Dr. Dawn Johnston is an award-winning postsecondary leader, bringing excellence in faculty and university-wide initiatives in teaching, learning and student engagement, national and international scholarly recognition, and a values-driven approach to leadership and community building.
Alberta University of the Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dawn Johnston as Vice-President, Academic, effective January 9, 2026.
Johnston was selected after an extensive international search and will lead the University's academic portfolio, ensuring the success of undergraduate and graduate programs, academic plan development and delivery, teaching and learning initiatives, research and creative practice opportunities and strategic planning.
Johnston most recently served as Associate Dean (Teaching, Learning and Student Engagement) in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary, a position she held for almost ten years. Throughout her leadership in this position, she was committed to expanding curricular experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities, including developing and encouraging flexible offerings, first in family and Indigenous student opportunities. Johnston has held a faculty position at the University of Calgary since 2007 as Teaching Professor in Communication, Media and Film.
She is an award-winning leader recognized for her teaching and learning acumen, including the 2022 University of Calgary Award for Educational Leadership. As a nationally and internationally recognized scholar, Johnston has published and presented at venues such as the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the World Association of Cooperative Education International Research Symposium. Her research includes experiential and work-integrated learning with a particular interest in student access, and her disciplinary and teaching interests circulate gender and sexuality in media and popular culture.
Johnston self-describes as a values-driven leader, for whom centering student learning experiences and promoting a thriving environment for faculty and staff is paramount to success. President and CEO Dr. Janis Goldie shared about Johnston’s appointment, ‘Dr. Johnston’s unwavering commitment and leadership in teaching and learning excellence and student experience, and her depth of experience across faculty, with research, education practices, and planning, are an incredible fit for AUArts. As we enter our Centennial in 2026, Dr. Johnston’s leadership will continue this institution’s legacy of excellence in art, craft and design education, and will steward AUArts as a global leader for the future.’
The Vice President, Academic portfolio is AUArts’ most senior academic officer. The role includes responsibility for academic programs, the academic plan, research and creative practice activities and teaching and learning. Johnston’s experience across postsecondary as an educator and administrator will support AUArts’ students, faculty, staff and community in leading this portfolio, including research engagement, teaching and learning initiatives, curriculum development and academic programs. . Alberta University of the Arts’ impact and legacy over the last 100 years has supported and inspired a global community of artists, craftspeople and designers. With 2026 marking this milestone, Johnston’s foundational commitment to relationships and community building comes at a particularly unique and important time, in celebrating AUArts’ history and ushering in its innovative future.
Johnston shared, ‘I couldn’t be more excited to join the thriving creative and academic community at AUArts, especially at this incredible time of celebration and reflection as AUArts enters its centennial year. I’m eager to get to know the faculty, staff and students that drive the exceptional reputation that AUArts has in Calgary, across the country, and around the world.’
