AMERICA | A determined man breaks US university’s 200-year-old record, becomes first ever black deaf to be appointed Dean.
A young man named Christopher Johnson has made history as the first Black and Deaf academic dean at the University of Cincinnati in the United States.
Christopher, from Georgia, was appointed as the Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence at the university’s College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS), making him the first individual with both identities to earn this position in the university’s 200-year history.
Despite being deaf, Christopher prioritized his education and earned multiple degrees. He is also the first Deaf person in his family to hold multiple degrees and certifications.
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His accomplishments inspire him to elevate academic achievement and create a sense of belonging for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, as well as for American Sign Language (ASL) students.
“Being culturally and linguistically deprived growing up in the South was a life-changing experience for me and my family. Being the first deaf person in my family to receive multiple degrees has pushed me to go above and beyond to raise the standard of academic excellence and sense of belonging,” Christopher said.
According to the university’s website, he will help launch an inclusive excellence strategic plan, ensuring that those who are differently abled and underserved can participate in the university’s co-op employer program.
Christopher hopes to amplify disability awareness and justice issues on campus, integrating this focus into classrooms where students can critically address societal issues centered on able-bodied individuals.
Growing up deaf in a rural area with limited resources, Christopher experienced realities that few can understand.
He aims to use his experiences to help shape the next generation of leaders and provide opportunities that foster equity and inclusion in academia and the workforce—not just for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, but also for ASL students who bridge gaps between mainstream and Deaf communities.
Christopher credits much of his success to his parents, who raised him in a supportive environment and motivated him to read extensively from a young age. Their advocacy for his rights and access to education helped him break the cycle of Black Deaf individuals being trapped in the school-to-prison pipeline.
He aspires to increase access and opportunities for Deaf people of color and is committed to shattering barriers for the disabled community.