Johnson hopes to improve the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences

Prairie View A&M University welcomed Dr. Alton B. Johnson as dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, director of the cooperative agricultural research center and administrator of the cooperative extension program.
 Johnson, a native of Monrovia, Liberia, has plenty of experience in management, administration and academia. Before arriving at Prairie View, he was interim assistant dean of research in the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences at Alcorn State University.
He earned a bachelor's degree in general agriculture from the University of Liberia in Monrovia and a master's in agronomy with a concentration in soil and water management and conservation from Mississippi State University. Also, Johnson received his Ph.D. in agronomy with a concentration in soil physics from the University of Arkansas.
Johnson came to the university because of its tradition in education and rich history in the agriculture and engineering program.
"After being associate dean at Alcorn for 16 years, being the dean of agriculture was very attractive work because I am able to work with other deans to improve the agriculture department," he said.
Johnson believes that he had a wealth of information to share at the university as well as learn.
In the first days of arriving, Johnson implemented a 90 day plan. "I made it a point to listen and visit with students, faculty, and staff for the first 90 days to come up with a plan to realign our entire college so operations in all three units will be seamless," said Johnson.
Furthermore, Johnson emphasized listening to them helped clarify what needed to be changed for improvement. "Students mostly expressed concern with the academic program and being able to be hired within their college. These are some issues that were presented that what we are planning to change for the students," said Johnson.
Adding new staff to the department was a change for agriculture students following Johnson's new position. He has plans to include agricultural research scientists, extension agents, program specialists and faculty.
"There are three distinct areas in our college and the main reason for adding to the team was for the students to have more resources and role models within their future profession and produce well rounded individuals," said Johnson.
Plans are being made to advance the academic program and curriculum and prepare for the new academic building for the college.
Due to having new fiscal director, a new team has been formed to develop a strategic plan for revamping the academic program and curriculum. The main changes being discussed are adding six new degrees starting in 2014. For current and prospective students, changes to the curriculum will not apply. "Our team has been working for four months trying to come with a proposal to also have 120 credit hours for student's schedule," Johnson explained.
In addition to the academic program and curriculum being updated, agriculture students can also look forward to the new academic building which will be shared with the business department. "As of now, myself and the dean of business are having meetings with the architect regarding location and resources for students, however with the new building being underway, having the agriculture and business departments come together will reap many benefits," said Johnson.
Johnson says he hopes to have Agribusiness courses in which business instructors can teach agriculture students. A benefit of the two colleges coexisting in the same building is the university opportunity to build competition in comparison to other colleges. "We want to grow as a college and offer as many opportunities for students to know the business of agriculture," said Johnson.
"In addition to the academic building, plans are also underway to construct a comprehensive agricultural facility that will contain an equestrian center, greenhouses for ornamental and medicinal plant production and agricultural business incubators for value-added products," said Johnson.
With many plans ahead for the agriculture department, Johnson hopes to have a focus group meet twice a month for any concerns or questions regarding the department. The main focus group for the strategic planning will gather concerns from students, farmers, lab technicians, specialists, and staff to ensure involvement and engagement within the college.
Johnson is still listening to students and staff regarding their concern and assuring that even after 90 days the learning process continues. "I plan to seek staff and students as well as other colleges to improve Agriculture and Human Sciences Department," he said.