Michael Johnson

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Michael Johnson began his career as an upscale retail marketer, manager and buyer for Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus and Federated Department Stores.

He carried his managerial and digital marketing expertise to Sullivan University System as director of admissions for Spencerian College. During his tenure, the college introduced several new degree programs in nursing, surgical technology, radiography technology and beyond.

In 2004, Johnson oversaw the development of Spencerian College's distance learning division. He was later promoted to executive director of Sullivan University System Online. Under his leadership, enrollment in online and blended courses increased from less than 50 students in 12 courses to over 4,000 students in more than 450 courses. The online division expanded from a small support unit to a full-service online entity with more than 50 full-time employees and a suite of services.

The impressive growth of Sullivan's online programs blazed a trail for a new International Center for Corporate Learning at Sullivan. As executive director, Johnson assessed clients' needs and developed effective courses and training for businesses and the military.

In 2016, Johnson advanced to vice president of marketing for the Sullivan University System. In this role, he helped the system move from traditional marketing strategies to micro-target strategies, focusing on hyper-personalization.

Three years later, he accepted a new role as executive director of Marketing and Communications at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Every day, he brings enthusiasm and experience to the table and implements effective marketing strategies in the ever-changing landscape of higher education.

Johnson manages a full-service marketing and communication team that includes graphic designers, photographers, social media coordinators, communications specialists, web applications developers, digital marketing specialists and videographers. He also enlists agencies and contracted services and personnel to support the work of his team. Johnson uses a data-driven marketing plan to support marketing and communications initiatives for the main campus, six extended sites, and the Dallas site.

A Conversation with Michael Johnson

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

You get a big school education in a small school atmosphere at A&M-Commerce. Our main campus is the best of rural and urban environments where you can find nearly 2,100 acres of campus space, including our research farm. Yet, within an hour’s drive, you can be in Dallas, one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. A&M-Commerce is affordable while still offering an excellent learning experience that has been proven to provide upward social mobility to our graduates.

What do you like most about your career?

What I like most about my position here at A&M-Commerce is the opportunity to expand our brand and introduce our university to new markets. I also enjoy the ever-changing marketing technology that continues to be developed. Working with my team of in-house marketing professionals and student workers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my position.

How do you help students at A&M-Commerce?

Our student workers and graduate assistants are crucial members of our in-house marketing team. My goal is to all make sure that working with Marcomm is a true learning experience for them and will be a strong foundation for their careers in the future.

Education

• Post-Graduate Certificate, Digital Marketing, Cornell University
• M.S., Management, Sullivan University Graduate School
• B.A., Education, University of Kentucky

Experience

• Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2019-Present
• Vice President of Marketing, Sullivan University, 2016-2019
• Executive Director, Sullivan University, 2006-2016
• Director Of Admissions, Sullivan University, 1999-2016
• Director Of Admissions, San Antonio College of Medical and Dental Assisting – Kaplan, 2002-2004
• Director Of Admissions, Spencerian College, 1999–2002
• Retail Buyer and Manager, Lazarus/Nordstrom/Neiman-Marcus/Embry’s, 1984–1999