Honoring Belinda Zeidler: A Legacy of Service, Mentorship, and Student Success
After an incredible 39 years of service, Belinda Zeidler—a pillar of the Applied Health & Fitness and Undergraduate advising and internship programs—is retiring from Portland State University (PSU) and the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH). Hired in 1986 right after completing her graduate studies at PSU, Zeidler has helped shape the foundation and future of undergraduate advising and the internship program at PSU and SPH for nearly four decades.
A first-generation college graduate and the first of four children to attend college, Zeidler’s journey to higher education was one of perseverance and purpose. She worked her way through college, starting at Mt. Hood Community College before transferring to Portland State, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Anthropology followed by a graduate degree in Exercise Science.
Belinda was hired straight out of graduate school to lead PSU’s Health and Fitness for Life program, a required course that introduced thousands of students to the fundamentals of wellness and lifelong health. Her deep understanding of curriculum and her natural leadership skills soon led her to more influential roles, including Chair of Undergraduate Curriculum, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and ultimately, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Her strategic thinking and student-centered approach were instrumental in building the infrastructure for PSU’s current undergraduate advising and internship programs. Alongside her colleague Jane Mercer, Belinda designed systems and support that remain vital to student success today.
For Zeidler, the heart of her career has always been to serve the students. Her greatest joy and accomplishment has been mentoring and advising generations of learners. That passion was recently recognized when she received the 2025 Student Leadership Council Faculty Award for Excellence in Service—a fitting tribute to her decades of commitment, care, and impact.
“I just love students—figuring out their academic journey and career goals is like a fun puzzle we get to solve together. Curriculum, course design, teaching pedagogy—I geek out on all of it. I’ve met students anywhere they needed me because their success drives me. They are an amazing, unique population, and it’s been an honor to support them.”
Belinda’s retirement marks the close of an era, but the systems she built, the students she guided, and the community she shaped will carry her legacy forward.
Thank you, Belinda Zeidler, for 39 years of unwavering service, leadership, and dedication to student success. You have changed lives—and we are forever grateful.