Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)
Summary of Experience
Online/Blended Higher Education
 7 months as Interim VPAA (Exec. Cabinet, 5 Dept. Chairs, 20 programs, 80+ faculty) at
Argosy University
 3+ years as Dept. Chair/Assoc. Professor (4 programs, 25+ faculty) at Argosy University
 3 years teaching online at BYU Idaho
Traditional Public/Private Higher Education
 9+ years administrative experiences in student services (i.e., admissions, fin. aid,
multicultural)
 2+ years as Assistant Professor/Faculty Director of Peer Mentoring at UVU
Other Leadership
 7+ years as founder/administrator of non-profit scholarship organization for at-risk students
 10+ years as volunteer regional administrator/trainer for The Boy Scouts of America
Leadership and Administrative Accomplishments
Director of Peer Mentoring, Utah Valley University (1/12-present)
Trainer/One who empowers
 Though newly hired, entrusted with program at a time of instability in program leadership
(“Of the three years, and the three directors that I have been through, I feel that Darin is the
most organized, dedicated, enthusiastic, visionary, and humble leader the program has seen
yet. I really feel that he is going to take it to the next level.” – Jeff, UV Mentor in end-ofsemester feedback)
 Within 6 months I transformed the organizational culture where Mentors were more
motivated and 60% (24) of the faculty reported Mentors are more well prepared than before
(the other 16 faculty reported high Mentor performance without a decrease)
 Immediately empowered and mentored 2 UV Mentors to conduct research and qualify for the
National Conference of Undergraduate Research
 Mentored 4 UV Mentors to submit fellowship proposals; 1 was accepted for $1,500
(presented at the 2012 Mentoring Institute Conference and is finalizing an article)
 Co-coordinated with CLSS 1000 lead instructor to provide a new comprehensive training
program between 50 faculty of CLSS 1000 sections and 50 UV Mentors
Innovator
 Facilitated volunteer mentoring (for the first time in 20 years of the program) in CLSS 1000
courses
 Sought approval to collaborate with lead instructors of other courses beyond CLSS 1000 to
expand influence of UV Mentors (piloted in 3 new courses Spring semester)
 Identified existing opportunity to expand influence of UV Mentor Program by adding 8
volunteer mentors Fall ’12 and Spring ’13 who served 155 additional students
Quality/Work Ethic (Research, Grants & Scholarly Work)
 Submitted $250,000 NSF Grant proposal as Principal Investigator to increase math
mentoring (collaborated with Women’s Success and Development Math)
 Collaborated on $188,203 TK Foundation Youth Development Grant (collaborated with two
other offices)
 Awarded 2 LDS Philanthropies grants ($17,000) and 2 GEL grants ($5,500)
1
Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)
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Between January – June 2013 I presented 11 local, national and international conference
presentations
Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Argosy University Salt Lake City (11/11-6/12)
Quality/Work Ethic
 Supervised 5 Department Chairs of 20 academic programs and 80+ faculty, while performing
full-time responsibilities as a faculty member and director at UVU
 Increased quantity and quality of faculty engagement online by 20% in 7 months
 Increased average IDEA student evaluation scores of 80+ faculty from 3.8 to 4.0 (out of 5) in
7 months
Trainer/One who empowers
 Under my leadership the Chair of Marriage and Family Therapy submitted a self-study
pursuant to COAMFTE accreditation
 The Chair of Clinical Mental Health Counseling converted a three-year CMHC master’s
program to two years and prepared for a CACREP self-study
Innovator
 Required to be innovative to manage most responsibilities remotely while working full-time
at UVU and without significant deterrents to performance (see accomplishments while at
UVU)
Department Chair, College of Undergraduate Studies, Argosy University SLC (10/08-11/11)
Quality/Work Ethic
 Earned 4 out of 5 on annual employee evaluation each of the three years (average is 3 out 5)
 Communication plan including faculty observations, new faculty mentoring, and regular
academic forums with students increased student evaluation ratings by 1 point (from a 3 to a
4 out of 5)
 ASP100 Skills for Success: took ownership of and “salvaged” Fall ’09 University-wide
launch (10,000+ undergraduate students) and became the subject matter expert, course
designer and trainer of 70+ faculty nationwide
 “He cares deeply about the success of the individual and provides to the student or faculty,
all the available tools and the resources to give the best chance for success.
