Special Assistant to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Wanda Johnson is a scholar and seasoned higher education professional with over a decade of experience fostering student success, academic achievement, and institutional transformation. Passionate about student development and engagement, she is dedicated to mentorship, research, and advancing critical conversations in higher education.She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University (2002), a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University (2010), and a Doctor of Education in Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Georgia (2023).Her dissertation, Still, I Rise . . . Using Sista Circles to Explore the Lived Experiences of Black Women Who Attend(ed) Historically White Institutions as Undergraduates, received the 2024 Dissertation of the Year Award from the Southern Association for College Student Affairs. Her research utilized Sista Circle methodology to conduct a critical narrative inquiry into the experiences of Black undergraduate women in higher education.With extensive experience in higher education leadership, Dr. Johnson has served in various roles, including Director of Multicultural Services and Programs at UGA and Academic Advisor III at Georgia College. She has been recognized for her contributions to student success and research, earning the 2023 Miller/Winston Research Award (UGA) and the 2024 Outstanding Program/Initiative/Event Award from UGA Student Affairs. She also participated in the 2024 ACPA Paul Shang Institute for Aspiring Student Affairs Officers.Dr. Johnson is committed to researching student success, Black Feminist Thought, and the intersections of identity in higher education. As a scholar and educator, she continues to explore the lived experiences of marginalized student populations, fostering academic spaces where their voices and narratives are centered.
