Dr. Timothy Johnson serves as Director of the Center for Graduate and Pre-Professional Education at Dillard University and is a dedicated advocate for equity, access, and student success. With 20 years of mission-driven leadership experience across corporate and higher education sectors, Dr. Johnson has built a career centered on expanding opportunity, strengthening educational pathways, and creating environments where historically underrepresented and marginalized communities can thrive. His diverse leadership experience includes roles with Saks Fifth Avenue, the Boys & Girls Club of the Gulf Coast, CitiFinancial Mortgage Company, and GEICO Insurance, as well as administrative leadership positions at Texas College, Strayer University, Baton Rouge Community College, Louisiana State University, and Wiley University. He has also taught and guest lectured at the University of Central Florida, Emory University, Southern University and A&M College, and Upper Iowa University.

A proven strategist and advocate for student success, Dr. Johnson has authored and managed more than $40 million in corporate and government grant programs. He has led initiatives to improve student retention, persistence, and achievement, particularly among underrepresented student populations. His work reflects a deep belief that access to education must be accompanied by the resources, mentorship, and support necessary for students to succeed. Dr. Johnson’s commitment to service extends beyond his professional responsibilities. He serves on the Board of Directors of Louisiana Key Academy, the only school in Louisiana dedicated exclusively to preparing students with dyslexia. In this role, he advocates for inclusive educational opportunities and stronger support systems for students and families who have historically faced barriers to success.

In 2025, Dr. Johnson was selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar, an honor that brought together emerging leaders to study leadership and public service under the guidance of former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Jackson State University, a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Management and Entrepreneurship from William Carey University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. His teaching and research interests include entrepreneurship, strategic management, enrollment management, student success and retention, and the relationships between students and faculty in higher education. Through his professional and community leadership, Dr. Johnson remains committed to transforming opportunity into impact and helping build more equitable systems in Baton Rouge and beyond.