He has the gift of attention to detail. Responsible for a complicated undergraduate course
schedule, Darin is able to manage it flawlessly. Times, instructors and dates are always
accurate. When a change is needed, he cheerfully makes it happen. He always looks for a
better way to do things, and is always open to a new idea. Darin is able to "see" clearly. He
can envision the future and plan for it. His ideas are relevant and doable, but will make you
stretch and grow. Darin is the perfect example of a well-rounded, thoughtful, intelligent, kind
man. He is the personification of the Boy Scout Law.” – Steve Merrill, Director of Student
Services, Argosy Univ.
Trainer/One who empowers
 ASP100 Skills for Success: Coordinated university (nation)-wide Webex trainings for 19
Chairs and 55+ Faculty each term, including post-session evaluation for ongoing curricular
improvements
 In only a three week turnaround, coordinated the Fall ’09 development, launch and
facilitation of the university-wide ‘Train the Trainer’ (UG Chair) faculty certification;
ongoing contributor (content and module creation) member of online Faculty Training team
2
Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)

Co-creator of Undergraduate Faculty Training Certification required of 300+ faculty prior to
teaching in any of the 19 campuses nationwide across Argosy University
 AUSLC campus eCollege faculty trainer and assisted 80+ faculty with course setup
 Campus Digital Assets Support Specialist for 80+ faculty and 300+ students
 Provided faculty training and mentoring during first semester for all UG faculty (50+)
Innovator
 Procured a sole partnership with Utah State HR to make Certified Public Manager®
curriculum available in a blended format as a stand-alone course or integrated with academic
programs (only partnership in Utah)
 Increased enrollments by 30% in AA and BA Psychology degrees through creation of a
value-added (and approved by DOPL) Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor program (only
the second approved program in Utah at the time)
Interim Department Chair, College of Educ., Argosy University Salt Lake City (10/08-12/09)
Quality/Work Ethic & Innovator
 Created (outreach, networks, curriculum, etc.) the only offsite M.Ed. cohort of 16 students by
conducting regular outreach with public and charter K-12 leadership (all 16 graduated)
Asst. Director/Advisor, Multicultural Student Srvcs., Brigham Young University (6/05-10/08)
Quality/Work Ethic
 Advised 600+ students (an increase of 300+ when we lost an advisor and could not hire)
 Known for quickly gaining confidence of multicultural students as a Caucasian
Trainer/One who empowers
 Created holistic student development plans for 100+ students, facilitating skills acquisition
(e.g. time management, study and literacy skills, goal setting) and ultimately graduation
Innovator
 Facilitated the creation of a volunteer leadership program in which 50+ student volunteers
learned to plan, budget, coordinate and carry out three college preparation programs catering
to 250+ youth and parent participants from Utah communities
 Established a first-year student development program for 150+ multicultural students
One Stop Student Services Advisor, Stud. Acad. and Advisement Srvcs., BYU (5/03-5/05)
 Selected as one of two financial aid counselors to pioneer the consolidation of two
administrative positions (admissions counselor and financial aid counselor) into one position.
