Drew Johnson, Ph.D., director for the Ronald E. McNair Scholars in the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), has been selected for Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE).
The MLE program is a professional development experience that brings together leaders in higher education to explore the complexities of institutional change. Held at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education from June 7-14, 2025, MLE participants examine the challenges and opportunities facing colleges and universities. Through expert-led sessions and peer collaboration, Johnson will engage with strategies to assess organizational readiness, strengthen leadership approaches, and drive strategic decision-making.
Designed for senior-level administrators, including deans, associate provosts, and directors, the program emphasizes leading with purpose, managing resources effectively, and navigating evolving campus dynamics. Johnson’s participation reflects North Carolina Central University (NCCU) ongoing commitment to leadership excellence and advancing student success through visionary administration.
Johnson has approximately 10 years of experience in leadership roles focused on student success, federal grant programs, and academic support. As director of the McNair Scholars Program at NCCU, he has grown the program’s visibility and impact, expanding scholar participation, securing faculty research collaborations, and introducing the program’s first Micro-Credential initiative in partnership with the university’s LEAD Institute. He supervises a team of staff and graduate assistants while managing a federal grant portfolio exceeding $272,000.
Previously, Johnson served as assistant director for the TRIO Student Accessibility Services Program, where he designed services for first-generation and low-income students and created cross-campus partnerships that advanced student achievement. His earlier tenure as program coordinator for the McNair Scholars Program reflects a long-standing commitment to academic equity, graduate school readiness, and mentorship for underrepresented students.
Johnson is an adjunct professor in both the University College and the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASH), where he instructs first-year seminar, general psychology, and senior seminar courses. He is a frequent presenter at national and regional conferences, delivering talks on topics such as mental health, student-athlete success, and inclusive leadership.
Johnson holds a bachelor's in psychology from NCCU, a master's in education from Lincoln University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. His dissertation explored the academic experiences of Black male student-athletes, highlighting his dedication to amplifying student voices.