portrait of Joel Johnson

Joel Johnson, Ed. D.

Senior Director of Academic Initiatives and Continuous Improvement
Project Management Office Director

Ed.D. – University of Glasgow – Glasgow, Scotland
M.A. – The George Washington University – Washington D.C.
B.S. – University of Northwestern-St. Paul

Contact Information

Nazareth Hall, N1128
3003 Snelling Ave. N
St Paul, MN 55113

651-631-5312

Dr. Johnson joined the University of Northwestern in 2013. Johnson oversees the university’s Project Management Office and Online Learning Office. He is responsible for providing leadership and support in identifying and implementing initiatives and projects that advance the mission, vision, and strategic plans of Academic Affairs. In addition, Johnson provides direction and vision for digital learning and technology integration in online, blended and classroom-based teaching and learning environments.

Prior to his work at Northwestern, Dr. Johnson worked for Ellucian in their Managed Services Division and at the College of St. Scholastica where he served as the institution’s Continuous Improvement Director.

Dr. Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (MN) in 2003, a master's degree in Educational Technology Leadership from the George Washington University (DC) in 2007, and a doctoral degree from the University of Glasgow (Glasgow, Scotland) in 2022. He and his wife, Heather (’02), reside in Shoreview with their sons, Isaac and David.

Music & Theatre

AOM Instructors

Academy of Music