Christine Johnson has enjoyed a highly-influential career positively impacting the Spokane area's educational landscape, where she served as chancellor of Community Colleges of Spokane, now Spokane Colleges, for 12 years before retiring in 2022.

Johnson, 71, says she's honored to be recognized as an Icon in the Spokane community, and she's grateful for a near 50-year-long career, which started with a love of books and reading and the support of an empowering teacher from the small, rural community in New Mexico, where she grew up.

"Who would have thought that I've done all the things that I've done out of Hachita, New Mexico," says Johnson of her childhood community of about 500 residents. "I can't believe all the opportunities, and it's not magic, but the transformative power of education and its impact on others."

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and received her doctorate in educational administration from the University of Colorado Boulder. Outside of checking out library books for other students during recess at her old elementary school, Johnson's first job was teaching at Thomas Jefferson High School, in Denver.

At the time, the high school was under the leadership of an influential female principal who opened Johnson's eyes to other possible career paths for women in education.

"That really left an imprint on me. ... I'd never had a woman principal," she says.

After college, Johnson pursued various roles in education, such as teaching during the desegregation of Denver Public Schools in the 1970s, advancing to high school principal, followed by a pivot to administration, then leadership, and policy development over the next 35 years in Colorado. Previous roles held by Johnson include chief academic officer for Colorado Community College System, president of Community College of Denver, and special assistant to the provost at the University of Colorado Denver.

"How wonderful that I've seen the different sectors of education, and I've loved it all. I think what I've seen is the power of education to transform, and that is what really compels me," she says.

Johnson moved to Spokane in 2010 to become chancellor of the Community Colleges of Spokane. While she was unknown to the community at the time, the community colleges' board of trustees selected Johnson to replace retired chancellor Gary Livingston based on her experience, dedication, and integrity, some former board members say.

Greg Bever, retired publisher of the Journal of Business, was serving as chairman of the board of trustees when he first met Johnson, who he says made an immediate and lasting impression.

"She came across as having a great deal of integrity and also a terrific background. She was very knowledgeable about the community college system," says Bever. "There's no doubt about her being a leader, and she made herself clear that she was a servant leader as well." 

Carol Landa-McVicker also was serving on the board of trustees for the community colleges when she met Johnson and says the institution has accomplished significant innovation under Johnson's leadership.

"She had a lot of experience and just knew what she was doing. Plus, she was totally dedicated to the mission of the community colleges," Landa-McVicker says.

Johnson concurs, and says that of all her educational experiences, her favorite sector has been the community college system, where she's spent about half of her 46-year career. 

Spokane Colleges is comprised of two accredited colleges—Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College—that provide education to a wide range of students, including traditional students, children attending the Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Programs, and teens participating in Running Start to earn college credits while still completing high school. The institution also caters to nontraditional students, some of whom are parents, immigrants, established professionals, or older adults, by offering GED prep and credentials, adult basic education, short-term job training, apprenticeships, continuing education for career growth or personal enrichment, and applied baccalaureate degree programs.

"I love the whole mission of community colleges. Everybody is welcome," says Johnson. "It opens doors of opportunity at all stages of life and that's pretty powerful."

At Spokane Colleges, Johnson says she considered herself a team leader who helped establish virtual learning opportunities, incorporated the Institute For Extended Learning into the community college system, and championed the addition of applied bachelor's degrees at the community colleges. 

Bever says, "She realized that rural and distance learning were real opportunities for the Spokane region. ... This really allowed for the community colleges to transition, particularly through the difficult environment of COVID. It was a very important transition that needed to be made, and she had the vision to do it."

She also navigated difficult budget periods and facilitated respectful communication among stakeholders, business leaders, and anyone she worked with, says Landa-McVicker, adding that Johnson excels at encouraging and supporting those around her to develop themselves for increased opportunities to advance in their careers.

Bever says he considers Johnson a true educator for consistently looking for potential in people and assisting them in developing and expanding their talents.

"We lost some really good people because she did a really good job developing them out of their current roles," says Landa-McVicker.

Johnson retired at the end of 2022 to spend time with her husband of 38 years, Carl Griffin, who retired himself and moved to Spokane when Johnson took the chancellorship. However, Griffin died in May of that year, explains Johnson.

"Before my husband passed, he wanted me to retire," she says. "I wasn't quite ready at the time ... and then the following year, I thought it's been a great and long career. He ended up dying that year, but I kept my plan. I had given notice, and it was just the right decision."

Landa-McVicker, who remains friends with Johnson, says the couple made quite the team spending time outdoors, with family, and traveling the world together.

"He was very supportive of her and whatever she needed. He always showed up," says Landa-McVicker.

In retirement, Johnson says she's happy to see Spokane Colleges continuing to excel at its mission of providing all students a transformational education that expands their opportunities in life.

Higher education is facing some different challenges compared to what Johnson experienced as chancellor of Spokane Colleges, such as significant statewide budget issues and changes and reductions in federal support. However, she says the hard work is rewarding and worth it. 

"The work calls on us. ... The work itself just gives you so much," says Johnson. "You see the best of humanity grow, and that will continue no matter what circumstances we get."

Landa-McVicker says Johnson has earned recognition for making a difference in the community college system and will be remembered for her many contributions.

Bever adds that Johnson still has a lot yet to give.

"I feel like my role is to open opportunities for others because I had so many," says Johnson, who currently serves on the boards of Eastern Washington University and Gonzaga University.

Johnson says she wouldn't change a thing about her career.

"Education is a fascinating field because it's all about human nature and human need and the potential of it all. That's what I really love, is the potential of all that learning," says Johnson. "I'm grateful for the many experiences and opportunities I've had to serve."