Johnny R. Green, PH.D.

Dr. Johnny R. Green Sr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. Those were turbulent and challenging times in the city of Birmingham and across the Deep South. That upbringing would leave an indelible mark on his academic interests and passions. After being educated in the Birmingham City Schools system, he attended Auburn University where he was a student athlete (football). Dr. Green returned to Auburn as a faculty member from 1998-2002 and from 2002-2019 was thrust into the administrative side of the institution, where he would spend the next 18 years in a wide range of roles from Director of Diversity, Dean of Students, to Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs. Throughout his entire career, Dr. Green kept one foot in the political science department as an instructor, never straying far away from his original academic beginnings. Dr. Green has written and researched areas related to the power of interest groups, regime theory, racial justice and politics in the Deep South.

JOHNNY R. GREEN, PH.D.

Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
1005 State University Dr.
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, GA 31030-4313

EDUCATION

M.B.A., Auburn University, Auburn, Al., 2012-2014.
This MBA program focused on business leadership, and included the following concentration: Organizational Leadership, Ethics and Change, Global Business Experience, Marketing and Consumer Theory, Financial Analysis, and included other courses that were designed to cover all aspects of individual and group behavior in organizations, effective team building, and leading organizations through change. The skills that are developed from this degree program included effective communication skills, expert problem solving, networking, managing business/social pressure, strategic research and analysis, and best practice leadership for today’s business world.

Peabody Professional Institute Fellow June 2007. Vanderbilt, University.
Week-long, all day sessions that focused on higher education management and fundraising, charter and independent schools, human resources and academic libraries.

Oxford Round Table, Oxford University, England July 2007.
Week-long symposium that provided updated and relevant information for all areas of higher education.

Ph.D., Public Administration and Public Policy, Auburn University, Auburn, Al., 1994-1998.
Concentrations: American Political Economy, Sothern Politics, Public Budgeting and Finance, and Public Policy Analysis.
Dissertation Title: “The Big Mules and Mercedes Benz: Applying Regime Theory to Alabama’s Modern Political Economy”

Yale University Community Renaissance Fellow, 1997-1998.
This nationally rated program, which selected only 20 people from the 629 four-year public institutions in the U.S., sponsored a two-year program that placed Fellows in various cities across the nation (Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, etc.) to be engaged in neighborhood redevelopment (Housing, economic development, etc.) I was fortunate to learn all aspects of real estate development from the “bricks and sticks” to real estate finance. Our team, located in Atlanta, worked for the firm that developed the Olympic Village Housing and Centennial Olympic Park downtown. I also had the opportunity to partner with a local property owner and develop a subdivision in Auburn, Alabama from the knowledge I gleaned in this program.

M.P.A., Auburn University at Montgomery, 1991-1993.
Area of concentration: Public Policy and Public Budgeting.

B.S., Education, Auburn University, Auburn, Al., 1978-1985.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Outreach, February 1, 2016 – January 31, 2019.
Served as a senior member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team and reported directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Provided vision and leadership in the development and administration of a vibrant campus life program that engages the entire campus community using nationally recognized best practices. This position supervised and had oversight for the following areas: Veterans Resource Center, Off Campus Housing Program, Mentoring Programs, and all community relations. I was also responsible for the Strategic Diversity Plan for Student Affairs and facilitating contract negotiations for programming and services.

In terms of skills development, I was responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating a wide range of activities, programs, and services that enhanced the quality of student life at Auburn University. Other skills included strategic planning, systematic decision-making, and knowledge of significant current issues affecting the administration of student life functions (e.g., legal issues, student development theory, risk management policies, multicultural issues, etc.)

Other Duties and Responsibilities included:

• Assist the Vice President in the planning, administration, and leadership of the Division of Student Affairs.
• Provide vision for the development and implementation of a comprehensive student life program.
• Provide leadership in the areas of planning, human resources, policy development, operational, facility, and budgetary aspects for all reporting departments.
• Develop and implement services, activities, and opportunities that complete the student experience and enhance their adjustment to and participation in college life with the specific purpose of increasing student retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Provide direct supervision, training and evaluation of programs and staff in all oversight units
• Responsible for key role in the implementation of the Division’s strategic plan.
• Participate in Student Affairs related fundraising and development activities.
• Serve on the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

Founding Director, Auburn University Student Veterans Resource Center,
November 2010 – February 2016.
Opening in November 2010, responsible for the Veterans Resource Center start-up, staffing and programming. The Veterans Students Resource Center (VRC) at Auburn University exists to support veteran students by providing a central resource to identify academic resources, financial advising, and professional, personal, and career development designed to equip students with the skills necessary to achieve their educational and professional goals. Skills utilized in this role included the following:

