Royel M. Johnson

Royel M. Johnson is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) Race and Equity Center and Rossier School of Education, with a courtesy appointment in the Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. He co-chairs USC’s PhD in Education program and directs the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates, the nation’s leading tool for campus racial climate evaluation.

• Education: BA in Political Science (University of Illinois), EdM in Educational Policy Studies (University of Illinois), PhD in Higher Education and Student Affairs (The Ohio State University)

His research focuses on racial equity, educational access, and student success for Black and intersectionally marginalized groups affected by criminal punishment, child welfare, and inequitable educational systems. His work connects with policy through initiatives like the RISE training program for underrepresented undergraduates.

Recent publications address systemic anti-racist change via Chief Equity Officers, campus racial climates, and educational pipelines linking foster care/prison systems to higher education. Awards include the 2024 USC Excellence in Research Award, 2023 DEIA Visionary recognition, and 2022 AERA Early Career Award.

He serves on editorial boards for Review of Higher Education and Journal of Higher Education, while delivering over 125 invited talks. His $5.3M+ in grants from Spencer Foundation and IES fund equity-focused research collaborations.

As Co-Director of the Research Institute for Scholars of Equity (RISE), he develops programs preparing minoritized students for doctoral study through mixed-methods research training initiatives.