 Within 1 month, learned and became fully functional in admissions counseling
responsibilities while maintaining financial aid counseling responsibilities
 Provided annual admissions and financial aid advisement to 5,000+ students
 Created an online customer service/evaluation mechanism serving 8000+ students
Financial Aid Officer, Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, BYU (10/02-5/03)
 Oversaw financial processing and counseling for 5,000+ students; identified by top
management as one of top two advisors (of 8) to be selected to pioneer an innovative job
consolidation (see above)
Call Center Coordinator, Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, BYU (11/00-10/02)
 Elevated performance and development of 20 lower level employees through creation of an
interactive online curriculum and training program on Blackboard; all were promoted and 4
sought and received additional promotion
3
Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)

Superior customer satisfaction as office ratings and compliments increased after
implementing online training
 Using Blackboard, created and facilitated first non-academic training program with
synchronous and asynchronous learning activities for a call center of 20 employees
Processor, Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, BYU (8/99-10/00)
 Within 3 months, became fully functional in a highly complex and federally regulated job
that regularly requires at least one year to master; quickly became processor trainer and
highly visible for quick promotion
Coordinating Supervisor, Sec. Language Tutoring, MTC (1998-1999)
 Coordinated over 10 foreign language tutoring programs serving over 200 missionaries each
month; provided one on one language and communication skills and instruction in Spanish
Teaching and Curricular Accomplishments
Assistant Professor, College Success Studies, Utah Valley University (8/11-present)
 CLSS 1000 Univ. Student Success (avg. Student Rating: 4.89/5 on 11 sections)
 CLSS 1000 Univ. Student Success for Latino high school students (SRI: 4.86/5)
 CLSS 2200 Leadership & Mentoring I (SRI: 4.96/5 on 3 sections)
 CLSS 2300 Leadership & Mentoring II (SRI: 4.96/5 on 1 section)
 CLSS 240R Leadership Mentoring Practicum (SRI: 4.79/5 on 4 sections)
 Member of curriculum committee for Student Affairs Leadership minor
 Contributed to department CLSS 1000 as an online and hybrid course
 Aligned CLSS 1000 to teach with ENGL 1010 in an Acad. Learn. Comm. Fall 2012-14
 First pilot group at UVU to incorporate the use of ePortfolios in curriculum Fall 2012
Adjunct Faculty, Argosy University Salt Lake City (11/11-present)
 ASP 1000 Skills for Success (avg. IDEA student evaluation: 4.7/5 on 8 sections)
Associate Professor (tenured), Argosy University Salt Lake City (9/08-11/12)
 Added curriculum content to existing BA Psychology degree to align with Utah State
licensing requirements for a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor program - proposed and
approved by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (one of only three
approved programs in Utah) – won Utah Best of State 2012 for curriculum development
 Hybrid undergraduate courses: Skills for Success, Diversity, Sociology, Psych. Capstone
(avg. IDEA student evaluation: 4.5/5 on 15 sections)
 Hybrid graduate courses: Leadership, Diversity, Research in Education, Capstone (avg. IDEA
student evaluation: 4.3/5 on 7 sections)
 SOC416: Timely course reviewer working with AU Online curriculum team
Online Adjunct Faculty, Brigham Young University Idaho (1/11-Present)
 COM 150 Interpersonal Communication (avg. student evaluation 6.76/7 on 8 sections – dept.
avg.: 5.89)
 SOC 111 – Introduction to Sociology (avg. student evaluation 6.31/7 on 2 sections – dept.
avg.: 5.45)
Textbook Reviewer, Flat World Knowledge Publisher (12/09-2/10)
 Skills for Success textbook
Volunteer Instructor, Orem Institute of Religion (9/02-12/02)
 Instruct 20+ college students in New Testament
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Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)
Instructor, Spanish Fork Senior Seminary (1/02-01/03)
 Facilitate learning and leadership opportunities for 80+ students in D&C and Book of
Mormon
Student Teacher and Girls Soccer Assistant Coach, Alta High School (9/98-12/98)
 Spanish I, II and III and Physical Education
Student Teacher, Lehi Junior High School (9/98-12/98)
 Spanish A and B and Physical Education
Teacher, Missionary Training Center (1996-1999)
 Taught Spanish, religion and communication skills in one on one and classroom settings
International Teaching/Leadership Experience
Argosy University – International Business Experience to France and Spain (2011)
 Created preparatory curriculum, coordinated and co-directed group of 12 MBA and DBA
students, interactions with business executives, local universities and US Embassy
LDS Missionary - Bahia Blanca, Argentina (1994-1996)
 Travel throughout mission during last 4 months to train 60+ local Argentine priesthood
leaders and 150+ missionaries
Community Leadership, Training, Service and Awards
Assistant District Commissioner, The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) (1/08-present)
 Train and oversee 9 Unit Commissioners who instruct and train 150+ volunteer leaders of
800+ children and adolescents in 9 LDS congregations
 Teacher at Commissioner College
 Fort Utah District Award of Merit (2012) for years of service to BSA
Unit Commissioner, BSA (11/03-5/07)
 Provide monthly training and support to 50+ adult leaders of Boy Scout units, including
Latino units
 Earned Arrowhead and Commissioner’s Key Awards for providing sustained training to 27
BSA units over 3 years
Merit Badge Counselor, BSA (11/03-present)
 Personal Management, Reading, Communications, Family Life, and Emergency
Preparedness
Eagle Project Counselor and Board of Review Chair, BSA (11/03-5/07)
 Facilitated preparation of 21 Eagle Scout candidates
 Conducted 18 Eagle Boards of Review
Advisory Boards
 Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter School (8/11-present)
o Advise on college readiness initiatives and preparation
 TEENS ACT educational non-profit organization (8/11-1/12)
 Fortis College (10/10-8/11)
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
President and Founder, Our TEAMS, Inc. (501c3), (11/06 to Present)
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Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)

An educational non-profit organization assisted over 200 disadvantaged and
underrepresented students K-12; currently focusing on scholarship fund and awarded two
Latina students at UVU
Shareholder/Operational Partner, The Charity Way, L3C and Gourmet Guac (7/10-7/11)
 Shareholder and operational partner of a startup company that in 6 weeks received the Utah’s
Own designation; product sold at several local markets and part of proceeds went to Our
TEAMS scholarship fund
Leadership Training
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Leadership Conference on Scouting at Philmont, The Boy Scouts of America (7/10)
Wood Badge trained at Thunder Ridge, The Boy Scouts of America (8/06)
Leadership Utah, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce (class of 2010),
Program Chair Academy, Education Management Corporation (1/09-6/09)
Leading Self, Education Management Corporation (12/08-5/09)
o Communication and Listening
o Influencing Others
o Interpersonal Skills
o Making Meetings Work
o Service Plus
o Taking Charge of Your Development
o Working Through Conflict
o Understanding Style Using the Organizational Analysis and Design
Leading Others, Education Management Corporation (3/09-5/09)
o Coaching Others
o Delegating for Results
o Essentials of Leadership
o Managing Conflict
o Managing Performance
o Managing the Law
o Talent Selection
o Leading Change
o Retaining Top Talent
o Talent Acquisition: Recruiting the Best
o Developing Others
Education
Brigham Young University
 Ed.D. (2012): Educational Leadership & Foundations
o Dissertation: Triggering Relationships that Contextualize the Pathway for Student
Success
 M.S. (2003): Sociology
o Thesis: The Crystallization of Academic Expectations in Adolescence
 B.A. (1999): Spanish Teaching
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Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)
Presentations, Publications, Mentored Research & Other Scholarly Work
Presentations
 Eckton, D. R. (2014). Learner-centered pedagogy: Overcome your fears and take the plunge,
presented at the Annual First-Year Experience Conference, San Diego, CA. February, 2014.
 Eckton, D. R. (2013). Creating the conditions for conversion, presented at the Utah Valley
University Religious Faith and Social and Applied Sciences Conference, Orem, UT, October
2013. Conference Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2013). Assessing first-year peer mentors for optimal success, presented at the
International Conference on the First-Year Experience, Waikoloa, HI. June 2013.
Conference Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2013). Improving your communication through an understanding of
personality types and learning styles, presented at Summer University, Orem, UT. May 2013.
Conference Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). A comprehensive mentoring program that maximizes campus
collaboration and student development, presented at the International Conference on the
First-Year Experience, Vancouver, BC, Canada. July 2012. Conference Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Creating the conditions in which students are motivated to act,
presented at the International Conference on the First-Year Experience, Vancouver, BC,
Canada. July 2012
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). A new advising model: The conditions for motivation, presented at the
Utah Advising & Orientation Association Conference, Midway, UT. May 2012. Conference
Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Helping others take ownership of and learning from their decisions,
presented at Summer University, Orem, UT. May 2012. Pre-conference Workshop.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Creating the conditions for lasting motivation, presented at Summer
University, Orem, UT. May 2012. Conference Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Multiple levels of student engagement through active learning and
research, presented at the 4th Annual Scholarship of Teaching and Engagement Conference,
Orem, UT. March 2012. Conference Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Student ownership of active learning in a first-year experience student
success course: A case study, presented at the Annual First-Year Experience Conference, San
Antonio. TX, February 2012.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). A new model of student motivation for success that carries significant
K-12 and higher education implications, presented at the Annual First-Year Experience
Conference, San Antonio, TX. February 2012. Poster Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Triggering relationships that contextualize and motivate, presented at
the Utah Valley University Conference by the Faculty, Orem, UT. January 2012. Conference
Presentation.
