Dr. Aisha Johnson is a graduate from Florida State’s College of Communication and Information. She was recently awarded the Freedom Scholar Award by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). According to the ASALH, the Freedom Scholar award was created “to honor early scholars of any discipline who can demonstrate that their field of study is having a direct positive impact on the life of African-Americans”.

Johnson is committed to archival research and preserving culture by encouraging minority librarians and archivists within these fields. She’s received grants for this from the Digital Library of Georgia, Duke University, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and more. Through this work, Johnson has prioritized “redefining the scholar by introducing primary source research with emphasis on synthesis and encouraging scholar-practitioners.”

Georgia Tech Library has recently welcomed Dr. Aisha Johnson as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Outreach. Library Dean Leslie Sharp speaks on their excitement for Johnson’s leadership, noting, “She brings a wealth of experience, a deep background in cutting-edge user research, and a dedication to preserving the academic and social missions of the library.”

Johnson brings much experience and recognition to this position. She’s been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Honor (2020), Sol & Beverly Hirsch Scholarship (2014-2015), Eugene Garfield Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (2014-2015), among many others. Johnson’s research and efforts towards cultural preservation and archival work will continue to inspire future professionals in this field.

For more information on Dr. Aisha Johnson and her research, click here.