Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble and Provost and Senior Vice President Julian Z. Schuster today announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Johnson to the position of Associate Vice President and Chief of Strategic Initiatives. In this new position, Dr. Johnson will provide leadership for the development and execution of strategic initiatives including the identification of emerging markets and the creation, development and delivery of new programs. He will join Webster on June 18.

“Dr. Johnson is a natural fit to lead strategic initiatives that will strengthen our global academic and operational excellence by focusing on programs that are responsive to student and market needs,” said President Stroble.

“Dr. Johnson’s experience and qualifications made him a top candidate during the search for the open position of AVP for Military and Governmental Programs, in large part due to his extensive work with the governmental sector in developing programs related to cutting-edge science and technology,” said Provost Schuster.  “It was clear his experience and skills would help to advance Webster’s strategic initiatives.”

Dr. Johnson served as Dean of the College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven for 13 years, during which time he worked with faculty to develop new programs in the areas of National Security, Digital Forensics and Advanced Investigation.  For the governmental sector, he has developed programs in Criminal Justice, National Security, Emergency Management, Occupational Safety and Health, and Fire Science.  He has trained law enforcement agents and prosecutors from more than 30 countries in areas such as computer crime and advanced investigations.

After serving as Dean at the University of New Haven, Dr. Johnson co-founded the California Sciences Institute, delivering Ph.D. research programs in National Security and Digital Computer Forensics.  He earned a B.S. with honors and an M.S. from the School of Public Administration and Public Safety at Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Criminology degree from the School of Criminology at the University of California – Berkeley.

“I am so delighted to become a member of the Webster University community, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with my colleagues in exploring a range of new initiatives that will continue to prepare our students for future challenges, as well as new opportunities,” Dr. Johnson said.  “As a result of the outstanding faculty, and the visionary leadership of the administration and the Board of Trustees, Webster University is positioned to advance its unique blend of global scholarship and professional experience far into the future, and I am honored to join in this endeavor."

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses. Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

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