UCF’s College of Business Administration is pleased to announce Dr. Darrell Johnson as the new Executive Director of the Office of Professional Development (OPD). Dr. Johnson will be responsible for leading the OPD and helping students navigate the curriculum.
“We are thrilled to have Darrell on board. He has a wealth of experience in a variety of leadership positions in higher education, most recently at The Ohio State University,” said UCF College of Business Dean Paul Jarley, Ph.D. “His background in professional development and leadership will benefit the OPD and the many students it serves.”
Most recently Dr. Johnson served as CEO and principal consultant at D. D. Johnson & Associates, LLC, providing executive and personal success coaching, leadership development, customized trainings, strategic planning facilitation and culture transformation.
He also has had multiple leadership positions in higher education. Before forming his own consultancy, he was the Director of the Office of Continuing Education at The Ohio University. Prior to that, he oversaw the extended university programs and e-learning at Western Michigan University. He also authored the user-friendly leadership development workbook, “Transformative Leadership: A Personalized Strategic Development Plan for Exemplary 21st Century Leaders.”
“The Office of Professional Development is here to help today’s business students prepare to enter the workforce, stand out among their peers and achieve their goals,” Dr. Johnson said. “I look forward to working with the OPD staff to ensure we are providing the tools, services and counseling our students need to chart a course for career success.”
The Office of Professional Development (OPD) provides both academic advising and career coaching services to students. Staffed by experienced human resource professionals, career coaches work to help students develop their career plan from the day they start classes in the college.