses concerning contemporary Korea. Looking at
the expertise of the scholar that Dr. Woo would like to bring, it is clear that her courses will
strengthen not only Korea Studies related course offering for the IAS, but also overall sociology
courses in the Department of Sociology. Moreover, based on the long-term collaborative
relationship that Dr. Woo has cultivated with the scholar, I am very confident that the scholar will
also benefit from her stay at PSU for her teaching and research career.
At PSU, we are committed to fostering an environment that encourages academic excellence and
cross-cultural exchange. The scholar’s presence will further this mission in several ways, including
teaching and mentorship, community engagement, and building dual degree programs/student
exchange program, and I will support Dr. Woo’s endeavor to carry out these missions. Our office is
prepared to support the scholar during her stay. We will provide access to library resources, and a
collaborative academic environment. Additionally, we will assist with logistical arrangements to
ensure her transition is smooth and welcoming.
In conclusion, I strongly endorse Dr. Woo’s application to host the Scholar-In-Residence as an
international scholar. The scholar will undoubtedly make significant contributions to our academic
community and help us achieve our goals of academic excellence and global engagement. I am
confident that the scholar’s stay at our institution will be mutually beneficial and lead to lasting
collaborations.
Thank you for considering this application. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further
information or if I can assist in any way.
Sincerely,
Ron Witczak
Executive Director of the Office of Global Engagement and Innovation
Director of Education Abroad
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June 2, 2024
To whom it may concern
I am pleased to write this letter in support of Dr. Hyeyoung Woo’s application for the
Fulbright -Scholar-in-Residence program. Portland State University has been offering
Korean language and culture courses through our department for over three decades.
Recent growth of student demand for Korean language courses is remarkable thanks to the
popularity of Korean music and drama. We usually offer two sections of the First-Year
Korean Language course at the beginning of an academic year along with one section for
each of the Second-Year and the Third-Year Korean Courses. The range of student
enrollments is from 15 to 30 for these language courses. We have been offering Korean
culture courses two to three times a year. They enroll 50 to 60 students. If a Fulbright
scholar comes to Portland State, many students will benefit from the scholar through
various activities such as courses on topics outside of those currently offered and
community outreach such as public lecture events.
In terms of the program’s personnel, currently Ms. YoungJuo Han who is a non-tenure
track faculty directs the Korean program along with two part-time instructors. The
Fulbright S.I.R. will be a great addition to the faculty. The Korean program is a non-degree
program, however, we are in the process of submitting a proposal to implement a minor in
Korean within the department of World Languages. If the proposal is approved the
Fulbright S.I.R. will enhance the degree program, enabling students to have more variety in
courses. Our department has long-term experience of receiving Fulbright scholars, and we
welcome any international visiting scholars. We are more happy to welcome a Fulbright
S.I.R. at any time and will do our best to make the S.I.R. feel comfortable and well-
integrated in our department.
I strongly support Dr. Hyeyoung Woo’s application for the Fulbright S.I.R. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
Suwako Watanabe
Professor of Japanese and Chair
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of World Languages and Literatures
Post Office Box 751
503-725-3522 tel
Portland, Oregon 97207-0751
world@pdx.edu
Fariborz Maseeh Hall 315
www.pdx.edu/world-languages
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May 23, 2024
Dear IIE Fulbright S.I.R. Review Committee:
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of support for the S.I.R. Fulbright application that is being
submitted by Dr. Hyeyoung Woo of Portland State University. Dr. Woo is the chair of the Sociology
Department and director of the Institute for Asian Studies. I’ve discussed this application with Dr. Woo
and I lend my support as both the Fulbright Scholar Liaison (and FPA) and as a Fulbright alumna (IEA
Japan 2014) serving as a board member of the Fulbright Association Oregon Chapter as Treasurer (2014
to present).
Although I’ve served as our institution’s Fulbright liaison and advisor for 20 years, PSU has never had a
S.I.R. Fulbright Visiting Scholar. We have received scholars and student on other types of Foreign
Fulbright awards and we have sent numerous U.S. students and scholars to other countries (including
Korea) on various types of Fulbright programs. I believe the time is right for a S.I.R. award to PSU.
