Michelle Johnston

Michelle R. Johnston is an American academic administrator serving as the president of Georgia Southwestern State University since 2024. She was president of College of Coastal Georgia from 2018 to 2024.

Life Johnston earned a bachelor's degree in piano performance from the University of Alabama. She completed a master's degree in piano performance at the Louisiana State University.

Johnston worked at the University of Montevallo, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Mississippi State University. In July 2018 she became president of the College of Coastal Georgia. She was succeeded by interim president Johnny L. Evans. On June 1, 2024, Johnston became president of Georgia Southwestern State University. She succeeded interim president Teresa MacCartney.

Johnston has been selected as the next president of the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama after being approved by the UM Board of Trustees during a specially called meeting on May 22, 2026. Johnston will be the first female president in the institution's history.