Dr. Jay Johnson, the associate provost for academic operations and development at Northwest Missouri State University was recognized Tuesday by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to education in the Kansas City region.

The Chamber recognized Johnson as an Excellence in Higher Education honoree during its 34th Annual Excellence in Education Event. The award celebrates an outstanding instructor, professor or administrative staff member who has made a significant commitment to education at their institution.

Johnson joined Northwest in 2018 and was appointed interim director of Northwest-Kansas City in February 2019. He has led planning processes aimed at guiding Northwest-Kansas City, which operates at the Northland Innovation Campus in Gladstone, Missouri, toward prosperous future. Johnson also provides oversight of the registrar’s office, TRIO programs, and partnership and placement initiatives at Northwest.

Johnson’s nomination for the honor recognized his vision to maintain the rigor and quality education for which Northwest is known at its Kansas City location while promoting the campus extension’s unique position to offer completion programs and non-credit courses for individuals interested in continuing their education. He is known as a champion for employees while demonstrating support and respect for independent thought.

“Dr. Johnson has exemplified strategic leadership and sharp business acumen throughout the planning of Northwest-Kansas City’s future,” his nominator said. “He builds significant, long-lasting relationships within the University and to numerous external stakeholders. His strategic thinking continues to evolve the vision of higher education’s future and has secured Northwest-Kansas City’s position in the Northland.”

Joining Johnson as Excellence in Higher Education honorees were Crystal G. Moore of Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods, Dr. Suzanne Tiemann of Park University and Dr. Lori Wetmore of William Jewell College.

“These individuals and the institutions they are associated with put the polish on the work started by k-12 teachers, and they welcome returning adult learners of all ages back into the academic fold,” Nicole Kirby, the Chamber’s Education Committee vice chair said during the event, which was broadcast online as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

 

About Northwest-Kansas City

Northwest-Kansas City, which is located at the Northland Innovation Campus in Gladstone, offers opportunities to complete undergraduate completion programs in applied science, business, marketing, communication, education, health science, psychology and technology. Northwest-Kansas City also provides client-based training and partners with a variety of organizations to offer credit, non-credit and continuing education professional development opportunities.

For more information about Northwest-Kansas City, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/kc/.