BJML Dean
Dr. Calvin Johnson Appointed Dean of TSU’s SOPA
Texas Southern University has named longtime policy researcher and research leader Calvin Johnson, Ph.D., as the new Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs following a nationwide search.
Johnson joins Texas Southern from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Policy Development and Research where he served 12 years as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring. In his capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary, he served as one of the principal advisors to HUD leadership on research, demonstration, and evaluation activities. He oversaw a broad evaluation portfolio, including projects exploring the impact of housing on non-housing outcomes, economic self-sufficiency, health and wellness, and educational achievement. His oversight included an active research portfolio that totaled more than $90 million.
“Dr. Johnson’s combination of experience in academia, research, policy, and as a practitioner make him uniquely qualified to lead the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs as it continues to meet the needs of an evolving public affairs ecosystem,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carl B. Goodman. “He is a forward-thinking leader who has served in spaces that I know will benefit our students, faculty and staff. I am pleased to welcome him to Texas Southern, and I look forward to the work we will do together to elevate our public affairs programming.”
He brings over 30 years of leadership in research and policy development. Prior to joining HUD, Dr. Johnson served dual roles as the Associate Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation and the Performance Improvement Officer at the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA). While there, he was principal advisor to the Director and technical and program advisor to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s federal stakeholders, which included the CJCC U.S. Parole Commission, Superior Court for the District of Columbia, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia.
“I am both honored and thrilled to be appointed as the Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs (SOPA),” said Dr. Johnson. “I anticipate collaborating with our dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders to advance programs that are intellectually stimulating, closely aligned with the high-demand skills sought in today’s workforce and rooted in the principle of service to others as a cornerstone of effective leadership.
Dr. Johnson has also served in research, evaluation, and policy positions at the University of Pennsylvania, The Urban Institute, and with the Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia. His expertise has earned national recognition. In 2020, he was elected as a Fellow for the congressionally chartered National Academy of Public Administration. Additionally, he serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.
“Our team at SOPA bears an awesome responsibility to rise to the challenges articulated by Barbara Jordan: ‘The imperative is to define what is right and to do it,’ and by Mickey Leland: ‘We’ve got to help resolve the problems…suffering people need our help.’ I am excited to forge partnerships both within and beyond SOPA that will cultivate academic programming and service opportunities, honoring the enduring legacy of our school’s namesakes.”
Dr. Johnson received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Eastern Washington University. He also earned his master’s degree in Sociology/Research Methods from Temple University and a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland-College Park.
He assumed the role of Dean effective November 3.
calvin.johnson@tsu.edu Office Location: PAB 415F
Jasmine M. Drake
Ph.D, Interim Associate Dean
Office Location: Public Affairs Building Deans Suite
E-Mail: jasmine.drake@tsu.edu | Phone:
Jasmine M. Drake serves as the interim associate dean and an associate professor in the BJ-ML School of Public Affairs and as the laboratory coordinator of the Forensic Science Learning Laboratory at Texas Southern University. Since 2016, she has also served as a Governor-appointed commissioner on the Texas Forensic Science Commission. She earned a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Southern University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Louisiana State University. Her current research focuses on disparities in drug policies and the identification and characterization of emerging drugs and the development of novel analytical techniques for their reliable identification. Previously, Drake worked as a forensic chemist at the Drug Enforcement Administration in Dallas, TX. During her tenure at DEA, her primary professional responsibilities included controlled substance identification, quality control testing, and the analysis of evidence submitted by law enforcement officials. She also assisted with clandestine laboratory operations and testified findings of technical laboratory reports in court. She has also worked in the Department of Forensic Science at Sam Houston State University as an assistant professor. Additionally, she has worked as a K-12 public school teacher in Irving, Texas and as a National Academy of Sciences postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. She is a member of the Criminalistics Section of the American Academy of Forensic Science and the Council of Forensic Science Educators. She is also a research fellow at the TSU Center for Justice Research.
Ms. Fridah Mariki
Office Location: Public Affairs Building Deans Suite 415H
E-Mail: fridah.mariki@tsu.edu | Phone: 713.313.7818
Fridah Mariki is The College Business Administrator in the School of Public Affairs. Using her detailed-oriented character and multi-tasking abilities, Ms. Mariki continuously strives to ensure excellence in academic services. She serves in other areas within the school including grants. Ms. Mariki holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Glenda Higgins, Ph.D
Office Location: Public Affairs Building Deans Suite
E-Mail: glenda.higgins@tsu.edu | Phone: 713.313.7347
Dr. Higgins is currently employed as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Dean's Office in the Barbara Jordan -Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. She started working as a graduate assistant in the Dean's Office on January 15, 2020. As a 3-time TSU alumna, Dr. Glenda Ann Higgins holds a B.A. in General Studies (2016), an M.A. in History (2018), and a Ph.D. in Administration of Justice (2023). She is an intricate part of the Dean's Office and excellence in achievements is what drives her to be meticulous in communicating with TSU's students and partners because what matters to them is important to the Dean's Office. Dr. Higgins' previous managerial and administrative experience makes it possible for her to promote the success of the goals and objectives of the Dean's Office. She believes that accountability is based on responsibility and reliability.
Mykayla Jones, M.A.
Office Location: Public Affairs Building Dean's Suite
E-Mail: mykayla.jones@tsu.edu | Phone: 713.313.6865
Ms. Jones is currently employed as a Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean in the Barbara Jordan -Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition, a Masters in Psychology from Texas Southern University.
With over six years of experience spanning higher education, mental health, and administrative leadership, Ms. Jones brings a well-rounded and people-centered approach to academic operations. Her professional background includes behavioral health services, and administrative support roles, all of which inform her attentive and compassionate work ethic.
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