Meet the expert

Valerie Johnson currently serves as Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Oregon, where she provides strategic leadership across sport administration, student-athlete development, and program operations for one of the nation’s premier athletic departments. A veteran administrator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education and athletics, Johnson is known for her student-centered approach and commitment to inclusive excellence.

Prior to joining the Ducks, Johnson (formerly Cleary) served as Director of Athletics at Portland State University from 2017 to 2021. During her tenure, she oversaw the opening of the Viking Pavilion, a transformative facility that now serves as the home for basketball and volleyball and includes dedicated spaces for academic support, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine. She also led key coaching hires in men’s basketball, track and field, women’s soccer, and both tennis programs. Under her leadership, PSU captured the 2019 Big Sky Championship in women’s basketball, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

Following her time at PSU, Johnson stepped away from collegiate athletics for what she refers to as a sabbatical year, serving as Director of Club Athletics and Wellness at the Multnomah Athletic Club from August 2021 to December 2022. There, she expanded her administrative toolkit, managing diverse recreational programs and wellness initiatives at one of the nation’s largest private athletic clubs. The experience provided a valuable new perspective on the broader landscape of athletics and deepened her leadership skills outside the traditional intercollegiate model.

Before her tenure at Portland State, Johnson served as Athletic Director at Willamette University, where she led a comprehensive NCAA Division III program. She previously held admissions roles at Pacific University and spent six years at Boise State University in student-athlete academic support and development roles, including Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement Programs and BroncoLIFE Coordinator.

Her influence extends beyond campus boundaries. Johnson has served on national and conference committees, including the Sport Oregon, Collegiate Sports Summit Governing Body, the Green Sports Alliance Collegiate Committee, and the Board for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from California State University, Chico, with emphases in Sociology, Multicultural, and Gender Studies. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Long Beach, with a focus on student development in higher education.

With a career defined by purpose-driven leadership, Valerie Johnson continues to champion environments where student-athletes can thrive academically, athletically, and personally. Her cross-sector experience and unwavering dedication make her a valued leader in the field of college athletics.