New President Announced For John Carroll University

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH — Michael Johnson has been named the 25th president of John Carroll University, the school announced this week. The university's Board of Directors approved Johnson's hiring on Dec. 6, 2017. He will start work July 1, 2018. His appointment runs through 2023.

“The passion that the students, faculty, staff, and alumni have for John Carroll is inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this community,” said Johnson. “As one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the country, John Carroll University is poised for growth with many distinctive programs and an exceptional faculty and staff.”

Rev. Robert Niehoff, who had been president of John Carroll since 2005, announced his retirement in March 2017. A group of John Carroll alumnus and the university's Board of Directors then led an extensive national search for Niehoff's replacement.

The Presidential Search Committee was composed of 12-people, from both the Board of Directors and the Jesuit community, as well as students, faculty and staff. Consulting firm Issacson, Milleer helped the group find candidates.

“Dr. Johnson was a transformative academic leader while Dean at Cornell, and will build upon John Carroll’s distinctive programs and strengths,” said Michael Merriman, chair of John Carroll's Board of Directors. “Known for his transparent and collaborative leadership style, Dr. Johnson has excellent operational management, planning, and financial skills."

Johnson is currently working as the Provost of Babson College, a private business school in Massachusetts. He also teaches marketing at Babson. He will also teach in the department of Management, Marketing and Supply Chain in the Boler School of Business at John Carroll.

Johnson was previously Dean of the E.M. Statler Professor and Professor of Marketing at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. He also taught marketing at the University of Michigan for 24 years. He received his doctorate in behavioral science and marketing, and an MBA, from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jeanne Colleran had been serving as interim president of John Carroll since June 2017, when Niehoff entered retirement.

“The entire university community is deeply grateful to the leadership of Dr. Colleran," Merriman said. "Her vision and high standards of excellence for our students, faculty, and staff over the past 30 years, and her keen sense of fairness and optimism during this transition year have positioned the university for continued success.”

Photo from John Carroll University