THIBODAUX – Dr. Rushton Johnson Jr. of Jackson, Miss., has been named dean of student life and assistant to the vice president of student affairs at Nicholls State University effective July 1, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System.
“We are excited that Dr. Johnson will be joining the leadership team at Nicholls,” said Dr. Eugene Dial, vice president of student affairs and enrollment services. “His varied background in higher education will be an asset to the university and the students we serve.”
Johnson said he is honored to have been chosen to serve as the next dean of student life:
“I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and particularly the students. This is a warm, friendly and hospitable community, and I am eager to join the leadership team and contribute in positive ways to the advancement of the institution’s goals while enriching the lives of students.”
Johnson’s duties will include managing and supervising programs and services of the Office of Student Life and University Police. Such programs include residence life, student judicial affairs, parking services, campus recreation, Greek life, international student services and the student organizations program.
Johnson will also serve as a management team member for the Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services as well as a liaison to the Student Government Association.
Currently the executive assistant to the president at Millsaps College, Johnson holds a Doctor of Education in higher education administration from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa; a Master of Science in counseling from Jacksonville State University in Anniston, Ala.; and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Ala.
Johnson’s extensive professional experience includes stints as assistant dean of students and director of residence life at Millsaps; director of residence life and director of multicultural affairs at Birmingham-Southern College; director of student activities and activity director for the National Youth Sports Program at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; student ombudsperson and residence hall director at the University of Alabama; and residence hall director at Jacksonville State University.
Johnson has been an active member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church all of his life, serving as Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, director of Young Adults in Christian Ministries and director of Christian education. He is an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson.