 Eckton, D.R. (2011). Triggering interest in and motivation for student success: A study of
Utah Latinos, presented at The Utah Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural
Education. Utah Valley University, Orem, UT. April 2011. Conference Presentation.
 Jayaraman, R. & Eckton, D. R. (2010). Skills for Success: Gateway course to help adult
learners be successful in college and life, presented at the Council for Adult and Experiential
Learning (CAEL) International Conference. San Diego, CA. November 2010. Roundtable
Presentation.
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Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)
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Eckton, D.R. (2005). How well are we really doing? Presented at Utah Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah.
June 2005. Conference Presentation.
Eckton, D.R. (2002). Breakups of romantic relationships, presented at the Pacific
Sociological Association. Vancouver, Canada. March 2002. Conference Presentation.
Guest lecturer/presenter for 100+ presentations in English and Spanish to prospective and
current college students on leadership, college preparation, financial and time management,
goal setting and other skills
Publications
 Eckton, D.R. & Palfreyman, S.R. (2013). Student ownership of active Learning in a first-year
experience student success course: A case study. (Publication pending in peer-reviewed
journal).
 Eckton, D.R. (2013). Triggering relationships that contextualize student success. (Publication
pending in peer-reviewed journal).
 Eckton, D.R. (2013). Student human capital development through social and cultural capital
influences. (Publication pending in peer-reviewed journal).
 Eckton, D.R. (2012). Triggering relationships that contextualize the pathway for success
among at-risk Hispanic students. (Doctoral dissertation).
 Eckton, D.R. (2003). The crystallization of academic expectations in adolescence. Brigham
Young University, Provo, UT. (Master’s thesis).
 Eckton, D.R. (2001). What do I need to do to make sure my financial aid is available when I
arrive at BYU for the fall semester? BYU Student Financial Aid & Scholarship Office.
Student-Mentored Research
 Lorz, J. & Eckton, D. R. (2014). Peer Mentor Successes in a Low-performing, Upper
Division Science Course, accepted to present at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate
Research, Provo, UT, February, 2014.
 Palfreyman, S.R. & Eckton, D.R. (2012). Student ownership of active Learning in a first-year
experience student success course: A case study. Presented at the 2012 Mentoring Institute
Conference, Albuquerque, NM, October 2012. Conference Presentation. (also approved for
$1,500 Summer of Undergraduate Research Fellowship from Utah Valley University).
 Palfreyman, S.R. & Hatch, S. (2012). Student ownership of active Learning in a first-year
experience student success course: A case study. Presented at the National Conference of
Undergraduate Research, Ogden, Utah, March 2012. Conference Presentation.
 Dollar, B. (2013). A comprehensive mentoring program that increases campus collaboration
and student development. To be presented at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate
Research, Logan, Utah, February 2013. Conference Presentation.
Other Scholarly Work
 Moderator at and reviewer of proceedings for the 2012 National Conference of
Undergraduate Research, Ogden, Utah.
 Proposal Reviewer for 32nd Annual (national) Conference on the First-Year Experience
(2013)
8
Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
436 S. 1740 W. Provo, UT 84601 – deckton@uvu.edu – 801-863-6449 (o) 801-310-9875 (c)
Skills & Other Training/Continuing Education
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Technology (LMS, Digital Assets, Desktop, etc.)
o Created curriculum in Canvas, eCollege, Blackboard and Brainhoney
o Very proficient in Microsoft Office
Research and Assessment
o Proficient in NVivo qualitative data analysis software
o Experience with SPSS quantitative data analysis software
o Very proficient in survey methodology and qualitative research methods
Linguistic
o Near native written and verbal fluency in Spanish (exclusive Spanish to children)
o Communicative in written Portuguese (took PORT 101/102 at BYU)
o Started learning Chinese (children in Chinese immersion)
Other
o First Aid & CPR Certified
o Eagle Scout at age 13
o Extra Class amateur radio license (call sign: W7DRE)
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