As an urban public R2 research university, PSU provides support to our visiting scholars that includes
orientation and periodic advisor check-ins, email and library access, academic innovation workshops,
teaching resources, faculty research support, as well as tips on finding housing, learning about our city
and its best transportation options, and opportunities to join groups visiting historical sites and the great
outdoors--things that make Portland, Oregon a desirable location.
The Fulbright Association Oregon Chapter also offers opportunities to bring Fulbrighters together,
sometimes in the form of coffee hours and happy hours, receptions and scholarly presentations, or
excursions to the Mt Hood Wilderness area, the Columbia Gorge, Multnomah Falls, and to the Oregon
Coast. A recent event hosted by our Chapter gave Fulbrighters a chance to play cricket at Oregon State
University, in Corvallis, Oregon. Other past events have included international movie night, sailing on
the Willamette River, and camping/hiking trips. Each year’s events are a little different but all are good
ways to interact with the community.
In particular, this proposal to bring a Korean teaching scholar to PSU is relevant to our current goals in
adding a Korean language minor and boosting course offerings on Korean Studies for the benefit of
students, scholars, and community members. The Korean American population in Oregon today is
around 25,000, a lower number than our West Coast neighbors but one that is growing. In my dual roles,
I stand ready to support a S.I.R. Fulbrighter from Korea. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Debra Clemans
Fiscal Officer; Director of Fulbright/Boren Programs
Office of Global Engagement & Innovation, Portland State University
Fulbright IEA Alumna, Japan 2014
Fulbright Association Oregon Chapter, Board Member & Treasurer
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May 31, 2024
Dear members of the Fulbright SIR Program review committee:
I am very excited to write this letter of support for the application that Dr. Hyeyoung Woo is
submitting to the Fulbright SIR Program. Dr. Woo has been a strong advocate for Korean
Language and Korean Studies courses at Portland State University since she took the
directorship at the Institute for Asian Studies at Portland State University, as a section head of
Korean Language program at the Department of World Languages and Literatures, I can see a
significant contribution that a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence will make to our campus. I have
known Dr. Woo for many years since I started working in my department and I am very
confident that she will be an excellent host of the scholar, whose experience at PSU will also be
beneficial for the scholar.
Portland State University values excellence in teaching, and partly due to the location in the
downtown Portland – the largest city in the State of Oregon that serves as a main port in the
Pacific Northwest, our students are very diverse with high proportions of minority students and
non-traditional students who are eager to learn about current society and acquire skills and
cultural competency for local governments, non-profit organizations, and transnational job
markets. This demand has been clearly reflected in my courses in recent years, in that overall
enrollments in Korean Language courses have been growing significantly. Because my students
in Korean courses often ask if there are other social science courses where they can learn about
contemporary Korea, I am very glad that Dr. Woo is putting in this application to bring a scholar
who will offer sociology courses concerning interesting issues in current Korea, which has been
significantly lacking at Portland State University.
Additionally, I would like to emphasize how well Dr. Woo is connected with faculty members
from various disciplines who are interested in Korean Studies on campus, scholars of her area at
various institutions in the United States as well as in Korea, and Korean communities in
Portland/Oregon. I have seen numerous talks, conferences, workshops, and social networking
events that she has organized over the years on and off campus. Additionally, she has been very
generous with her time to work with Korean communities. This level of connections with both
academic and non-academic communities is very rare, and I am sure the Fulbright Scholar-in-
Residence will greatly benefit from having Dr. Woo as a faculty host during their stay through
opportunities of teaching and mentoring students, engaging with faculty interested in potential
collaboration, and supporting local communities.
In sum, I am delighted to be a part of Dr. Woo’s application by offering this letter of support, and
would be very excited to work with her as well as the scholar, who will make a significant
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impact on our academic community by enriching the educational experiences of our students and
by opening up further opportunity to develop our Korean Studies program.
Thank you very much for considering this application. Please let me know if I can provide any
additional information about Dr. Woo’s application.
Sincerely,
Young Juo Han
Section Head of Korean Program
Department of World Languages and Literatures
Portland State University
Office: FMH M321
1855 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
Tel: (503) 725-5937
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