Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

Danette Ifert Johnson (she/her/hers) joined Kalamazoo College as provost in July 2019.

Roles and Responsibilities

As the College’s chief academic officer, Danette provides academic vision for the College and serves as the spokesperson for K’s academic mission. Her responsibilities include recruitment, development and evaluation of faculty and staff; continuous evaluation and development of the curriculum; and access for students to experiential and other high-impact learning opportunities. The provost serves as a champion for both faculty and students and oversees educational affairs, activities, personnel and programs, including Academic Advising; Athletics; the Center for Career and Professional Development; the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement; the Larry J. Bell ’80 Center for Environmental Stewardship; the Office of Grants, Fellowships, and Research; Health Professions Advising; Information Services; Institutional Research; the Center for International Programs; the Registrar’s Office; and the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. 

Professional Experience

Danette previously served as vice provost at Ithaca College, where she was a tenured professor in communication studies. She also served as the inaugural director of Ithaca’s Integrative Core Curriculum. 

She has been a faculty member at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Texas Tech University in addition to Ithaca College. She served as the executive director and president of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), which has honored her as a distinguished teaching fellow and distinguished research fellow. An alumna of West Virginia Wesleyan, Danette served her alma mater as president of the alumni council and member of the board of trustees. 

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, speech communication and history, West Virginia Wesleyan College 
• Master of Arts, educational psychology, West Virginia University 
• Master of Arts and Doctorate, communication studies, Northwestern University 

Why K?

“I was initially drawn to K by a desire to return to the liberal arts college environment that was so transformative for me. K’s focus on experiential education aligns well with my view of the powerful impact higher education can have on people’s lives. Coming to work is fun because I get to support and collaborate with many outstanding and accomplished colleagues within academic affairs and across the College in support of our mission.”

Life Outside of the College

“Outside of K, I serve as a board member for the Irving S. Gilmore Piano Festival and sing alto in my church choir. I enjoy traveling, watching Baltimore Orioles baseball, and reading, as well as supporting the activities of my two teenage children.”