Cynthia Johnson Named Psychology and Counseling Department Chair

Cynthia Johnson, new chair of Mississippi College's Psychology and Counseling Department, joins School of Education Dean Cindy Melton for a photo on the Clinton campus.

Cynthia Johnson brings extensive leadership abilities in her new assignment as chair of Mississippi College’s Department of Psychology and Counseling.

For a dozen years, Dr. Johnson served as director of the Community Services Division at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield before joining the MC faculty in 2014.

“She has a great deal of leadership experience, a wealth of assessment knowledge and a stellar reputation as a respected faculty member,” said School of Education Dean Cindy Melton.

Since arriving at the Baptist-affiliated university four years ago, Johnson served as assessment coordinator and clinical professor. “She believes in team building and has some excellent ideas for new programs,” Melton said. “She has a fantastic team of faculty to work with, and has already hit the ground running.”

Johnson’s experiences includes duties that are different than most colleagues in her profession. Cynthia and her dog, Ollie, help children as certified pet therapists. Johnson and her favorite pet regularly serve sick patients at the Blair Batson Children’s Hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

A special education graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, the MC educator earned a master’s in counselor education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Johnson received a doctorate in psychology at Texas Woman’s University in Denton.

A northwest Rankin County resident, Johnson succeeded Jan Lemon, who recently returned to full-time teaching duties at Mississippi College.

Honored to serve as the department’s new chair beginning June 1, Johnson has enjoyed the privilege of working with outstanding faculty members and students the past four years.

“I have seen their hard work and dedication first hand,” Cynthia Johnson said. “I am excited about the many opportunities that are ahead.”

At Mississippi College, Johnson taught adult psychopathology, child psychopathology as well as planning and organizing counseling. The licensed psychologist has worked as an adjunct professor at Jackson State University and the University of West Georgia. Earlier in her career, she worked as a school psychologist and special education teacher.

A member of the American Psychological Association, Johnson serves as a Red Cross disaster mental health volunteer, among a long list of duties in her community. She’s spoken at professional conferences from the USA to Canada, and written articles for leading psychology journals.

The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers classes on the Clinton campus. Classes in the doctorate of professional counseling and master’s programs are taught at MC offices in the Fondren area of Jackson.