MJ Johnson

MJ Johnson (she/her) is a graduate student in Applied Geography at UCCS with over two decades of experience as a project and administrative specialist, most recently serving as Sustainability Program Manager and then Assistant Director for the UCCS Office of Sustainability.  She holds an Associate of Arts in Psychology from Pikes Peak State College and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography & Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainable Development from UCCS.

As the Assistant Director of Sustainability, MJ leads campus-wide initiatives that bridge strategy and innovation by coordinating high-impact programs like the annual UCCS Sustainability Summit, advancing campus-wide STBY efforts and academics through professional collaboration, increasing STARS ratings, and developing the sustainability (STBY) literacy micro-credential for students fulfilling their portfolio requirements in PORT 4000.

Her research is focused on STBY in higher education as a transformative modality, and the spatial correlation between housing instability and public health disparities in El Paso County to address individual, family, and community sustainability. MJ is passionate about building a culture of resilience and belonging at UCCS, integrating systemic sustainability into interdisciplinary academics, strategic planning, and leadership in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Favorite Quote:
“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson