Johnson takes over as first-ever female provost at Hopkins
Kristina Johnson of Duke University, assumed the office of the provost at Hopkins on September 1. She is the first woman to hold this position, making her the second most powerful person at Hopkins.
Johnson's appointment marks a decided shift in the office. Unlike her predecessor, Stephen Knapp, Johnson has a background in engineering.
Knapp, who left Hopkins over the summer to become president at George Washington University, and who had held the position for 11 years, is a well-known specialist in 18th and 19th century English Literature. Johnson, however, is an electrical engineer and a former dean in that field. This has caused some concern in both students and faculty who feel Hopkins has a tradition of neglecting the School of Arts and Sciences.
"I don't believe my background will cause any imbalance in how I work with each school," Johnson said. "If anything, it allows me to be more balanced. I am very eager to work with the humanities. My lack of experience in those fields forces me to pay more attention to, and spend more time with them. I have a core knowledge balanced by a thirst for new knowledge."
A former violinist, Johnson also said she has an affection for Peabody. "I'd like to work with all nine schools equally. Peabody, Public Health, all of them."
Often, among students, the role of the provost remains ambiguous. Although second only to the president in terms of administrative power, the provost's scope of power is less observable. Considered the chief academic officer, the provost works closely with the deans, approving budgets and improving their resources. The provost also recommends appointments of new deans.
"I see the provost as someone who promotes a quality educational experience," Johnson said. "I want to be both a connector and an enhancer, for students and faculty alike."
As the Dean of Duke's Pratt School of Engineering for eight years, Johnson worked to build a strong sense of community between faculty and students. "She was extremely well regarded on campus," said David Graham, editor-in-chief of the Duke Chronicle. "She would contribute memos to the Chronicle, informing students of all the events she helped organize. She was very student-friendly."
Johnson would help organize "Pratt Nights" - evening events where Duke faculty and students could intermingle. "We would do barbecues and go to basketball games," Johnson said. "It's important for people to get to know each other in different settings. This is an attitude I hope to bring to Hopkins."
"She was certainly one of the better administrators on campus," Graham said. "She transformed our engineering school. She built up the reputation and faculty, and increased the endowment tenfold."
"As provost, I get to work through the deans," Johnson said. "Having been a dean, I feel I'm well prepared for this."
Johnson's appointment marks a decided shift in the office. Unlike her predecessor, Stephen Knapp, Johnson has a background in engineering.
Knapp, who left Hopkins over the summer to become president at George Washington University, and who had held the position for 11 years, is a well-known specialist in 18th and 19th century English Literature. Johnson, however, is an electrical engineer and a former dean in that field. This has caused some concern in both students and faculty who feel Hopkins has a tradition of neglecting the School of Arts and Sciences.
"I don't believe my background will cause any imbalance in how I work with each school," Johnson said. "If anything, it allows me to be more balanced. I am very eager to work with the humanities. My lack of experience in those fields forces me to pay more attention to, and spend more time with them. I have a core knowledge balanced by a thirst for new knowledge."
A former violinist, Johnson also said she has an affection for Peabody. "I'd like to work with all nine schools equally. Peabody, Public Health, all of them."
Often, among students, the role of the provost remains ambiguous. Although second only to the president in terms of administrative power, the provost's scope of power is less observable. Considered the chief academic officer, the provost works closely with the deans, approving budgets and improving their resources. The provost also recommends appointments of new deans.
"I see the provost as someone who promotes a quality educational experience," Johnson said. "I want to be both a connector and an enhancer, for students and faculty alike."
As the Dean of Duke's Pratt School of Engineering for eight years, Johnson worked to build a strong sense of community between faculty and students. "She was extremely well regarded on campus," said David Graham, editor-in-chief of the Duke Chronicle. "She would contribute memos to the Chronicle, informing students of all the events she helped organize. She was very student-friendly."
Johnson would help organize "Pratt Nights" - evening events where Duke faculty and students could intermingle. "We would do barbecues and go to basketball games," Johnson said. "It's important for people to get to know each other in different settings. This is an attitude I hope to bring to Hopkins."
"She was certainly one of the better administrators on campus," Graham said. "She transformed our engineering school. She built up the reputation and faculty, and increased the endowment tenfold."
"As provost, I get to work through the deans," Johnson said. "Having been a dean, I feel I'm well prepared for this."
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jlalbee
Jon L. Albee, C.A.G.S., '03
posted 9/14/07 @ 12:33 PM EST
I think Dr. Johnson is an excellent choice for Provost, as she is both an exceptional scientist (and scholar) and a deeply experienced academic administrator. (Continued…)
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