Champion for Children- Dr. Michelle Johnston

Dr. Michelle Johnston currently serves as the president of the College of Coastal Georgia. Her top priorities for the College are improving student success, relentlessly pursuing excellence in all academic and student development programs, and ensuring access through affordability efforts and partnerships within the community.Her mantra of “every student, every time” emphasizes the care and attention that the College’s faculty and staff provide, without exception, and that is a hallmark of a Coastal Georgia education.

Dr. Johnston holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Alabama, a master’s degree in piano performance from Louisiana State University, a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mississippi State University, and a Post Doctorate in Marketing and Management from the University of Florida. Her 28-year career in higher education has included service as a faculty member and senior administrator at both public and private institutions.

In 2014, Dr. Johnston was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to the Marine Corps University Board, where she served two terms as Chair. She also serves on the boards of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia, The Camden Partnership, the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, and the Coastal Symphony of Georgia. In 2021, the Institute for Executive Women established the Michelle R. Johnston Award for Servant Leadership to annually recognize and honor a leader who has sacrificed self for others, relied on innovation to overcome immense challenges, and made heroic efforts to transform their communities. Dr. Johnston has been a leader at state and national levels with regard to campus sexual assault response and prevention, including invitations by the Obama and Trump administrations for meetings at the White House and with the U.S. Secretary of Education. She is active as a presenter in local, state, regional, national, and international settings.

In addition to her work in higher education, Dr. Johnston has a strong desire to be involved in non-profit work that supports the community. That is why she has joined Safe Harbor Center's Champions for Children campaign. She believes that every child deserves a safe and stable environment to grow and thrive in, and she is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Safe Harbor's programs and services that help lead our communities at-risk children into a successful and brighter future.