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Randy Johnson, Ph.D

Director of Student Success


randal.johnson@umwestern.edu

406-683-7311

Main Hall 212

Biography

I am a transplant to Montana, from Utah, and feel lucky to live in such an amazing state!  I graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.A. in Child Development and Family Relations, then an M.S. in Sociology.  I did my Ph.D. work at the University of Washington in Seattle in Sociology/Gerontology.  I completed a 3-year post-doctoral research fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.  My research agenda was primarily Social Gerontology.  I’ve done a lot of things during my career, but I can definitely say that my favorite gigs have been those that let me work directly with students.  I’ve performed music since I was 10 yrs old, and am currently learning how to build high-end, hand-crafted acoustic guitars.
I put myself through my undergrad degree by being the lead singer/rhythm guitar in a Top 40’s cover band.  So, the song that most reminds me of college is a tie between “867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy TuTone and “Ride Like The Wind” by Christopher Cross…they were my favorites to sing.
My favorite GenEd course was ARTH 110: Art History.
I drove a 1966 Mustang coupe for most of my college.
Advice to current students:  Try very hard not to lose sight of your educational goals!