LeAnne Johnson named new chair of Ed Psych

Professor LeAnne Johnson has been named chair of the Department of Educational Psychology. As chair, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the department, including facilitation of strategic action plans that strengthen the individual and collective impact of the department’s core mission: to advance scientific knowledge of cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that underlie education and human development across the lifespan through leadership and consultation to the state, the nation, and the international community.

Johnson has been at UMN for more than 26 years, serving most recently as the associate department chair, professor, and co-coordinator for the special education program. Her interests focus on innovative approaches to transforming educational systems serving young children with an array of developmental delays or disabilities by applying implementation science. 

She holds a PhD in educational psychology–special education from UMN, an MEd in special education from Vanderbilt University, and a BA in special education from Michigan State University. At her core, she is a special education teacher who seeks to bring about equitable, inclusive, and diverse learning spaces where everyone belongs and is empowered to achieve their goals. Johnson is replacing Anne Foegen, who has served as department chair since 2023.

“I appreciate the trust my colleagues are placing in me as we come together to grow through our present day circumstances and enact a shared vision for a thriving community of students, staff, and faculty,” Johnson says.