Rate My Professor Kirsten Eichstaedt

Kirsten Eichstaedt serves as the Senior Project Manager in Organisational Delivery within the Campus Development team at the University of Otago. Having completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University, she brings a deep familiarity with the institution. Eichstaedt returned to Otago in 2013 to work in the Residential Colleges sector and transitioned to the Campus Development team in 2021 amid the construction of Te Rangihīroa College, leveraging her specialized knowledge of college operations.

In her current role, she fosters strong partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders to align projects with departmental requirements, ensuring the delivery of operationally ready and purpose-built spaces for students (tauira), staff (kaimahi), and the broader University community. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated through her involvement in several key campus infrastructure projects. Notably, for Te Rangihīroa College—the University’s first purpose-built residential college in more than 50 years—Eichstaedt served as Project Manager for Campus and Collegiate Life Services Organisational Delivery. She contributed significantly to the innovative design, including wider hallways and corridors designed to encourage social interaction among residents, transforming initial drawings into realized spaces. The project's outstanding achievement was recognized when the team, including Eichstaedt, won the Aotearoa Construction Project of the Year award at the Project Management Institute of New Zealand awards in 2025. Furthermore, she managed the refurbishment of Cumberland College’s Castle Wing, ensuring its completion on schedule for the 2026 student move-in. Eichstaedt also supported the staff relocation efforts to make the Clocktower building more accessible for wider use. Beyond project management, she actively participates in university committees, including the Staff Women’s Caucus Committee, and serves as the Otago University Childcare Association (OUCA) Staff Representative. In 2025, she was awarded the South Island Education Trust Grant, highlighting her impact in the field.