Gregg “Bagel” Johnson has been appointed dean of the University of Illinois Springfield College of Public Affairs and Education (CPAE), pending final approval by the Board of Trustees. His appointment will begin July 1, 2026.

Johnson brings extensive academic and administrative leadership experience, along with a strong commitment to public higher education and its role in advancing the public good. He comes to UIS from Valparaiso University, where he most recently served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, leading 17 departments and more than 150 faculty and staff.

“I am thrilled to join UIS as the new dean of the College of Public Affairs and Education, a college dedicated to preparing students for meaningful careers in service to their communities and our democracy,” Johnson said. “I am deeply passionate about public higher education’s mission of access and opportunity, and I am especially excited about CPAE's unique position in the state capital, where students can engage in unparalleled experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom theory with real-world practice.”

As dean at Valparaiso, Johnson oversaw academic programs across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, coordinating student recruitment, retention, curriculum planning and faculty staffing. He also led efforts to grow enrollments, streamline administrative processes, support program development and strengthen long-term operational sustainability.

Johnson previously served as chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Valparaiso. He was active in shared governance through leadership roles in the Faculty Senate and rose through the faculty ranks to full professor. Earlier in his career, he served as an assistant professor at the University at Buffalo, SUNY.

Johnson began his career as a bilingual fifth-grade teacher in Houston public schools, where he experienced firsthand the transformative power of public education. He earned a doctorate and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona and a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from the University of Michigan. His scholarly work focuses on comparative and American politics, with a focus on policy and public opinion. He has more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and grants, with dozens of conference presentations and invited talks.

The university recognizes the leadership of Miriam Wallace, who has served as interim dean of the college since July 1, 2025, and Ann Strahle, who assumed additional responsibilities as interim associate dean during the past year.