Danette Ifert Johnson

Danette Ifert Johnson joined Kalamazoo College as its provost in July 2019. As the College’s chief academic officer, Johnson has oversight of all educational affairs and activities, including academic personnel and programs. She also oversees academic administrative areas including Athletics, the Center for Career and Professional Development, Information Services, Institutional Assessment and Faculty Grants, the Center for International Programs, the Registrar’s Office, the Center for Civic Engagement, the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, Health Professions Advising, Graduate Fellowships Advising, and co-oversight of Academic Advising / First-Year Experience.

Johnson previously served as vice provost at Ithaca College where she was a tenured professor. She also served as the inaugural director of Ithaca’s Integrative Core Curriculum. In announcing her appointment, Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez cited her long record of teaching success and considerable scholarly accomplishments.

An alumna of West Virginia Wesleyan College, Johnson served her alma mater as president of the Alumni Council and a member of the Board of Trustees. She has been a faculty member at West Virginia Wesleyan and Texas Tech University in addition to Ithaca College. She served as the executive director and president of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), which honored her as a distinguished teaching fellow and distinguished research fellow.

Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communication and history from West Virginia Wesleyan College, a master’s degree in educational psychology from West Virginia University, and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in communication studies from Northwestern University.