Meet the Vice President
Dr. Levester Johnson, better known as L.J. on Butler's campus,
became the vice president for student affairs in December
1997. A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Dr. Johnson attended
Marquette University where he earned his bachelor of arts degree in
broadcast communications in May 1984.
Following his graduation from Marquette, L.J. attended Southern
Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., and received his master of
science degree in college student personnel in May 1986. A former
collegiate athlete, he incorporated his undergraduate experiences
into his master's thesis, Group Housing of
Student-Athletes. L.J. remained at SIU until 1992 serving as a
hall director, coordinator of residence life and assistant coach
for the women's track and field team from 1990-1992.
L.J. first joined Butler University in 1992 as the assistant dean
of students for residence education. He later served as associate
dean for student affairs before being named vice president in 1997.
As the vice president for student affairs, L.J. provides leadership
and management for all aspects of student life, student services,
diversity and leadership programming.
Continuing his educational journey, L.J. received his doctor of
education degree from Indiana University in 2004. He examined the
college experiences of biracial students of African American and
European American decent in his doctoral dissertation, "Other":
Biracial Students in the College Environment. The piece
specifically addresses the important question of how biracial
college students see themselves as racial beings. Click here to read the
abstract.
L.J. has demonstrated his leadership at the University in many
ways, most notably by serving as chair of the NCAA Certification
Steering Committee, playing a leading role in the Commission on
Undergraduate Residential Living--culminating with a $50 million
building project including the Apartment Village and the Health and
Recreation Complex which opened in fall 2006--and establishing the
Campus Climate Advisory Committee in 2008. He was named a
"Top Dawg" on Butler's campus for 2005.
He has held numerous leadership positions within the professional
organizations of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
(NASPA) where he recently completed his tenure as Regional Vice
President. L.J. currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for
the Student Affairs & Higher Education (SAHE) master of science
program at Indiana State University.
L.J. is married and has three children. A dedicated family man, he
balances his professional and personal life with involvement in his
church, coaching youth sports and serving as a member of the United
Way of Central Indiana Campaign Committee. His past civic
activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the 21st
Century Charter School and the Fountain Square Charter School, as
well as the College Mentors for Kids!, Inc. Board of Directors. He
has also been recognized as a Fox 59 "Unsung Hero" and received the
Indiana Council of Black Executives Award for Service.
To say that L.J. is a familiar face on Butler's campus is an
understatement. From accepting student challenges to a game of
volleyball to treating those in line to a round of Starbucks on a
cold winter day, Dr. Johnson's commitment to Butler University
students is best expressed in his own words: "It's such a joy to
see the development that takes place, to play a part in helping a
person. I feel a sense of personal self-worth."