Kim Johnson

Kim Johnson

Academic Advisor, Assistant Professor
College of Business
Dean's Office
Phone: (231) 591-2483
Email: [email protected]

Education

• MA, Western Michigan University, Educational Leadership: Higher Education and Student Affairs Concentration
• BS, Grand Valley State University, Hospitality and Tourism Management

Biography

Shortly after college, Kim moved to Orlando, FL to pursue her Disney career in restaurant and retail management by participating in the Disney internship program. Her six months in Florida turned into seven years. During that time, she worked in EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs all in management positions. In addition, she was also the college and international program liaison during her entire seven years and enjoyed working with college students from diverse backgrounds.

Kim wanted to move back to the Midwest region and that is when her higher education journey began. She worked in the student affairs sector at Western Michigan University for six years and was a dining manager, as well as oversaw all student employment. During that time, she obtained her Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

Shortly after obtaining her master’s degree, she landed one of her favorite positions, Associate Director of Student Support Programs and oversaw the entire TRIO SSS program at Western Michigan University. Her work included: led a team of three professional staff members; mentoring and advising; grant writing; budget management; taught two courses: First Year Experience and UNIV 1030: How to Market Yourself; and most importantly, supported students who came from marginalized and diversified backgrounds. Her and her team worked with students who were first generation, income eligible, and/or registered through disability services. TRIO is a grant program and funded through the Department of Education.

All her previous experiences combined, truly prepared her for her current position in academic advising within the College of Business, and to her, it seemed like a perfect match! All along she has been working with college students in varying capacities and truly enjoys and is honored to be on their collegiate journey with them. She is very committed to her student's educational journeys, career pathways, and to student success!

Presentations

• Oral Presentation
  Johnson, K. (Presenter), Global Summit 2022: Cultivating Graduate Attributes to Empower and Sustain Educational Development, "Nurturing Bright Futures: Cultivating Graduate Attributes, Voices of International Students," Western Michigan University, University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland, (June 17, 2022).