Catherine Johnson, M.Ed.

Catherine Johnson (she/her/hers) serves as the Data Expert Guide with FirstGen Forward. Catherine joined FirstGen Forward from Generation Hope, where she served as a Senior Higher Education Impact Manager. At Generation Hope, Catherine managed a caseload of higher education institutions, advising them on how to develop evidence-based frameworks and resources for supporting student parents with a focus on intersectionality and race equity. Prior to her work at Generation Hope, Catherine worked for many years in enrollment management and institutional effectiveness at Georgetown University and University of Maryland. Her professional experiences include advancing data literacy and implementing data-driven strategies to support diverse student populations.

Catherine is currently working toward her Ph.D. in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto with a focus on anti-oppressive gender politics and right to higher education. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Syracuse University and an M.Ed. in Counseling from Frostburg State University. She is passionate about leveraging data analytics and policy analysis to advance social justice and improve outcomes for underrepresented students in higher education. Catherine lives in Maryland with her partner, Rick, their four children, and several beloved pets.