News

Gordon State College Appoints New Dean of Enrollment Services

From the website of Gordon State College

Gordon State College names Melissa R. Johnson as the Dean of Enrollment Services where she will provide executive leadership for enrollment management.

Johnson’s career spans more than 25 years encompassing leadership roles in college administration, public and community relations, marketing and communications, recruitment and student advocacy, and diversity management.

“Gordon State has a rich history defined by resilience and an abiding commitment to service. GSC is poised to make even greater contributions across the region, and I am excited to be joining Highlander Nation at such a pivotal moment,” Johnson said. “The ‘Power of We’ truly defines how everyone works together to support GSC students to success. I look forward to joining these efforts.”

In 2016, Johnson joined the staff of Aiken Technical College as the director of recruitment and student experience, later becoming director of strategic partnerships where she worked to expand dual enrollment programming and educational partnerships for the college. She served on various committees for strategic planning and special outreach initiatives and was the campus representative to Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO). She also held appointments with the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) Dual Enrollment Peer Group and SC Commission on Higher Education College Goals Sub-Committee.

Johnson held various positions in the University System of Georgia including director of internal relations and later coordinator of marketing and multicultural affairs at Augusta University College of Nursing. She held roles in advancement, admissions and public relations at Georgia Southern University, Medical College of Georgia (now Augusta University), and Screven County Public Schools.

A native of Sylvania, Georgia, Johnson graduated from Agnes Scott College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in art and mathematics. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University where she currently is pursuing a Doctor of Education in higher education leadership. In 2019, she was a graduate of the HERS Institute for women leaders in higher education as well as a 2022 graduate of the SCTCS Leadership Academy.

Over the course of Johnson’s academic career, she has received numerous honors including being named Woman on the Move in 2018 by the SC Chapter American Association of Women in Community Colleges. Johnson was the 2020 recipient of the SACRAO Multi-Cultural Emerging Leaders Scholarship and holds professional memberships with CACRAO, SACRAO, and AAUW.

Johnson is an avid supporter of the arts and youth empowerment programs.