Classroom to the Field. Derek Johnson (Seneca, Cayuga, E. Band of Cherokee, Saginaw Chippewa Tribe)
Wed Jan 21 2026
Live by my values taught to me by my elders.
Derek Johnson (Seneca, Cayuga, Eastern Band of Cherokee, and an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan)
Derek Nyagwai Johnson (Seneca, Cayuga, Eastern Band of Cherokee, and an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan) is the Assistant Athletics Director of Football Academics at the University of Mississippi’s FedEx Student-Athlete Support Services, with over 17 years of experience in collegiate athletics. He holds a Doctor of Education in Global Sports Leadership from East Tennessee State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa where he was member of the Football Team.
Derek has a strong record of fostering academic excellence, including leading Ole Miss football to record-high team GPAs and multiple NCAA Public Recognition Awards for APR scores. His prior roles include positions at the University of New Mexico, Washington State University, Montana State University, and San Diego State University. He is active in diversity and leadership initiatives, serving on the University of Mississippi’s athletics diversity committee, participating in the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, and is a member of the Association of Title IX Administrators. Derek also contributes to the community as a board member of the Lafayette County Literacy Council and as a Mental Health First Aider. His unique perspective, shaped by his Indigenous background and leadership experiences, enhances his impact on student-athlete success and leadership development
Originally from Haslett, Michigan, he enjoys spending time with his family: Tess (wife), Alex (son), and Chloe and Harper (daughters).
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Live by my values taught to me by my elders. Derek Johnson (Seneca, Cayuga, Eastern Band of Cherokee, and an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan) Derek Nyagwai Johnson (Seneca, Cayuga, Eastern Band of Cherokee, and an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan) is the Assistant Athletics Director of Football Academics at the University of Mississippi’s FedEx Student-Athlete Support Services, with over 17 years of experience in collegiate athletics. He holds a Doctor of Education in Global Sports Leadership from East Tennessee State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa where he was member of the Football Team. Derek has a strong record of fostering academic excellence, including leading Ole Miss football to record-high team GPAs and multiple NCAA Public Recognition Awards for APR scores. His prior roles include positions at the University of New Mexico, Washington State University, Montana State University, and San Diego State University. He is active in diversity and leadership initiatives, serving on the University of Mississippi’s athletics diversity committee, participating in the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute, and is a member of the Association of Title IX Administrators. Derek also contributes to the community as a board member of the Lafayette County Literacy Council and as a Mental Health First Aider. His unique perspective, shaped by his Indigenous background and leadership experiences, enhances his impact on student-athlete success and leadership development Originally from Haslett, Michigan, he enjoys spending time with his family: Tess (wife), Alex (son), and Chloe and Harper (daughters).