Johnston has been serving in this role on an interim basis since June 2019. He joined the faculty of the College in 1996 after receiving his doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Oregon. A recipient of the Whittier College Nerhood Teaching Award in 2003, he has served in several faculty leadership positions at Whittier including chair of the Educational Policies Committee and chair of the faculty. Johnston also was highly involved in previous faculty-led curriculum reviews as a member of the faculty curriculum committees in 1997-1998 and again in 2001-2003. “I am so grateful to sal for stepping into the interim role last summer and am excited that he will continue to provide critical leadership as our vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty,” said Oubré. In his interim role, johnston has been instrumental in working with faculty and Academic Affairs leadership in providing support for an assessment and realignment of new resources for student success support, and in ensuring that the College’s financial resources are aligned to its academic mission. He has also continued to champion the faculty-led curriculum renewal.