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St. Thomas University Names Michelle Johnson-Garcia, Ed.D. as Dean of the Gus Machado College of Business

Media Contact:
Contact: Donna Schultz
St. Thomas University Media Relations
305.474.6588
dschultz@stu.edu

MIAMI GARDENS, FL (August 19, 2021) – St. Thomas University (STU) has announced Michelle Johnson-Garcia, Ed.D. as Dean of St. Thomas University’s Gus Machado College of Business and Associate Vice Provost of the university. Dr. Johnson-Garcia will be responsible for the appointment of faculty and staff, growth of world-class academic programs, business student recruitment and retention, and the development and implementation of STU’s mission to transform students into ethical leaders who go on to impact our community, and our world.

Dr. Johnson-Garcia came to STU from Johnson & Wales University (Miami campus), where she recently held the position of Dean of Academic Affairs, in which she distinguished herself as a skillful leader of not only campus-wide academic matters, but fiscal concerns, as well as innovative learning environments and policy development.

“Dr. Johnson-Garcia’s installation as Dean of the College of Business and Associate Vice Provost is another step in the continued growth of our university,” stated Dr. Jeremy Moreland, Provost of STU. “Shepherded by Michelle’s leadership, our College of Business, housed within the award-winning Gus Machado building complex, is now primed to become the leading business college in South Florida.”

After serving as Vice President of International Accounts at Plus Distributors, Inc., Dr. Johnson-Garcia began teaching at Johnson and Wales in 2001. Her talent and tenacity were rewarded by her appointment as Chair of Johnson & Wales University’s College of Arts & Sciences in 2005. Her success at the helm of Arts & Sciences made her Johnson & Wales’ definitive choice to become Chair of their then nascent College of Business in 2009. In 2011, Michelle began her tenure as Dean of Academic Affairs, developing accountability strategies to manage a $35 million budget and overseeing 68 faculty members. In 2018, Ms. Johnson-Garcia was recognized as a one of South Florida’s Top Black Educators. The same year, she received the Ladies of Valor Empowerment Award.

St. Thomas University’s Gus Machado College of Business serves as one of South Florida’s entrepreneurial hubs.

“As we close in on three consecutive years of record enrollment at STU, Michelle Johnson-Garcia’s appointment as Dean of the College of Business and Associate Vice Provost continues to elevate our university,” said David A. Armstrong, J.D., President of St. Thomas University.

“Michelle is a three-time graduate of St. Thomas University, and we are excited and happy she has decided to give back to STU, and bring her extensive experience and skills to the Gus Machado College of Business,” President Armstrong added.

About St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University (STU) is a private, non-profit Catholic institution committed to the academic and professional success of its students who become ethical leaders in our global community. Rich with cultural and international diversity, STU is the only Catholic archdiocesan-sponsored university in Florida. On our beautiful campus and online, the university’s College of ScienceCollege of LawCollege of Business and Biscayne College offer 61 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs.

In 2020, STU launched our Limitless five-year strategic plan, based on the pillars of limitless Devotion, limitless Opportunities, and limitless Results. The plan was conceived to provide students with a magical collegiate experience which incorporates mentoring faculty, character formation activities outside the classroom, and required real-world experience before graduation.

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