Marc Johnson is vice president for strategic initiatives in the Office of the President. He is responsible for university institutional strategic planning and strategic initiatives, including co-chairing the University Strategic Planning Committee. Johnson advances key presidential priorities and stakeholder engagements and builds cross-functional teams to pursue major strategic initiatives. In addition to leading development of the University strategic plan, he ensures tracking of ongoing plan progress. Johnson also provides strategic insights to school and unit leaders to support initiatives designed to advance the institutional plan.
Previously, Johnson served as senior associate dean for student engagement and chief strategy and innovation officer at the Darden School, leading strategic planning and innovation initiatives. In this role he partnered with the Dean and academic leadership to launch the LaCross Institute for Ethical AI in Business and led responsible AI adoption through leadership for Strategic IT. Johnson oversaw student engagement, convening the Darden Student Success Group, leaders in the areas of admissions, career development, student engagement, registration, financial aid, global programs, instructional design, and connection. Johnson partnered with student leadership in the spirit of student self-governance. He led globalization, more than doubling student participation in education abroad and building out advisory support in China and India. He started his career at UVA at the Sorensen Institute for Civic Leadership leading leadership programs on Virginia state and local government and policy.
Johnson teaches global strategy and leads global courses for Darden MBA students around the world, most recently in India, South Africa and Italy. He taught international business in the UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies’ Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. He is the co-author of entrepreneurship and business strategy case studies.
Johnson earned his doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, publishing his dissertation on advanced degrees and social mobility in the United States. Johnson holds an M.Ed. from the UVA School of Education and Human Development and MBA from Darden, where he received the C. Stewart Sheppard Award for service and the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the College of William & Mary with a Bachelor of Arts.
Johnson lives in Charlottesville with his wife (a double Hoo) and enjoys spending time traveling globally, exploring Central Virginia’s hiking and walking trails, and reading great books.
