Brad Johnson named associate dean at CSE

Brad Johnson has agreed to take on the associate dean role in the College of Science and Engineering at Western Washington University starting Dec. 16.

Johnson earned his B.S. and PhD in physics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He joined Western as an assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy in 1997, becoming a full professor in 2003. He is an active scholar, with 45+ publications in peer-reviewed journals in theoretical physics and a co-PI on three major NSF research grants since 2008. Brad has served as chair of the department of physics and astronomy for the last 12 years. In this role, he contributed significantly to important initiatives for the college and university, including co-authoring the engineering and AMSEC decision packages, serving as vice-chair of the University Planning and Resources Council and of the WWU department chair workshops, and co-chairing the team that drafted the WWU mission, vision and strategic plan. Brad has exceptional energy, vision, leadership and communication skills and very strong support across the college. I look forward to working closely with him to ensure the continued success of CSE as we move into our next phase of growth and development.

As associate dean, he will assist the dean and serve the college in the following areas: academic development, including curricular oversight and analysis; enrollment management; professional program accreditation; summer session coordination; Foundation and alumni resources and relations; faculty and technology development; coordination and administration of the College scholarship program; and administration and resolution of student academic dishonesty cases. He will also initiate and lead college-wide projects and serve as the acting Dean when the Dean is away from campus.