• Provided overall guidance and leadership in the development, planning, and implementation of comprehensive services and programs that supported the success of the individual student veteran, the veteran campus community, and for veteran’s dependents who are eligible for benefits from the federal or state governments.
• Provided leadership and management for the VRC, including veteran’s certification. Ensured all efforts were aligned with the University’s and Student Affairs’ strategic plan and goals.
• Responsible for forging effective working relationships with staff, faculty and community service agencies to provide appropriate student support, referrals and access to resources.
• Explored current issues as they relate to military veterans returning to college and provided solution-oriented problem solving and program development that supported student veteran academic achievement, engagement in High Impact Practices, and student veteran retention and graduation.
• Interviewed, hired, supervised and participated in the training of full-time staff, student assistants, VA work-study, and student interns.
• Ensured that Auburn University was in compliance with Veterans Administration and other required guidelines in the veterans certification process, especially as it pertains to the maintenance of student records, setting and maintaining the certification calendar, and in ensuring the campus meets or exceeds VA accountability/reporting requirements.
• Promoted an environment of inclusion and cultural sensitivity and served as a first point of response to veterans and/or veteran’s dependents who raise issues or concerns about the services provided by the VRC.
• Served as a representative at local, state and federal level pertaining to veterans’ programs and services. Responsible for the assessment of services and program goals and prepared ongoing and end-of-year reports, participated in grant-writing and other fundraising efforts.

Services are designed to meet the particular needs and interests of veteran students and include:

• A central academic space where students can obtain information pertaining to veteran students’ services provided by the University.
• The dissemination of campus information to veteran students; (as well as active duty military members who are interested in attending Auburn University).
• A central location where veteran student’s issues can be resolved.
• Integration of various campus offices in a central location.
• Redesigned orientation program to better serve student veterans.
• Increased coordination with the State of Alabama Veterans Association.
• Review of withdrawal policies for veterans who are called to active duty during the semester which led to a university policy change.

Auburn University was named to G.I. Jobs magazine’s list of Military Friendly Schools for 2012, 2013 and 2014 “for being among the top 15 percent of schools nationwide that deliver the best experience for military students.”
The journal Military Advanced Education awarded Auburn University the designation of a top school in the 2015 Military Advanced Education Guide to Colleges & Universities, measuring best practices in military and veteran education. The 2014 and 2015 lists were compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. Auburn is one of 1,700 U.S. colleges, universities and trade schools cited as doing the most to educate America’s veterans.

Major Gift Officer, Office of Development, July 2009-November 2010.
Responsible for financial gift support to the institution by seeking private contributions in order to support educational and research programs. Responsible for managing relationships with corporations, foundations and individuals from who funds are sought for various programs and projects of the units.

Skills utilized in this role included:

• Weekly regional and statewide visits with alumni and potential donors to communicate information regarding programs which they requested more information. Effective verbal communication was critical to the success in this role.
• Working weekly/monthly with Deans and department heads on development strategy based on the department’s goals and needs.
• Required to manage personnel and vendors.
• Worked with donor databases.
• Strong computer skills, including facility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Supervisory experience.
• Advanced knowledge of business process management and data quality control processes.
• Strong collaborative problem solving and analytical skills and ability to manage a team were critical to our success.
• Detail oriented, highly organized, and able to meet tight deadlines.
• The position required excellent people skills.

Dean of Students, Auburn University, July 2006 – July 2009.
I served as Dean of Students at Auburn University for three years and was responsible for all Student Affairs/Student Life related matters. I reported directly to the President and provided leadership and strategic direction for all student affairs units including:

• Dining Services, Housing, Counseling, Career Services, Student Life, Student Health Center, and Health and Wellness.
• Member of the Auburn Parents Association Board of Directors.
• Student Recruiting visits (Athletic and Academic).
• Oversight responsibility for over 300 student organizations.

Knowledge, skill and abilities utilized in this role:

• Extensive knowledge of higher education polices, regulations, and trends with an emphasis on Student Affairs. I was tangentially involved in athletics via my role as Dean of Students, as Chaplain to the Men’s Basketball program, and as a Football Letterman.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage effectively with constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, parents, community leaders, and Board of Trustees.
  • I was involved in the planning, construction, completion and programming of a new 189,000 square feet Auburn University Student Center completed in Fall 2008.
  • In total, during my time as Dean of Students, I was responsible for over 60 employees, 300 student employees, 300 student organizations and a multi-million dollar budget.
• Total number of staff in all the areas that reported to me during my 3-year tenure as Dean of Students
  • Professional: 22
  • Administrative/classified: 23
  • Graduate student/paraprofessional student: 15
  • Building Specialists: 20
• Number of Direct Reports and Titles: 11
  • Director, Medical Clinic
  • Director, Counseling Services
  • Manager, Communication Resources
  • Director, Auburn Student Center
  • Director, Student Development Programs
  • Director, Judicial Affairs
  • Director, Greek Life
  • Director, Recreational Services
  • Advisor, the Auburn Plainsman
  • Advisor, International Student Life
  • Executive Asst./Business Manager
• Implemented Campus Night Transit line. Using multiple mini-buses traveling to all external Transit destinations and is complemented by the Night Security Shuttle Van Service operated by the A.U. Department of Public Safety to provide safe rides from any on-campus location to any on-campus location seven days a week to enhance campus safety for students.
• Implemented the student Dining Plan in the fall of 2008 to enhance the student on-campus living experience.
• Involved in the development of the Village, a new 8 residence hall community that includes a dining facility that combines sorority chapter meeting spaces, student (and learning community faculty) living space, and housing for freshmen women (1700 rooms), a new dining facility, and new learning communities. A well-designed housing and dining program must provide convenience for on-campus living and allow students to focus on their studies, adjust to college life more easily, and provides social support systems.
• Worked with the SGA to plan a new state-of-the-art recreational facility designed to create a campus-wide culture that promotes healthy lifestyles, enhances the recreational experience and provide a broad intramural program for students.
• Fall 2008 – Implemented the Policy of Parent Notification of Alcohol and Drug Incidents.

