Rate My Professor Kris Cowan

Kris Cowan is a full-time instructor in the Building Construction Technology program at Portland Community College, with a focus on the Hands-On track that equips students with practical skills for residential construction careers such as framing and finishing. A former student in PCC's Construction Management program, Cowan transitioned from industry experience at Habitat for Humanity to academia, filling a key faculty position and earning continuous appointment effective September 1, 2019. He serves as SAC Chair for Building Construction Technology and co-chair of the department, guiding program direction and faculty efforts.

Cowan has driven curriculum enhancements emphasizing sustainability and industry relevance, updating BCT 120 and BCT 121 to teach intermediate and advanced framing techniques, and revising BCT 128 on exterior finishes. He presented 'Thermal Enclosure: Past, Present, and Future' at JLC Live in November 2017 and is enrolled in the year-long Earth Advantage Sustainable Homes Professional course. Leading Dual Credit initiatives, Cowan conducts evaluations of high school instructors, oversees 72 course offerings across districts, and visits schools like St. Helens to promote CTE pathways. He co-developed curriculum for Beaverton School District's after-school program and facilitates community-based learning, integrating Habitat for Humanity projects into courses like BCT 120, BCT 128, and BCT 203, including a Women Build day. Cowan constructed an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Portland in 2017, leveraging prior similar projects, and participates in events like PSU Build Lab on ADUs and tiny houses. In college news, he described the Hands-On program as enabling students to build a tiny house from top to bottom, underscoring its comprehensive training.