Flo Johnson Named Executive Director of University Housing

Flo Johnson, who has been serving in an interim role as executive director for University Housing for the past eight months, has been named executive director for university housing, the Division of Student Affairs announced.

"Florence Johnson has shown, in this time of incredible growth in enrollment and housing demand, a steady and accomplished hand in facing very difficult challenges,” said David Davies, assistant vice provost for the Division of Student Affairs. “We know that under her guidance housing will prosper for a long time."

Johnson started working for the office of university housing in the fall of 1990 as a work-study student in the office of Carlson Terrace, former family housing apartments where she lived with her family as a first-year student. She has an excellent history with university housing, having held various positions over the years from resident assistant, and apartment manager, to resident director, and assistant director for marketing and conferences as well as being in charge of residence education.

Johnson has served on numerous divisional, institutional and professional committees and has presented at regional and national conferences on topics of research, student development, training, first year experience, and more. She is a recipient of the Bob Cooke Distinguished Service Award from Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers. In 1994 Johnson graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and in May 1997 she completed her Master of Education in higher education. Prior to attending the University of Arkansas she was a private business owner.

"I am excited to continue working with the entire staff, as well as our many important partners at the university, in my new role as executive director. We have a great team of people in housing and here at the University of Arkansas," Johnson said. "Most people never get to see all that the housing staff does for students who live on campus. While our housing system is certainly their home away from home and we take all that means very seriously, it is also more than just a place to live, it’s a vibrant living, learning community designed specifically to support the academic mission of the university. I look forward to a closer collaboration with Residents’ Interhall Congress and the Resident Assistant Council. As we evaluate current residence halls and/or new facilities it will be important to listen to our students about what they need and want in their living environment.”

“Working together, university housing will continue to develop and provide important programs for residents that have an impact on retention to the university,” Johnson said. “We will continue to build our organization and serve our students based on a commitment to knowledge, process, communication and accountability – creating an environment where all can be exceptional.”