Michelle Johnston Appointed President of Georgia Southwestern State University

Michelle R. Johnston has been appointed president of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. She will assume her presidency on June 1.

Georgia Southwestern State University enrolls about 2,400 undergraduate and 600 graduate students. Women represent approximately 64 percent of the undergraduate population.

Dr. Johnston brings nearly three decades of higher education experience to her new role. Currently, she serves as president of the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, a position she has held for the past six years. Prior to her current role, she served as president of the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College in Ohio for four years. She previously held administrative and faculty positions with the University of Montevallo in Alabama, the University of Louisiana Monroe, and Mississippi State University.

Dr. Johnston is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where she majored in piano performance. She holds a master’s degree in piano performance from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Mississippi State University.