Nicole J. Johnson, dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs at Goucher College, has been named vice president for student life at Rhodes College. She will assume the role on Feb. 27, 2023.
“We are delighted to have Nicole joining our senior leadership team. She is a dynamic leader who puts students first in everything she does,” says Rhodes College President Jennifer Collins. “Through a national search that produced a very strong group of candidates, Nicole rose to the top. I look forward to working with her as we continue to enhance the campus life experience for all our students.”
Johnson has worked at Goucher College since 2018 in various positions, including associate dean of students for student support and success, interim associate dean of students, and assistant dean of students for race, equity, and identity.
Johnson comes to Rhodes with extensive experience in the areas of student support and outreach, strategic leadership, student inclusion, administration and operations, student health and well-being, crisis management, and student accountability.
Drawing upon a nuanced understanding of national best practices and student development theory, the vice president for student life at Rhodes will lead the way in crafting policies, guidelines, and approaches that are proactive, transparent, and thoughtfully tailored to the college’s mission and needs.
“Rhodes is positioned to continue its rise as a desired destination for gifted students, staff, and faculty because of its strong leadership, mission, and commitment to student success in and out of the classroom and the city of Memphis,” says Johnson. “I am happy and excited to join the Rhodes community and partner with President Collins, the talented student life team and faculty, and amazing students on the student experience and making it home.”
Before joining Goucher College, Johnson served as assistant dean and director of the office of student engagement at Elizabeth City State University, community development associate at Virginia Tech, and assistant dean in the minority student affairs office at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In addition, she has held leadership positions in the American College Professional Association.
Johnson is a Ph.D. candidate in the higher education program at Virginia Tech and holds a master’s degree in college student personnel from Arkansas Tech University and a bachelor’s degree in African American World Studies from The University of Iowa.