• National University
• News and Events
  • National University News
    • ABA Approves National University Paralegal Studies Programs in Los Angeles
    • Dr. Jerry C. Lee Appoints Dr. Dana Gibson as Third National University President
    • Drs. Ashton and Heveron Appointed 2008 Baldrige Examiners
    • Meredith Baxter to Speak at National University's Southern California Commencement
    • National Leads California in Preparing Credentialed Teachers for Eighth Consecutive Year
    • National Leads Nation in Granting Master's Degrees in Education to Minority Students
    • National Tops Nationwide Benchmarks for Academic Challenge
    • National University Alum Lewis Chappelear Nominated for National Teacher of the Year Award
    • National University and California Community Colleges Renew Transfer Agreement
    • National University Demonstrates Excellence with One Quarter of National Board Certified Teachers
    • National University Leads California in Granting Master's Degrees in Education to Asian Americans
    • National University Leads California in Granting Master's Degrees in Education to Native Americans
    • National University Leads California in Granting Master's Degrees to African Americans
    • National University Leads California in Granting Master's Degrees to Hispanic Americans
    • National University recognizes local businesses with Peak Performance Awards
    • National University System to Open K-12 Charter School Focused on Health Care Education
    • National University's Endowment Continues to Rank Among Nation's 200 Largest
    • Student Concierge Services Expands to Seven Days a Week
    • Three National University Named 2008 California Teachers of the Year
  • Media Experts Directory
  • Awards, Grants & Recognition
  • National University Events
  • National University Publications
  • Sponsorship
• Conference Services
• Employment at National University

Dr. Gloria Johnston named Dean of School of Education

September 1, 2005

La Jolla, Calif. – Dr. Gloria Johnston has been named Dean of the School of Education (SOE), National University System Chancellor and National University President Dr. Jerry C. Lee announced today.

Dr. Johnston brings to National University more than 30 years of experience as an instructor, tutor, bilingual teacher, principal, school district director, and superintendent.

"At National University, we value people who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge, and few have given more to education than Dr. Johnston," said Dr. Lee. "She has been successful as a superintendent, principal, and administrator, but most importantly she's a quality educator first."

"National University and its School of Education produce more credentialed teachers of color than any other institution of higher learning in California," said Dr. Johnston. "The opportunity to carry on that tradition, and build upon it, was an offer that I just couldn't turn down.  This carries forward my commitment to provide a diverse teaching force for the children and young people of California."

Dr. Johnston has been a superintendent since 1993, including the past six-and-a-half years (1999-2005) with the West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond, California, where she guided a culturally-diverse, urban school district of more than 33,000 students in 60 schools.  From 1993-99, Dr. Johnston was the superintendent of the Banning Unified School District in Riverside County, California.

Dr. Johnston has ties to San Diego. From 1988-93, she was a central office administrator for the Poway Unified School District.  Previously, Dr. Johnston was the principal for Oakhill School (1985-88) in Elgin, Illinois. She was also the director of bilingual education (1980-85) and a bilingual teacher (1977-80) for School District U-46 in Elgin. In addition, she was an instructor at Elgin Community College (1975-77) and a tutor for School District 303 in St. Charles, Illinois. Dr. Johnston began her career in education teaching English as a second language at Colegio Americano and Insituto Venezolano-Americano in Caracas, Venezuela (1966-69). 

Dr. Johnston earned a Ph.D. in public policy analysis from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She earned a master's degree in bilingual/bicultural education and bachelor's in education from Northern Illinois University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She earned her associate's degree from Elgin Community College.

Dr. Johnston has been a district-level administrator in the areas of bilingual education, curriculum development, student assessment, state and federal categorical programs, preschool services, and human relations.

National University recommends more candidates for teaching credentials than any other college or university in California. Graduates and students who earn their teaching credentials from its School of Education are recognized as some of the state's best educators, based upon assessments by the National Blue Ribbon School competition, the California Distinguished School Program, and various Teacher of the Year competitions.

- END -