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Meet President Johnson
Dr. Michael Johnson began serving as the University of West Georgia's ninth president on Aug. 1, 2025, bringing more than 30 years of experience in higher education and public service to the role.
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About President Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson, Ph.D., serves as president of the University of West Georgia, beginning his tenure on August 1, 2025. A mission-driven leader with more than 30 years of experience in higher education and public service, Dr. Johnson is known for his strategic vision, commitment to student success, and collaborative leadership style.
A first-generation college graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Dr. Johnson has held senior leadership roles across a diverse range of institutions—including community colleges, land-grant universities, and urban research universities—giving him a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing higher education today.
Prior to joining UWG, he served as Chief of Staff for the University of Houston and the UH System, overseeing executive operations and systemwide strategy. In this role, he worked closely with regents, state leaders, and campus stakeholders to advance transformative initiatives in access, completion, and institutional excellence. His leadership helped lead a campus-wide "no excuses" plan for student graduation rate. He also played a key role in securing over $20 million in support for the launch of the UH College of Medicine and led initiatives to expand off-campus instructional sites aligned with workforce needs.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Johnson held leadership roles at Purdue University, George Mason University, and Northern Virginia Community College, where he led units focused on advancement, enrollment, and student affairs. He has a strong record of resource development, raising more than $40 million to support strategic initiatives and student success.
Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Houston, a master's degree in higher education from George Mason University, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from The Citadel. He is also a graduate of professional development programs at Harvard University, the Association of Governing Boards, and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
He is a recipient of the McInnes/Ryan Award for Mid-Career Higher Education Leadership and previously chaired the board of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education.
Dr. Johnson and his wife, Beth, reside in Carrollton with their two daughters and the family's black Labrador Retriever, Gunner.