Dr. Kenzie Johnston

My love for plant health started in the garden and grew through years of community-based education and working with Master Gardeners. What drew me to this program specifically is its applied, interdisciplinary nature and the opportunity to help working professionals thrive in plant-focused careers. I'm passionate about building bridges between research and practice, and MPHM offers a perfect platform for that. Most of all, I'm excited to walk alongside students as they grow, both professionally and personally, and support them as they take the next steps in their careers and become leaders in the field.

None, currently.

My path has been rooted in Extension and community engagement. I've served as an Extension Educator in agriculture and natural resources, and community development since 2018, leading programs in leadership, strategic planning, and home horticulture. Alongside that, I earned my PhD in Community Leadership at Ohio State, where I studied organizational culture. All of these experiences shaped my commitment to applied, accessible education and led me to this exciting next chapter in MPHM.

None currently, but I'm eager to explore international partnerships that could enrich the MPHM experience and expand our students' global perspectives.

I really enjoy the Cultivate conference hosted by AmericanHort. It brings together professionals from all areas of the green industry and offers incredible opportunities for learning, networking, and staying up to date on emerging trends. It’s a great space for bridging science, business, and innovation.

I’m excited to see the departments’ continued momentum in student-centered innovation, especially around interdisciplinary teaching, outreach, and curriculum development. I’m also thrilled to be part of the energy around engaging students across different plant science pathways. One area I’m particularly looking forward to is expanding the presence of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) within the MPHM curriculum by adding more HCS courses that complement the program’s applied focus and give students additional tools to succeed in the field.

You can usually find me in the garden, practicing yoga, walking the trails near my home, or planning my next beach getaway. I love quiet mornings with coffee, good books, and being outdoors as much as possible.