Johnson Comes to PC after Four Years at Augustana

Jeffrey A. Johnson, Ph.D., has been fascinated “with presidents, wars and random facts” since childhood. It was this fascination and infatuation that brought him to the Department of History here at Providence College.
 “I am fortunate to be here,” said Johnson. “Providence College students are conscientious and are willing to be challenged.”
He is a first-year professor of United States history, and has given the transition into academic life at the College two thumbs up.
Johnson’s own education in history started when he received his bachelor’s degree at Carroll College in Montana, followed by his master’s and doctorate at Washington State University.
“Great professors yielded great education,” said Johnson. “My goal was always to land at a small, church-related, liberal arts college… It was at Carroll that I realized I wanted to teach history for a career.”
Johnson taught for four years at Augustana College in Illinois before joining the faculty at PC.
Prior to his own college and graduate education Johnson attended many different schools. His father was in the Air Force, so he was always the “new kid” in school. Having lived in New York, Alaska, Oklahoma, and California, it has been quite difficult for Johnson to define home.
His love of history still managed to flourish despite the constant traveling.
“I have fond memories of my head buried in a book during the long road trips with my family.”
Johnson eventually spent several years on the West Coast.
“I spent my junior high and high school years in Wyoming,” Johnson said.
However, Johnson has a dream of purchasing a home in Montana with his fiancée Dena when the time is right.
For the moment, he is concentrating on his history students.
“I like to think of history as a truly universal major,” he said. “History students and majors develop and strengthen applicable skills such as thinking critically, reading analytically, and writing well.”
Johnson is particularly interested in the history of the labor force in the United States, and he has even written a book on the Socialist Party.
“The experience of these workers reflects the American experience,” Johnson said. “It is the working class, the nine-to-five work scheduled men and women, who need to be appreciated.”
Johnson has learned to appreciate this notion from his father.
“The laborers and workers in the labor force deserve more credit,” he said. “They work very hard.”
Johnson has many other passions besides history. He enjoys traveling, movies, and playing his guitar.
When asked if he could choose something else besides a career in history, he was all smiles.
“What a question,” he said. “I really couldn’t see myself doing anything but history.” He took a moment before joking, “I guess I could try my luck with a rock band.”
Johnson considers himself “a pretty devoted Radiohead fan.”
“I have been able to see them in concert a number of times,” he said.
When he is not listening to Radiohead or fulfilling his scholarly duties, Johnson likes to catch up on his favorite shows.
 “I recently bought a video iPod, and now I love watching TV shows,” he said. “I spend a lot of time on airplanes for conferences, personal travel, and courses, and it gives me time to catch up on shows like The Office and 30 Rock.”
Johnson was humble in admitting that he would not be half the man he is today without his biggest influences and supporters.
“Certainly my parents have always been the biggest and most supportive influences in my life,” he said. “Also, I had a cadre of wonderful professors that inspired me in a myriad of way—as both a teacher and a scholar.”
He is also very thankful for his friend, sidekick, and dog, Baines.
“As I type away at the computer, he has been a rather dutiful sleeper,” he joked.
A recent influence has been Johnson’s fiancée Dena, who has been more than supportive in his transition into the roles of professor, scholar, and husband.
Johnson deems relationships and “being comfortable” essential to living up to expectations, aspirations, and dreams. As a constant new kid in school, he was able to meet many influential people from all over the United States, learning through experience and practice.
“Being passionate inside and outside of the classroom is how I see myself,” he said. “Seeing my students every day willing to learn is a great feeling.”