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University News

Amy Johnson to serve as Carolina’s next vice chancellor for student affairs

In this role, Amy Johnson will lead the Division of Student Affairs, which supports Carolina's 30,000 students.

Amy Johnson

Dear Carolina community,

After a successful national search, we are pleased to announce that Amy Johnson will serve as Carolina’s next vice chancellor for student affairs. Her start date will be Aug. 1.

Amy has more than two decades of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration and student affairs. Her previous managerial and faculty roles at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California and, most recently, Eastern Washington University, have prepared her well to lead UNC-Chapel Hill’s Division of Student Affairs, which supports Carolina’s 30,000 students, includes 17 reporting units and employs more than 330 dedicated student affairs professionals and staff members.

A dynamic, energetic and compassionate higher education administrator, Amy is actively engaged with best practices as well as scholarship in student affairs as a national thought leader. She brings the experience of a seasoned faculty member in higher education administration and a passion for connecting students’ academic and co-curricular learning experiences. A values-driven yet practical problem solver, Amy has led numerous initiatives that focus on student mental health and wellness, strengthening community, access and student success, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

At the University of Southern California, Amy served as an associate professor of higher education administration at the Rossier School of Education, teaching graduate courses in peer counseling, students affairs and higher education management. She earned both her Master of Science and Doctor of Education degrees in higher education administration and graduated with distinction from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and communication from the University of Puget Sound.

We appreciate the diligent work of the search committee: Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, dean and professor of the School of Education (chair); Lynn Blanchard, director, Carolina Center for Public Service; Michelle Brown, assistant provost and director, academic support program for student-athletes; Marc Cohen, teaching associate professor, English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts & Sciences; Wendy Cox, associate dean for professional education, Eshleman School of Pharmacy; Derek Kemp, associate vice chancellor for campus safety and risk management; Abigail Panter, senior associate dean for undergraduate education, College of Arts & Sciences; Josmell Perez, director, LatinX Center; Kara E. Simmons, associate vice chancellor and senior university counsel; Dan Thornton, associate director, Scholarships and Student Aid; Brandon Washington, interim associate vice chancellor, Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office; Ashton Martin, former student body president; Chasten Swain, former president, Graduate and Professional Student Federation.

We are also grateful for the leadership and service that Jonathan Sauls has provided as interim vice chancellor for student affairs over the past 10 months. Jonathan will continue to lead Student Affairs through July and resume his role of associate vice chancellor when Amy arrives. We thank Jonathan and everyone in Student Affairs for their tireless efforts to support our students during this interim period, especially during the upheaval and uncertainties due to the global pandemic.

Please join us in welcoming Amy to Carolina.

Sincerely,

Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Chancellor

Robert A. Blouin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost