Office of the President

A lifelong educator, Dr. Daniel W. Johnson understands the importance of a quality, Christ-centered education. Prior to joining WLC, he served in a number of K-12 educational settings as an educator and administrator in schools throughout the nation including in Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, and Arizona.

Education

Dr. Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in education from Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota, and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from National-Louis University in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Accomplishments

Dr. Johnson joined Wisconsin Lutheran College in October 2008. God has richly blessed his efforts and those of WLC's leaders, faculty, and staff. During his tenure, Wisconsin Lutheran College has:

• Experienced a 60% increase in enrollment,
• Created an Adult and Graduate Studies program focusing on degree completion and master's degree offerings,
• Secured $1M gift to launch the Adult and Graduate Studies Program, 　 
• In 2011 WLC was the first institution in Wisconsin to receive approval with no improvement recommendations from the Department of Public Instruction for our Education program, 
• Built WLC Outdoor Athletic Center at our Outdoor Athletic Complex, the home to WLC football (also home football field for four local high schools), softball, baseball, track, and soccer, 
• Secured $1M gift to launch fund drive for Outdoor Athletic Center,
• Secured $5.1M naming rights for our state-of-the-art academic/science hall - now called Generac Hall, 
• Added 12 majors, 
• Implemented university model by structuring three colleges within WLC,
• Launched the Center for Christian Leadership to better serve our community,
• Broadened support for our urban initiatives: Pathways to College Program - college readiness program - and Center for Urban Teaching - helping prepare teachers to teach in the inner city, 
• Signed an enrollment agreement with Jiangxi Normal University in China,
• Secured articulation agreements with two-year centers of the University of Wisconsin system,
• Opened a state-of-the-art residence hall, Aspire, in fall 2014, 
• Secured a $500,000 gift to install new football turf - completed in summer 2015,
• Secured a $500,000 gift to build dugouts and install new scoreboards and fencing for baseball/softball fields - completed in summer 2015,
• Secured two gifts totaling $1,050,00 to install a new gym floor, bleachers, and a complete remodel of the Recreation Complex - completed in summer 2015, 
• Secured a $5.5M gift to build a new parking center on campus - will be completed in early 2016,
• Developed an institutional strategic plan, Vision 2020, to guide the academic and operational efforts of the college through the end of the decade, 
• Received ten-year accreditation of The Higher Learning Commission in 2015,
• Successfully launched the Divine Servant Award with a celebration in April 2017 featuring former President George W. Bush, and
• Secured partnership agreements in 2016-2017 with Medical College of Wisconsin (3+3 Degree Pharmacy Program), Marquette University (3+3 Law School Program), Illinois College of Optometry (3+3 Optometry Program), and UW-Milwaukee (Engineering Dual-Degree Program).

Leadership

Dr. Johnson was elected by his presidential colleagues to the Executive Committee of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) and served as president of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC).

Read the Wisconsin Lutheran College Annual Report

Johnson, D. W. (2017, August). Millennials: Their Questions - Our Opportunities. Presentation at the Fox Valley Lutheran High School Faculty and Staff In-Service Meeting. Appleton, WI.

Johnson, D.W. (2017, April). Interview: Former President George W. Bush. Divine Servant Award Celebration. Milwaukee, WI.

Johnson, D. W. (2017, March). Millennials: Their Questions - Our Opportunities. Presentation at the Association of Lutheran High Schools Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, WI.

Johnson, D. W. (2017, January). Collaboration to Reduce Costs, Increase Efficiencies, and Sharpen Identity. Presentation at the Council of Independent Colleges President's Institute. Orlando, FL. 

Johnson, D. W. (2016, October). Christ Be Our Leader. Presentation at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers' Conference. Milwaukee, WI.

Johnson, D. W. (2016, February). Sustainability of Lutheran Schools. Presentation at the Northern Wisconsin District Teachers' Conference. Brillion, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2015, January). Effective Strategies for Success with Adult Learners. Presentation at the Council of Independent Colleges President's Institute. San Diego, CA. 

Johnson, D. W. (2014, March). Engaging and Preparing Millennials for Lives of Christian Leadership. Presentation at the Northern Wisconsin District Seminars for Christian Service. Appleton, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2013, May). Servant Leadership - Be an Assist-Maker. Presentation at the WI Servant Leadership Forum. Milwaukee, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2013, January). Our Ministry - Our Calling. Presentation at the Urban Ministry Conference. Brookfield, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2012, August). Developing a Culture of Care and Concern. Presentation at Manitowoc Lutheran High School. Manitowoc, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2012, February). Excellence in Sustainability. Presentation at Morning Star Lutheran School. Jackson, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2012, February). Developing a Culture of Care and Concern. Presentation at Men of His Word Conference. Oshkosh, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2011, September). Excellence in Sustainability. Presentation at St. Croix Lutheran High School. Saint Paul, MN. 

Johnson, D. W. (2010, October). Leadership - By All and For All. Presentation to the WELS North Central High School Teachers' Conference. Watertown, SD. 

Johnson, D. W. (2010, September). Excellence in Sustainability. Presentation to the Lakeside Lutheran High School Federation. Lake Mills, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2010, August). Excellence in Sustainability. Presentation to the Fox Valley Lutheran High School Federation. Appleton, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2010, February). Excellence in Sustainability. Presentation to the Association of Lutheran High Schools. Brookfield, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2010, January). What Makes a Good Christian School. Presentation to the Lakes Lutheran Principals' Conference. Somers, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2009, November). Qualities, Declared Initiatives, and Programs That Impact the Enrollment of Christian Elementary Schools. Presentation to the AZ-CA Teachers' Conference. Phoenix, AZ. 

Johnson, D. W. (2009, October). Recruitment and Retention in Lutheran Schools. Presentation at the WALE Conference. Milwaukee, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2009, April). Amazing Grace - Amazing Place. Inaugural Address at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Wauwatosa, WI. 

Johnson, D. W. (2009, March). Christian Education: A New Perspective. Presentation to the Barnabas Group. Wauwatosa, WI.

Johnson, D. W. (2009, January). Christian Education Today. Presentation at the Kingdom Workers Retreat. Phoenix, AZ. 

Johnson, D. W. (2008, June). Cost-Based Tuition/Need-Based Aid: WELS Case Studies. Presentation at the WELS National School Leadership Conference. Brookfield, WI.

Johnson, D. W. (2008). Qualities, Declared Initiatives, and Programs That Impact the Enrollment of Christian Elementary Schools. (Doctoral Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University).

Johnson, D. W. (2000, February). Heroes of Faith - Isaiah. Paper presented at the 2000 Black Canyon Delegate Conference in Ahwatukee, AZ. 

Johnson, D. W. (1996). Thematic Teaching of High School Geography. (Master's Thesis, National Louis University). 

Dr. Daniel W. Johnson
President

Dr. John D. Kolander
Provost

Lucas Faust
Vice President of Enrollment

Richard Mannisto
Vice President of Development and Strategic Initiatives

Ryan Oertel
Vice President of Student Life

Gary Schmid
Vice President of Finance

Jennifer Garbo-Shawhan
Executive Director of Marketing and Communication