Carla Johnson

Bio

Before joining NC State, Dr. Johnson was a special advisor to the dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute on P16 STEM, executive director of Indiana GEAR UP and professor of science education at Purdue University. She has also served as Purdue’s College of Education’s associate dean for research, engagement and global affairs and the college’s lead for strategic partnerships. In these various roles, she has worked collaboratively with others to develop and implement a strategy for coordinating campus-wide P12 STEM initiatives and has provided leadership for developing and implementing all cross-campus and external partnership efforts within and outside of Indiana. Before joining Purdue, Johnson held research, academic and leadership positions with the University of Cincinnati, the University of Toledo, Utah State University, Northern Kentucky University and Vanderbilt University. Throughout her career, she has been the principal investigator or co-PI on 36 research grants and contracts totaling over $48.8 million, and she has authored or co-authored over 300 journal articles, books, book chapters and research reports. These publications include completing 32 books for the STEM Road Map project in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association. A book focused on policy and advocacy for STEM education for all children that she co-authored with astronaut Buzz Aldrin — Investing in Our Future: Preparing the Next Generation for the Innovation Age — will be published in 2020 by Purdue University Press. Johnson earned her doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati and her bachelor’s from Eastern Kentucky University.