Derek Johnson has accepted our offer for the position of Assistant Director for Engineering Outreach in the Diversity Affairs Office. In this role, Johnson will be responsible for developing and implementing a broad outreach strategy that will include leveraging college resources such as MakerSpace, DAO, and departmental outreach efforts, specifically targeting low-income students and students of color. He also will be collaborating with Admissions, Financial Aid and other campus partners to support student recruitment to the College of Engineering.
Johnson is a native of Madison, and graduated from Madison East High School. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from UW-Whitewater, where he was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. He earned his MA in Education and recently earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College. Johnson started his career at the Urban League of Greater Madison as a volunteer coordinator and Career Development Specialist. For the past 9 years, he has been a leader in Admissions, and Diversity & Inclusion at Edgewood College, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Johnson serves on the board of the Goodman Community Center, and many other community organizations, including The College Station, an organization he founded to help students and families with college access. Johnson is a spoken word artist, loves gardening, waxing his car with home-made wax, and spending time with his family.
Johnson’s first day is July 1, 2019.