Angelica Johnson named Coordinator of Like Me Program at Lourdes University

Lourdes University President Mary Ann Gawelek, Ed.D., is pleased to announce the appointment of Angelica Johnson, M.A. as Coordinator of the Teachers of Color Program, Like Me. Having worked in education for over 10 years, she brings a wealth of educational and leadership experience to this position. As coordinator of Like Me, a program developed by the Lourdes University Division of Education, Ms. Johnson will work to decrease the disparity in teachers of color across our region and the country.

Like Me: Diversifying the Educator Workforce
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education reported that less than 20% of the U.S. K-12 teaching workforce are teachers of color, in comparison to 50% of the student population. In Ohio, just 5% of the K-12 teaching workforce, are teachers of color. In summer 2021, Lourdes University established Like Me: Diversifying the Educator Workforce.

The mission of this program is to attract, prepare and mentor students of color to obtain employment in partner schools in order to address the large disparity between students of color and teachers of color. To date, the University has established partnerships with Springfield Local, Sylvania, Toledo Public and Washington Local Schools.

Foundation and Corporate Partners include:

Greater Toledo Community Foundation, Inc.
Sisters of St. Francis (Sylvania) Foundation Donor Advised Fund
Ohio Deans Compact on Exceptional Children
Dr. Gene & Dr. Janet Robinson
O-I Charities Foundation
Waite-Brand Foundation
Signature Bank, N.A.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C Savage Fund
The Patricia Flaherty (McNerney) Seifried Fund

Angelica Johnson, M.A.
Angelica Johnson serves as the Coordinator for the Lourdes University Like Me Program. Born and raised in Toledo, Ms. Johnson previously worked as the Interim Program Manager for Racial Equity and Diversity Training at The University of Toledo.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Life Science from Bowling Green State University and a Master’s of Arts in Counselor Education from the University of Toledo (UT). Currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Foundations of Education at UT, Ms. Johnson has presented scholarly work at the M.O.R.E. Institute and was nominated for the 20 under 40 Toledo Awards (2021).

A respected leader, Ms. Johnson has served as the Program Director of UT’s Multicultural Emerging Scholars Program and Living Learning Community and participated in the 2021-22 United Way Leadership Toledo Program. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter, and has served as a General Member with the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

This project was funded in part by a grant from Greater Toledo Community Foundation.

Lourdes University

Rooted in the Catholic and Franciscan tradition, Lourdes University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, and offers baccalaureate degrees in a variety of academic majors as well as graduate degrees in business, education, nursing, and organizational leadership. The University also offers a master’s degree in social work from Saint Louis University. Community outreach programs include the Appold Planetarium and Lifelong Learning. A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Lourdes students can also compete in a variety of men’s and women’s sports. Named a “Best in the Midwest” college by the Princeton Review, Lourdes University is a nationally accredited, veteran and transfer-friendly institution offering a variety of student scholarships. Explore the possibilities online at www.lourdes.edu or by phone at 419-885-3211.