Elizabeth Johnson

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Age: 38

Title: Dean of the School of Arts & Science

Company: Post University

Location: Waterbury

Hometown: Cheshire

College: Lehigh University

Bio

As the dean for the School of Arts & Sciences at Post University, Elizabeth Johnson is responsible for administration of the school's courses and degrees, oversight of program/curriculum development, and supervision of 21 full-time faculty and 7 staff members. Johnson has recently taken on leading roles in Post's 10-year NEASC reaccreditation, the design and implementation of the General Education Student Learning Outcomes assessment process, and the expansion of Post's science, technology, engineering and math programming.

Johnson is a Cheshire Land Trust board member and was recently elected co-director of the Trust's outreach committee. In addition, she is a member of development and environment committees for the Connecticut Community Foundation in Waterbury, and a member of ocean conservation nonprofit Crew3000.

Johnson enjoys cycling with her husband and two children, hiking in the woods, gardening and scuba diving. She grew up in Clifton Park, N.Y.

Q&A

What is the best thing someone would say about your career thus far? I have inspired students to push themselves beyond their preconceived boundaries and into their true capabilities both in and out of the classroom. I am incredibly fortunate, as I was given this exact honor during Post's 2015 commencement. In her speech, our main campus valedictorian referenced a conversation she and I had shared when she was a freshman as a turning point in her college experience.

The truth is, by most standards, the conversation was not particularly memorable. We talked about the importance of expanding your college experience beyond academics, and how she had the potential to grow just as much personally as intellectually during her tenure at Post. In essence, I suggested she enjoy the journey.

The most important journey I have ever taken is….. Allowing myself to move past the 'mom guilt' of working full time. It has been a tearful, heart-wrenching journey and there are days when the finish line feels so far off. This is not a journey I could have embarked on alone. My husband, Tim, completely understands what a household with two working parents needs to look like to be effective. He takes on an equal share of the parenting and household chores. More so than that, he repeatedly reminds me that I am a role model for our children, particularly our daughter. Although the journey is mine to complete, having Tim next to me holding my hand keeps me moving forward.