Dr. Stephen P. Johnson
Dr. Stephen P. Johnson currently serves as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer and Professor of Music at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA). Before joining PBA in 2023, he spent ten years serving at Azusa Pacific University in the roles of Founding Dean of the College of the Arts, Vice Provost, and Interim Provost. Before that, he served as Dean of the historic School of Music at Southwestern Seminary.
With over 20 years in senior leadership in higher education, Dr. Johnson curates environments that inherently value all people and voices. He collaborates with faculty to enhance academic excellence in light of contemporary culture and introduces market-responsive programs to advance the university’s mission.
Throughout his tenure, he has engaged in bold innovation and deep change management across his faculty, dean, and provost roles. Stephen’s strategic approach to translating academic vision into community impact has resulted in collaboratively raising over $44 million for student scholarships, capital initiatives (including All-Steinway School designation to a Performing Arts Center), and endowments.
As a composer, his repertoire encompasses numerous solo, chamber, and large ensemble works performed in recitals, concerts, and festivals nationwide, from Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center to 20th Century Fox Studios. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition with emphasis in Analysis, History, and Orchestration from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Johnson’s interests include spending time with his family, boating, and recurve archery. He is married to Dr. Crystal Rivette Johnson, a pianist and educator. They have three children.
Provost Office
John Simons
Vice Provost of Academic Affairs |
Jay Kenton
Registrar |
|
Aliya Rajnic
Senior Administrative Assistant |
Debbie Konynenbelt
Academic Operations Manager |
Council of Deans
Kimberly Fenstermacher
Dean, School of
Nursing |
Brian Strow
Dean, Rinker School of
Business |
Jonathan Grenz
Dean, School of
Ministry |
Dana Strachan
Dean, Gregory School of
Pharmacy |
Jason Lester
Dean, College of
the Arts |
Carl Miller
Acting Dean, School of
Liberal Arts & Sciences |
Marcia Bedasse
Dean, School of Education
and Behavioral Studies |
Phil Tobin
Dean, School of Health
Professions |
Academic Directors
|
Wendy Eynon
Manager, Rinker Center for
Experiential Learning |
Bryan Biggers
Director of
PBAO |
Yolanda Hardy
Director of the Office of
Institutional Effectiveness |
Tom St Antoine
Director, Frederick M.
Supper Honors Program |
