Graduation Spotlight: Johnson advances mission with master’s degree in leadership and public service
Kim Chaudoin |
After more than three decades of military service, Chief Master Sergeant Michael M. Johnson is adding another distinguished title — graduate of Lipscomb University.
Johnson, who serves as the State Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Tennessee Air National Guard, will receive his Master of Arts in leadership and public service from Lipscomb this May. He is part of a specialized cohort made possible through a unique partnership between Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public Service and the Tennessee National Guard. a collaboration designed to equip guard members with the leadership tools needed for both military and public service careers.
“The folks at Lipscomb have worked hard behind the scenes to ensure this program succeeds,” said Johnson. “I would not have been able to get my master’s if it were not for the flexibility that this program had. I am extremely pleased with the education I have received.”
The program is aimed at enhancing leadership skills among full- or part-time seasoned professionals in the Tennessee Army or Air National Guard. Classes are held one evening a week at the Tennessee National Guard base in Nashville and has expanded to a second location in Knoxville. In 2021, Tennessee expanded access to state funding through the STRONG Act (Support, Training and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen Act) to cover graduate education, allowing National Guard members to leverage federal tuition assistance with Lipscomb’s tuition discount to receive an essentially cost-free master’s degree education.
A native of Parrottsville, Tennessee, Johnson enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1991 and began his career as a strategic aircraft maintenance specialist. Over the years, he has held a wide range of leadership roles from Crew Chief to Maintenance Group Superintendent, supporting operations across the globe including deployments in Turkey, France, Germany, Kyrgyzstan and Qatar. In his current position, Johnson serves as the senior enlisted leader for all members of the Tennessee Air National Guard, advising the Assistant Adjutant General and advocating for the readiness, training, and overall welfare of the enlisted force.
His decision to pursue a master’s degree was fueled by a desire to expand his understanding of public service leadership and by the unique structure of the Lipscomb program.
“I felt like the program that Lipscomb put together would allow me to finish despite the travel schedule that I have,” Johnson said. “The instructors all worked with me to ensure that nothing was missed.”
He credits the program's curriculum with deepening his understanding of how the military intersects with state government, particularly through courses on public budgeting and policy.
“Our budget class helped me realize some of the things that our state helps the Guard with, for instance, the STRONG Act,” Johnson explained.
Johnson’s academic background includes an Associate Degree in aircraft maintenance technology from the Community College of the Air Force and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Carson-Newman University. But he said his time at Lipscomb has been especially meaningful.
“I can’t say enough about the Lipscomb staff and professors and the help they have provided during my time there,” Johnson said. “Their support made it possible for me to reach this milestone.”
Learn more about the Master of Arts in leadership and public service.