Meet Our Director of Leadership | University of Portland

Meet Our Director of Leadership

This photo is of Dave Houglum in front of a river

Meet Dr. Dave Houglum

Hi Friends,

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...

Click here to learn more about our Leadership Director, Dr. Houglum