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Sharon L. Johnson was a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse when she found the career path she wanted to follow.
“I was a work-study student in the dean of student’s office,” recalls Johnson, who was appointed by The University of Akron Board of Trustees in June to serve as interim vice president for student affairs. “I saw firsthand how helpful the dean was in resolving students’ problems, issues and concerns so they could continue to pursue their educational goals. I thought it was just wonderful that there was someone there in student affairs who would help do that.”
As her undergraduate years continued, Johnson had the opportunity to learn just how expansive the field of student affairs is — reaching far beyond the dean’s office in support of student success. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, she remained at her alma mater for another year and earned a master’s degree in student personnel services.
Johnson, who joined UA in February as associate vice president and dean of student life, fills the post vacated by Marlesa Roney, who left the University in June to return to her native Kansas and become vice provost for student success at Kansas University. Prior to joining UA, Johnson was associate director of the Institute for Higher Education Management at the University of Pittsburgh.
Her 30-year career in student affairs began in earnest at Ottumwa Heights Junior College in Iowa, where she served a year as assistant director of student services. She then joined Morningside College, also in Iowa, where she served as a residence hall director for three years and then was associate dean for student affairs for two years.
Johnson then moved on to the University of Northern Colorado, where she worked as a financial aid counselor while earning a doctorate in college student personnel administration.
From 1980 to 1989, Johnson was assistant vice president for student affairs at Wichita State University in Kansas. Her responsibilities at the urban university with an enrollment of 17,000 included overseeing the recreation complex as well as placement and career services, international student office, health center, university preschool, veterans and military services, Greek life, student conduct and discipline, and a variety of other student activities and organizations.
In 1989 Johnson became the first woman vice president at Slippery Rock University, a school with 7,000 students in Pennsylvania. During her 11-year tenure as vice president for student affairs and dean of students, Johnson served two presidents and was responsible for many of the same areas she had handled at Wichita State, and also oversaw such units as residence halls, food services and intercollegiate athletics.
Johnson joined the University of Pittsburgh in July 2000 as its vice provost and dean of students. After leading a successful transition year to create more collaboration between the academic area and student affairs for the campus of 25,000 students, Johnson joined its Institute for Higher Education Management and also became a senior lecturer in the School of Education’s doctoral program.
Throughout her career, the Wisconsin native has been active in numerous professional organizations, including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education — where Johnson chaired the council of vice presidents for student affairs for 14 state institutions. She has been a national board member of Alpha Lambda Delta as well.
Johnson also has worked to strengthen collaboration between the communities and the institutions where she has worked. In fact, her “commitment to excellence in university and community relations” was recognized in 1999 when Slippery Rock’s Town Gown Association presented her with the Town Gown Award.
Along with her administrative duties, Johnson has been published and made numerous presentations on student services assessment, one of her areas of expertise.
“I was so pleased to see the emphasis that President Proenza puts on student success in ‘Charting the Course,’ because that’s what student affairs does,” says Johnson, referring to the University’s strategic planning report. “All that we do in student affairs is geared toward student success — to help students persist toward graduation.
“The Division of Student Affairs here has so much to offer,” adds Johnson. “I hope we can build on the work that has already been done to offer our students more opportunities to strengthen their abilities.”
For example, Johnson envisions University-wide student learning and development outcomes, which would be assessed by academic departments as well as in student affairs.
“The University already does a great deal of outcome assessment, but I’m hoping we can do more in student affairs,” Johnson continues. “I want people to say that graduates of The University of Akron are really tremendous, because of their preparation in their majors and minors, and because they are so well-rounded, with wonderful skills learned outside the classroom such as civic responsibility, critical thinking and problem solving, professionalism, as well as other attributes.”
In her new role, Johnson is likely to wear her share of hard hats — several of the new buildings being constructed on campus as part of the University’s New Landscape for Learning are for units within the Division of Student Affairs.
“I’m really excited about the Student Recreation Center — it will become such a gathering place it will be like another student union,” says Johnson, who should know. While at Slippery Rock, she chaired the feasibility, design and building committee for the school’s 82,000 square foot recreation center.
“With the other new buildings — the Honors Residence Hall, the Student Union and the Student Services Building —which will be a one-stop-shop — it’s a very exciting time to be a part of all that’s going on here at Akron,” notes Johnson.
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