Steve Johnston, director of the Community Alliance of St. Joseph, has been named director of external relations at Missouri Western State University. Johnston will begin his duties at Missouri Western Jan. 1.
“Steve has been a great advocate for Missouri Western in his current position, and already has strong relationships with many of our external partners, including legislators and local government leaders,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “He will truly be able to hit the ground running.”
“I have long considered Missouri Western as one of this community’s biggest assets, and I’m honored by this opportunity,” Johnston said. “I look forward to working with Dr. Vartabedian and his team to build on the strong relationships Missouri Western has with its community partners.”
Johnston has served as director of the Community Alliance since 2009. He is chair of the Heartland Foundation Board and a member of the United Way of Greater St. Joseph and Missouri Western State University Foundation Boards. He has served as Buchanan County Chair of Great Northwest Day at the Capitol, has worked on two bond initiatives for the St. Joseph School Board, and is a former board member and past president of InterServ, Rotary Club and United Cerebral Palsy.
Prior to joining the Community Alliance, Johnston worked at Wire Rope Corporation of America, Inc., for more than 20 years.
Johnston received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University.
As director of external relations, Johnston will serve on the President’s Cabinet and is responsible for building and sustaining strong and positive relationships with government officials, policy makers and University advocates.
Johnston replaces Brandt Shields, who left in August to accept a position with Senator Roy Blunt’s Kansas City office.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.