By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Leading with humanization, Dr. Tanya Johnson has over 25 years of experience in higher education and is making waves with her research on people-centered practices in higher learning.
“My work that I’m contributing to the higher education industry is a framework around how we can enhance services specifically to students that are more inclusive, more innovative, more compassionate and empathetic,” said Johnson, 46.
Johnson recently received her doctorate in higher education from Morgan State University in Dec. 2024. She also has a master of science in educational technology from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education and a bachelor of science in management from the University of Maryland Global Campus
Outside of her work in research, Johnson is the founder and owner of Aspire Pinnacle, a leadership coaching firm that empowers people and organizations through human-centered strategies for career growth. She has been a public speaker and skills training facilitator for 12 years.
Johnson has delivered speeches at numerous institutions and events, which include Bowie State University, the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation and the Qualtrics Experience Summit. Through Aspire Pinnacle she hosts a variety of workshops on psychological safety in the workplace, developing the skills of reflective disposition and self-awareness and the human experience.
Johnson emphasized that though her work is centered on student support services, it’s truly human-centered.
She said employing humanization practices can help people understand the impact that people have on each other in their interactions, whether through conversation or a provided service. Johnson specifically looks at how services can be enhanced to be more empathetic, not just professor to student, colleague to colleague or person to person.
“I believe the work I’m doing around humanization practices is something that can be highlighted and encouraged across the industry, not just higher education, but industries nationwide,” she said.
Johnson touted that her humanization framework could be especially important in today’s current political climate in the U.S.
“I think the humanization framework I’ve built is prime,” she said. “People are going to want to be heard. People are going to want to be understood. They will want to be fulfilled, more included and more accepted in their individuality.”