Special Assistant to the Provost, Auburn University, March 2002 – January 2006.
As Special Assistant to the Provost Dr. John Pritchett, I was responsible for supporting his office through a wide range of professional tasks including: managing the Provost’s student affairs activities; coordination of academic program reviews, curriculum proposals and approvals; represented the Provost’s Office on university committees; helped prepare speeches, citations, and other communications; I served as the Provost’s liaison with the campus and outside community; I also helped arrange a number of special events for the Office of the Provost. This position required the ability to work with minimal supervision and maintain the highest level of confidentiality. A very high level of discretion was required from this position due to exposure and access to highly confidential and sensitive information within the Provost’s Office, including personnel records, academic situations, policy formulation, Board of Trustees material, etc.

• Appointed Chief Diversity Officer. Responsible for recruiting and retaining minority faculty, staff, and students as well as diversity training and multi-cultural understanding, and cultural heritage month recognition/celebration.
• Directed the University’s first and only Center for Diversity and Race Relations from its conceptual through construction stages to staffing and programming.
• Developed two unique transition to college programs. One was called the “STEP” (Summer Transition Enhancement Program for incoming disadvantaged students, and the most recent evolution of the program is now titled the “PLUS” (Provost Leadership Undergraduate Scholarship) program. I conceptualized, planned, structured, and developed both programs. PLUS is currently being administered by the office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and has received several awards and financial donations.

Instructor, Political Science Department, Auburn University, 2002 – 2018.

Assistant Professor, Political Science Department, Auburn University, September 1998 – May 2002.

Interim Director, Office of Minority Advancement, Auburn University, April 1999
Jan. 2000.

Legislative Fiscal Analyst, State of Alabama, August 1993- September 1994.
Duties included:

• Compiled fiscal and budgetary data and conducted fiscal-oriented research for the State of Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, other legislative committees, and individual legislators.
• Developed active, positive relationships with personnel in the agencies to which I was assigned.
• Analyzed programs administered by state agencies through the use of statistical analysis.
• Reviewed legislation and analyzed proposed legislation for potential fiscal impacts on state and local government.
• Developed and provided training and orientation for staff and legislators.
• Communicated daily with legislators, legislative staff, to develop materials for their review.
• Conducted feasibility research for state agencies and state legislators.

TEACHING FIELDS

• American Political Economy.
• American Government.
• State & Local Government.
• Southern Politics.
• Urban Politics.
• Policy Analysis.
• African American Politics.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
• Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
• American Council on Education (ACE)
• Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
• Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

AWARDS

• Golden Key Honor Society.
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
• Pan Hellenic Outstanding Professor. Winter 2000.
• Renaissance Fellow, Yale University, 1997-1999.
• President’s Graduate Opportunity Program Fellow, Auburn University, 1994-1996.
• Auburn University Football Scholarship, 1979-1981.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Judge Frank M. Johnson Centennial Planning Committee, 2018.
• Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to the Delta Leadership Institute class of 2017-2018.
• Appointed by Governor Robert Bentley to the Alabama State Service Commission for Faith Based Initiatives 2013-2015.
• Board Member, Auburn Arts Association.
• Member of Diversity Leadership Committee, responsible for the Auburn University Strategic Diversity Plan approved by the Board of Trustees 2002-2005.
• Oxford Round Table, Oxford University, England July 2007.
• Vice Chairman, North Auburn Housing Corporation, 2004 –2009.
• Faculty Mentor, Auburn University Men’s Basketball, 1997- 2006.
• Chairman, Auburn Planning Commission, July 2005 – July/2006.
• Founding Board Member, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County.
• Auburn University Football team defensive back, 1978-1981.

PUBLICATIONS

• “Globalization’s Impact on State-Local Economic Development Policy”, accepted for publication in Policy Studies Review, Fall 2000.

RESEARCH

• Plantation, Inc. Meets the Global Economy.
• “Black Community Power and the White Power Structure: A Comparative Study.”
• “Black Power and the Politics of Constitutional Change.”

CONFERENCE PAPERS

• “Black Power and the Politics of Constitutional Change.” National Conference of the American Society for Public Administration, Atlanta, Georgia, September, 1999.
• “Moving Beyond the Growth Machine? Political Regimes and Sub- national Development Strategies.” National Conference of the American Society for Public Administration, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 26-30, 1997.