Lena Mae Johnson, B.S., M.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Lena Mae Johnson is an Educational Counselor who has built a career spanning more than two decades in higher education administration and student services. Since 2004, she has served at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she holds the role of Coordinator of Admission and Title IX Confidential Advisor. In this capacity, she guides prospective law students through every stage of the admissions journey, from initial inquiry to enrollment, while also overseeing sensitive confidential matters related to Title IX. Her responsibilities extend well beyond processing paperwork; she manages recruitment initiatives, prepares statistical reporting, coordinates accommodations for students with disabilities, and acts as a trusted liaison for students navigating difficult circumstances. Alongside this full-time position, she has spent over a decade teaching as an Adjunct Instructor at Upper Iowa University and more recently joined the faculty at Southern University and A&M College, where she brings sociology to life for her students by connecting classroom theory to real-world issues of social change and inequality. Dr. Johnson's academic path reflects a deep commitment to lifelong learning. She began with an Associate of Arts degree from Spencer College in Medical Administrative Assistant in 1980 before returning to earn a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Southern University in 2008. She went on to complete two Master of Arts degrees, one in Sociology and another in History, before ultimately earning an Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy in 2024. This progression from undergraduate studies to doctoral achievement mirrors the very philosophy she encourages in others: setting increasingly ambitious goals and pursuing them with discipline. A year ago, she expanded her impact beyond the university setting by founding O'Shay’s Educational and Consulting Service, a private practice offering educational counseling on an as-needed basis to clients seeking guidance outside the traditional academic system. Her dedication to students and colleagues alike has not gone unnoticed. Dr. Johnson was named Instructor of the Year for 2025–2026 at Upper Iowa University and received the Roger and Alice Magnum Excellence in Teaching Award, honors that reflect her reputation for professionalism and genuine care for those she serves. She was also recognized as a Top Influential Woman representing Baton Rouge in the 2026 edition of Influential Women. She maintains active involvement in professional organizations, including COMPA and ASPA, and is a proud member of the Southern University Alumni Federation Bayou Tri Parish alongside her involvement with the True Hope Church of God and Christ community. Grounded in faith and guided by a belief in treating others with respect and kindness, Dr. Johnson approaches her work with a steady resolve to leave a lasting, positive impression on every student and client she encounters.