Dr. Bryan Makinen has been named associate vice president for facilities management and safety at Eastern Kentucky University. Makinen’s role will provide him the opportunity to serve the university’s physical plant, engineering and construction, grounds, structures, and maintenance in addition to his previous role serving the police department, environmental health & safety, emergency management & security, risk management & insurance and other critical areas.
“Bryan Makinen is a highly accomplished servant-leader. With his broad skillset and array of talents, I know that he will lead the new EKU Facilities Management & Safety Division to greater heights,” said Barry Poynter, senior vice president for finance and administration. “I have no doubt that Bryan will bring a host of new and fresh ideas to the table; and he will continually instill in our Facilities Management & Safety teams a caring and ‘service excellence’ motivation that will have a significant and positive impact on the university experiences of our students, faculty, and staff.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead with the guiding principles of integrity, fairness, good health, commitment to excellence, and helping others who are in need. The small things matter and I believe we are charged with making the world a better place tomorrow because of our work today,” Makinen said. “My desire is to help each member of our team realize the full potential we have in each of us. Finding the best fit, given a recognized set of responsibilities, for each member of our team is critical in providing an environment where passion, growth and ownership are fostered to achieve the highest level of success.”
Makinen has been instrumental in leading the EKU response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring learning, working and living conditions on campus are as safe and health-conscious as possible while shepherding the university toward a pragmatic, well-organized plan for a full return to campus life, which is planned for this fall. He has been heralded for the university’s involvement in vaccination opportunities for students and community members. His team’s work in university insurance claims has been lauded with awards from the university’s insurer KEMI in consecutive years.
“I am humbled and honored to serve the divisions of public safety and facilities management at my alma mater,” Makinen said. “These divisions are comprised of talented, dedicated professionals who care about our community and place service above self.”
Makinen is a three-time graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Safety and Risk Management, ‘99, a master’s degree in Public Health ‘06, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, ‘19.