Tacoma, Wash. — The University of Puget Sound has named John Johnson, Ph.D., as interim vice president for institutional equity and diversity, effective July 6. In light of President Isiaah Crawford’s upcoming retirement on July 1, 2027, Johnson will serve in this role during academic years 2026-27 and 2027-28.
Johnson joins the Puget Sound community from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., where he serves as vice president for belonging and compliance. A social psychologist by training, Johnson has held cabinet-level positions at both Rhodes College and Whitman College, demonstrating a sophisticated ability to align institutional mission with operational excellence.
At Whitman, Johnson secured the institution’s first HEED Award for excellence in diversity and co-led initiatives focused on pluralism and community dignity. Most recently at Rhodes, he oversaw the Institutional Equity unit and spearheaded the creation of the Accessibility Advancement Commission.
“Dr. Johnson is a purpose-driven scholar-practitioner who brings 30 years of immersive experience as a student, faculty member, and senior administrator,” Crawford said. “His track record of advancing inclusive excellence through a collaborative, results-oriented approach makes him an ideal fit to lead our equity and belonging efforts during this important interim period.”
Johnson said he is eager to build connections and work collaboratively with the different groups he met with during his recent campus visit.
“I am excited to be joining the University of Puget Sound administration. It is clear to me that the folks at Puget Sound appreciate the transformative power of education and the importance of a truly inclusive campus environment to institutional success,” Johnson said. “Puget Sound's commitment to inclusive excellence was evident in the conversations I had with different stakeholders throughout the recruitment process. I look forward to developing those connections and working across the institution to advance the university’s strategic goals.”
Johnson earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where his research focused on ethnic student organizations in higher education ecological systems. He also holds a Master of Arts in educational psychology from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Known for his transparent and empathetic leadership style, Johnson is a graduate of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Standards of Professional Practice Institute and remains a committed advocate for student success and institutional growth.
Johnson succeeds Lorna Hernandez Jarvis, Ph.D., the inaugural Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity who is retiring June 30.
About Puget Sound
A nationally ranked residential liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, University of Puget Sound enrolls 1,600 undergraduate students from across the country and around the world, as well as 250 graduate students in education, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty members who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 50 areas of study. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Luce scholars, notables in the arts and culture, scholars and scientists, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A top producer of Fulbright scholars, Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society. As part of its commitment to expanding access to higher education, Puget Sound offers the first accredited bachelor’s degree program in a prison in Washington state.
