Dr. Michele E. Johnson currently serves as an Assistant Professor for Officer Development Integration at the Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD), United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. She is responsible for the integration of character and leader development efforts across the institution and also instructs cadets on leadership. The Center is integral to the Academy’s mission of graduating officers of character and integrating the Air Force’s Core Values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence for faculty, staff, and cadets.

Dr. Johnson is an Air Force veteran, commissioned in 1995 as a distinguished graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Saint Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont. During her 25-year active duty career, she served as a cyberspace officer and an educator. Dr. Johnson joined the CCLD team in July 2020.

1995 Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Saint Michael’s College, Winooski, Vt.

2003 Master of Science, Information Resource Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Ohio

2007 Master of Arts, Counseling & Leadership, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

2015 Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership, Research, & Policy, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Wing Protocol Officer, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California (August 1995 – December 1997)

Deputy Commander, Plans & Programs Flight, 9th Communications Squadron, Beale AFB, California (December 1997 – January 1999)

Executive Officer, 88th Communications Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (January 1999 – May 2000)

Commander, C4 Systems Flight, 88th Communications Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (May 2000 – August 2001)

Masters Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio (August 2001 – March 2003)

Program Manager, Consolidated Air Mobility Planning System, Communications & Information Directorate, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois (April 2003 – May 2006)

Student, Intermediate Developmental Education, USAFA Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Master’s Program, Colorado Springs, Colorado (May 2006 – May 2007)

Commander, Cadet Squadron 16, USAFA, Colorado (May 2007 – May 2009)

Program Director, National Character & Leadership Symposium, USAFA, Colorado (May 2009 – June 2010)

Commander, 321st Training Squadron, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas (June 2010 – June 2012)

Doctoral Student, Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Program, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (Educational Leadership, Research, & Foundations) (August 2012 – June 2015)

Chief, Cadet Development Division, Center for Character & Leadership Development, USAFA, Colorado (June 2015 – July 2016)

Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. (August 2016 – June 2018)

Dean of Students and Support, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (June 2018 – June 2020)

Assistant Professor of Officer Development Integration, Center for Character & Leadership Development, USAFA, Colorado (July 2020 – present)

Legion of Merit

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal