Dr. Dave Houglum's Welcome Letter

Hi Friend,

My name is Dr. Dave Houglum and I am the Director of Leadership and Leadership Professor of Practice in the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation at the University of Portland. I have concurrent faculty appointments in the Pamplin School of Business, School of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences, at the University of Portland. I am originally from Soldotna, Alaska, where I grew up salmon fishing, hiking, and playing basketball under the midnight sun. Making music is also a very important part of my life. I play the piano, trumpet, guitar, ukulele, and sing. I also love international travel and adventure. I have traveled to 28 countries and I have a goal to explore all seven continents (two more to go – South America and Antarctica!). I have led servant leadership immersions and courses to Zambia, Philippines, Nicaragua (twice!), India, and New Zealand (twice!). I am passionate about educating leaders in the issues that matter most in our world, such as climate change, sustainability, indigenous rights and multiple ways of knowing, immigration, poverty, education, healthcare, and human trafficking.

I received a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington) and a Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership from Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington). This academic training in Leadership Studies prepared me with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to serve and lead effectively, as well as utilize my education to make a difference as a leadership administrator, educator, scholar, researcher, and coach/mentor. I have served as a leadership coach for numerous students and taught multiple courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. I am also the founder of a leadership coaching and consulting business called “Eye Level Leadership.” My education has equipped me to serve as a catalyst for the transformation of students, faculty, and staff, to serve as leaders who are able to respond to the needs of the world through hope, compassion, and lead for the common good.

I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Maybelle Center for Community in downtown Portland as the board Secretary on the Executive Board. Additionally, I am a published author and serve as a scholarly manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Leadership Education and the Journal of Leadership Studies and have recently presented at the top-tier International Leadership Association Global Conferences most recently in Brussels, Belgium, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Ottawa, Canada.

I have been married to my wife Melissa for 12 years and we have three kids who five-years-old and younger. We also have a seven-year-old playful Golden Retriever named Honey. I have traveled with my young family to Australia, Greece, Belgium, France, New Zealand, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the United Kingdom and dreams of showing them as much of the world as possible to inspire the next generation of difference-makers.

I am passionate about the study and practice of leadership. Above all, I have a desire to help students, faculty, and staff see more clearly, respond more ethically, and serve and lead more willingly in their personal and professional lives. It has been incredibly inspiring to see the numerous lives transformed through the Leader Certificate Program. I invite you to consider participating in a leadership course in the Franz Center to see what the intentional investment in your leadership education and development can make in your life and the lives of those around you.

Dave Houglum, Ph.D.

Director for Leadership & Leadership Professor of Practice