Profile

Formed in September 2007, HATS provides high quality, accessible and self-supporting campus services for students, staff, faculty, and the greater Portland community. John's role as executive director includes overseeing the everyday operations of housing, transportation, and parking, as well as helping define the university's strategic vision and long-range plans for student housing, parking, transportation, and other auxiliaries. He also serves as PSU's Chief Housing Officer and directs the summer conference program, residential dining, and custodial and maintenance services.

In recent years, PSU's residential program has grown by more than 100 percent. More than 1,900 students now live on campus, and that number is expected to nearly double again over the next 10 years. John and his staff are positioned to meet the infrastructure and program planning needs that come with these changes. By partnering with academic and student affairs leaders, as well as other key auxiliary managers, HATS is focused on creating a seamless living-learning environment for PSU students. A particular area of interest for John is working with students, faculty, Portland businesses and community members, and other stakeholders to create sustainable living and learning environments. His experience includes representing PSU during the building of the university's first two LEED (silver) certified mixed used residential buildings: The Broadway and Stephen Epler Hall.

John has more than 12 years' experience in all aspects of university housing and has worked on both traditional and urban university campuses. He came to PSU in 2001; prior to his current position, he served as assistant director of Auxiliary Enterprises and earlier as an advisor to Student Activities and Leadership Programs. Previously, he worked as assistant director of student activities at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, area manager of housing and residential life at New York University in New York City, and manager of residential life at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

John has a master's degree in college student personnel administration from the University of Indiana (1995), and a bachelor's degree in planning, public policy and management from the University of Oregon (1993). He also recently completed the four-year Business Management Institute sponsored by the Western Association of College and University Business Officers.

Contact John Eckman