Rushton Johnson

Dr. Rushton W. Johnson, Jr. is a seasoned higher education leader with 25 years of experience advancing student success, strategic partnerships, and equitable outcomes for underserved populations. He currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Pellissippi State Community College, where he leads Enrollment Services, Counseling, Athletics, Disability Services, Student Life, Advising, Dual Enrollment, and more. He supervises three Site Campus Deans and collaborates with college leadership to shape enrollment strategies and student success initiatives. In partnership with colleagues across the college, Dr. Johnson helped lead Pellissippi State to achieve the “Leader College” designation from Achieving the Dream in 2025.Under his leadership, Pellissippi State earned the “Leader College” designation from Achieving the Dream in 2025.

Previously, Dr. Johnson served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Atlanta Technical College, where he led transformative initiatives that enhanced student engagement, international education, and dual enrollment. He secured over $3 million in funding for projects, including global partnerships in Germany and China.

Dr. Johnson has led the development of holistic student support systems, including Pellissippi State’s “Stay Strong” Student Success Center. He also co-authored a successful $2.2 million Title III grant to launch a first-year experience program and career development model aligned with academic pathways.

His professional affiliations include NASPA, the National Alliance for Community and Technical Colleges (Board Representative), the Rotary Club of Knoxville, United Way of Greater Knoxville, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

A native of Bessemer, Alabama, Dr. Johnson holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama, a Master of Science in Counseling from Jacksonville State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Birmingham-Southern College. He also earned a post-doctoral Master of Liberal Arts in Management from Harvard University.