Dr. Paul C. Johnson is the 17th President of the Colorado School of Mines. The university is celebrating its150^th anniversary in 2024 and it is world-renowned for producing highly sought-after scientists and engineers, innovators and innovations, technical and business leaders, and for working closely with industry and government agencies on topics that are really important to our state, our nation, and the world. Mines has also historically had unique expertise in fields relevant to earth, energy, and the environment.

Since arriving in Golden in 2015, President Johnson has led its MINES@150 strategic plan – focused on student success, creating more distinctive learning experiences, diversifying its educational offerings and delivery, expanding access to a Mines education, becoming more entrepreneurial, and growing the impact of the research and innovation that takes place at Mines.

A chemical engineer by training, Dr. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California–Davis and master’s and doctoral degrees from Princeton University. He has been recognized for excellence in teaching and innovation through numerous awards.