Dr. Keith V. Johnson is a trailblazer dedicated to transforming STEM education and empowering the next generation of problem solvers. The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) honored his vast accomplishments in engineering technology education with the 2024 James H. McGraw Award.
This award recognizes outstanding service in engineering technology education, which Johnson’s career exemplifies through mentorship, innovation and a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Reflecting on his journey, Johnson emphasized the importance of paying it forward. “So many people were invested in my career. With all that support, there was no option of failing,” he remarked. Now, as vice president for equity and inclusion and professor and chair of engineering, engineering technology and surveying at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Johnson drives initiatives to expand access to STEM education, ensuring students have the same opportunities he once had.
Johnson’s upbringing shaped his journey into academia and engineering technology. With a family full of educators, including his mother, a school superintendent, Johnson naturally gravitated toward a career in education. Growing up on a farm, he honed his engineering skills by fixing machines with his father, sparking his passion for the field. “I just got into the routine of critically thinking about what it was before me, coming up with a plan of fixing it and going through the motions of actually fixing it,” he said. “Living in a rural area as a kid, we didn’t have a lot of merchants close by that we could go to for parts. So, we had to be creative with our solution and I learned how to improvise, I learned how to be creative.”
Johnson’s creative problem-solving skills were crucial when the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Governor’s office sought ETSU’s help during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He quickly set up a “small business” on campus, leading the production of over 13,000 face shields for health care facilities in Tennessee and West Virginia. What started as a two-person operation rapidly expanded to include ETSU faculty, staff and even inmates from the Northeast Correctional Complex, located in Mountain City, Tennessee.
Transforming Engineering Education for All
Knowing that engineering technology is an essential field, Johnson works continuously to ensure students have the same support he did. He spearheaded the first joint engineering degree program in Tennessee between ETSU and Tennessee Technical University. Johnson also established cohort programs with community colleges in Tennessee, enabling students to complete their four-year degrees without leaving their community college campuses. By delivering the final two years of the bachelor’s degree on-site, with ETSU advisors visiting regularly to ensure a smooth transition, Johnson made higher education more accessible and convenient for these students.
At ETSU, Johnson led his department faculty in the curriculum design for the mechatronics engineering program, launched fall 2024. Johnson and his team are currently in the “exploratory stages” of establishing a bioengineering program.
Johnson focuses on student retention in these programs through initiatives like the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center, B.U.C.S. Academy (Building Up College Success) and the Dr. Patricia Robertson PRIDE Center. Johnson founded the ETSU National Society of Black Engineers (NESBE) chapter, which offers a mentoring program. Even going beyond students, his “a diverse ETSU” initiative has been instrumental in recruiting and retaining faculty of color.
“Inclusion is going to be the key to success for producing future engineers in this country. If we don’t do that, we’re going to lose a lot of talent,” Johnson emphasized.
Continuing his commitment to equity, Johnson is actively involved in the “Moon Shot for Equity” initiative, which aims to close equity gaps in higher education, reflecting his mission to create opportunities for all students, regardless of their background.
Johnson is also committed to connecting with and personally mentoring students, something he experienced throughout his academic journey pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocational industrial education at North Carolina A&T State University and a Ph.D. in technology education at the Ohio State University. “I’ve taken all of that [support], and that’s been my platform for encouraging students to remain in college or university and be successful,” Johnson said. He continues to stay in contact with his mentors, Dr. Clifton McMullen and Dr. Frank Croft with phone calls and occasional dinners. He also honors the memory of the late Dr. Michael Scott, who was a significant influence on his career. In turn, he provides the same support for his students after graduation.
Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers
Johnson is also committed to supporting students before they enroll at ETSU. One initiative, likened to “Take Your Child to Work Day,” invites high school juniors and seniors to campus to explore robotics, 3D printing, and drones. Johnson also partners with local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and Langston Centre to deliver STEM education directly to K-12 students.
ETSU’s summer STEM enrichment academy, led by Johnson and supported by local industries, offers high school students immersive, hands-on learning experiences. Over three weeks, students build robots and explore renewable energy, guided by ETSU faculty and industry professionals. The program not only introduces students to STEM but also gives them a head start on their college journey, offering scholarships to ETSU and two credit hours toward their degree.
The program’s success is clear, with one senior already committing to attend ETSU this fall. Johnson is now planning “part B” of the camp to allow returning students to deepen their STEM knowledge and advance on their path to becoming engineers.
As Johnson expands these initiatives, he remains focused on one overarching goal: creating a future where every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed in STEM. His commitment to engineering technology education for all is essential and well-deserving of the 2024 ASEE James H. McGraw Award.
