Get to know Lisa
Dr. Lisa Johnston has spent the last seventeen years working in higher education teaching and supporting students. For the past seven years she has worked as Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services at Baker University where she both teaches courses and oversees a variety of support services for students. Prior to holding this position she served in a variety of administrative, teaching, and academic support roles at several different universities. She has earned a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership from the University of Kansas. She also holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology from the University of Central Missouri and the University of Kansas.
As Assistant Dean, Lisa managed people and projects, maintained budgets for three academic units, served on a wide variety of committees, and worked with constituent groups to examine issues and find solutions to problems. She served on the faculty senate and was actively involved in the legislative process helping to set beneficial policies. As a skilled financial manager, she understands the critical nature of setting spending priorities. As an educator, she understands education from the inside and believes that education is the foundation of our nation and our future. She is a leader who possesses the skills, abilities, and professional expertise to succeed as a U.S. Senator.
Midwest roots
Lisa lives in Overland Park with her husband of eleven years, Kyle, who is the Web and Digital Creative Director for Garmin in Johnson County. Kyle is a lifelong Kansas resident who was born and raised in McPherson. Lisa has lived in the Midwest her entire life and has lived in Kansas for the last thirteen years. She grew up in small towns and rural areas in northern Missouri and southwestern Iowa where she spent time on her grandfather’s family farm. Having lived in all types of communities puts Lisa in a position to better understand the concerns of people throughout the state, which is essential for a statewide office.
Committed to serving Kansas
Lisa is passionate about improving both the future of Kansas and our country. She has been contributing to the future of both her state and the nation by supporting students as they strive to reach their educational goals and become our future societal contributors. She now hopes to use the skill and knowledge she has accumulated over the better part of two decades in higher education to serve the State of Kansas in the United States Senate.
Lisa believes that we need more tough-minded, outspoken leaders in Washington who are committed to doing what is best for their state and their nation and who do not just stick to politics as usual. Given her background in higher education and status as a Washington outsider, she hopes to have the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to Washington.