Texas Southern University Names Nationally Renowned Policy Strategist and Researcher as New Dean of Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs

Texas Southern University has named longtime policy researcher and research leader Calvin Johnson, Ph.D., as the new Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs following a nationwide search.

Johnson joins Texas Southern from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Policy Development and Research where he served 12 years as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring. In his capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary, he served as one of the principal advisors to HUD leadership on research, demonstration, and evaluation activities. He oversaw a broad evaluation portfolio, including projects exploring the impact of housing on non-housing outcomes, economic self-sufficiency, health and wellness, and educational achievement. His oversight included an active research portfolio that totaled more than $90 million. 

“Dr. Johnson’s combination of experience in academia, research, policy, and as a practitioner make him uniquely qualified to lead the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs as it continues to meet the needs of an evolving public affairs ecosystem,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carl B. Goodman. “He is a forward-thinking leader who has served in spaces that I know will benefit our students, faculty and staff. I am pleased to welcome him to Texas Southern, and I look forward to the work we will do together to elevate our public affairs programming.” 

He brings over 30 years of leadership in research and policy development. Prior to joining HUD, Dr. Johnson served dual roles as the Associate Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation and the Performance Improvement Officer at the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA). While there, he was principal advisor to the Director and technical and program advisor to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s federal stakeholders, which included the CJCC U.S. Parole Commission, Superior Court for the District of Columbia, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia. 

“I am both honored and thrilled to be appointed as the Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs (SOPA),” said Dr. Johnson. “I anticipate collaborating with our dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders to advance programs that are intellectually stimulating, closely aligned with the high-demand skills sought in today’s workforce and rooted in the principle of service to others as a cornerstone of effective leadership. 

Dr. Johnson has also served in research, evaluation, and policy positions at the University of Pennsylvania, The Urban Institute, and with the Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia. His expertise has earned national recognition. In 2020, he was elected as a Fellow for the congressionally chartered National Academy of Public Administration. Additionally, he serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. 

“Our team at SOPA bears an awesome responsibility to rise to the challenges articulated by Barbara Jordan: ‘The imperative is to define what is right and to do it,’ and by Mickey Leland: ‘We’ve got to help resolve the problems…suffering people need our help.’ I am excited to forge partnerships both within and beyond SOPA that will cultivate academic programming and service opportunities, honoring the enduring legacy of our school’s namesakes.” 

Dr. Johnson received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Eastern Washington University. He also earned his master’s degree in Sociology/Research Methods from Temple University and a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland-College Park. 

He assumed the role of Dean effective November 3.