James November-December 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 25
DR. MICHELLE JOHNSTON was named
president of Georgia Southwestern State
University on June 1 after serving as president of the College of Coastal Georgia
since 2018. Johnston has over 25 years of
experience in higher education and has
also served as president of the University
of Rio Grande, and Rio Grande Community College in Ohio.
Johnston holds a bachelor’s degree
in piano performance from the University
of Alabama, a master’s degree in piano
performance from Louisiana State University, a Ph.D. in educational leadership
from Mississippi State University and a
post-doctorate in marketing and management from the University of Florida.
James content coordinator Rosser
Southerland posed these questions to
the new president.
JAMES Prior to being appointed by
the state Board of Regents to your
new presidency, you were praised by
Regents for your leadership and successful record while president of the
College of Coastal Georgia. How does
your prior educational experience
help you as you settle in to lead
Georgia Southwestern?
MICHELLE JOHNSTON “Education
done right” is about lifelong
learning. We have an important
responsibility on our college
and university campuses to
develop graduates who see
the value in and have a thirst
for learning and knowledge. The
same goes for our faculty and staff.
We should always have a growth and
development mindset in our lives.
From the time I taught my first
college class in 1993 to what I’ve been
involved in on our campus and in the
community today, there is always
something to learn, always something
to take forward. Those lessons and
experiences all relate to one thing: People. I lead with a “people first, mission
always” approach and with a focus on
positive, collaborative relationships.
JAMES What are the most sought-after
degrees and areas of study offered at
Georgia Southwestern?
JOHNSTON We offer over 85 majors,
minors, certificates, and professional
pathways. Our enrollment has grown
over 20 percent in the last two years,
with particularly strong growth in
our nursing, education, business, and
computer science programs. Our undergraduate and graduate programs
are getting a lot of attention because
of the reputation of our faculty, the
success of our alumni, and the overall
campus experience.
During the Presidential Plaza
Dedication Ceremony on our campus
in 2017, former United States President
and Georgia Southwestern alumnus
Jimmy Carter said, “I’m very proud
of the progress that continues to be
made here at my favorite college.”
With so many people and partners, we
are keeping those wheels of progress
turning as seen from the latest college
rankings and by our commitment to
bettering the lives of our students.
We are making sure we are the favorite college for many more to come.
JAMES What is Georgia Southwest-
ern doing to help students with
the ever-rising cost of a college
education in terms of scholarships and financial aid?
JOHNSTON We are extremely proud of
the value of a Georgia Southwestern
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