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Alumnus named to lead Lansing branch campus

May 20, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University has selected an alumnus with 10 years of higher education experience to lead its branch campus in Lansing, Mich.

Dr. Darrell Johnson assumed his duties as director of WMU-Lansing May 3. He replaces Gus H. Breymann, who retired in February after more than 22 years with the University.

Johnson knows WMU well. He was a graduate student on its main campus in Kalamazoo from 2000 to 2003 while completing a doctor of philosophy degree in counselor education with a concentration in student affairs in higher education and higher education administration.

Prior to that, Johnson served as manager of recruitment and retention for the Graduate Education for Minorities Consortium at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., from 1998 to 2000. He also was coordinator of engineering recruitment and admissions at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., from 1997 to 1998 and associate director of admissions and coordinator of minority recruitment at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., from 1990 to 1997.

Johnson put that previous work experience to good use while a Ph.D. student at WMU by serving as a doctoral intern and then a doctoral associate in the Division of Multicultural Affairs from 2001 to 2003. His activities included designing and implementing a focused orientation program for incoming minority freshmen, supervising MLK Academy Leaders, and providing academic advising and counseling.

In addition to his doctorate, Johnson has a master of arts degree in counseling in higher education administration from WMU, a master of education degree in educational leadership and higher education administration from GVSU, and a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Michigan State University. He is a licensed professional counselor as well as a nationally certified counselor.

Johnson has received several awards, including a Carl Brown Fellowship from the National Association of College Administrators and Counselors and a National Collegiate Scholar Award as well as a King, Chavez, Parks Fellowship from WMU's Graduate College. He is a member of numerous professional associations and has been active in the Kalamazoo community as an associate minister for Christ Temple Church.

WMU began offering courses in Lansing in 1974. It opened a center in the city's downtown five years later and moved to the Verndale Office Park, 6105 W. Saint Joseph Hwy., in 2000.

The relocation has allowed WMU-Lansing to consolidate its course offerings as well as expand its instructional space and add computer and interactive television classrooms. The campus currently offers 11 academic programs and annually serves some 1,700 students.

Its newest program is the result of a 2001 partnership with the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing and leads to a doctor of law degree as well as an MPA degree with a concentration in public law.

Graduate students also may pursue a doctor of philosophy degree in public administration; an MPA degree; an MPA degree with a concentration in health care administration; a master of arts degree in family and consumer sciences; and graduate certificates in educational technology, health care administration, and nonprofit leadership and administration.

At the undergraduate level, three programs are offered leading to a bachelor of science degree: interdisciplinary health services, occupational education studies, and family studies with an emphasis on child development.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
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