Faculty Directory
Johnnie L. Allen Jr., Ph.D.
His research uses visual-arts-based methods to examine the racialized and gendered experiences of Black men navigating various curricular and co-curricular contexts in higher education, addressing campus environmental complexities, patriarchy, and hegemonic masculinity. Allen has formerly engaged as a Fellow with Howard University’s Center for HBCU Research, Leadership and Policy, as a Presidential Intern with ACPA-College Student Educators International, and as a McKnight Doctoral Fellow.
He has authored and co-authored several book chapters and journal articles and has served as a co-editor of journal special issues. Allen is excited about his forthcoming co-edited book with Wiley in the Contemporary Perspectives on Leadership Learning book series; the publication is expected for early 2027. The book, titled Reimagining Masculinity for Leadership Learning: Critical Perspectives, Contexts, and Pathways for Transforming College Men, is co-edited with Cameron C. Beatty.
Johnnie has presented at national and regional conferences, sharing insights on scholarly papers and timely research projects. His research and professional development have been externally funded by the NASPA Region III Research and Assessment Grant and by Howard's Center for HBCU Research, Leadership, and Policy. To gain a holistic understanding of faculty life, Johnnie participated in NC State's Building Future Faculty (BFF) Program, where he gained valuable insights into navigating the tenure track journey and developed relationships with faculty, staff, and members of his BFF cohort.
In addition to his scholarly engagement, he has experience teaching abroad in London,
England, specifically working with undergraduate students to broaden their understanding
of leadership and change from an international perspective. Allen also serves on the
peer review board for the Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice.
His research, teaching, and service have been recognized nationally, receiving honors
from ACPA-College Student Educators International, including ACPA Pan African Network's
Outstanding Doctoral Student Award and ACPA Coalition on Men and Masculinities' Outstanding
Graduate/New Professional Award.
Allen completed his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Florida State University, where
he also received a certificate in Program Evaluation. He also holds a B.S. in Community
Health and Public Health with a minor in Gerontology, and an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education
and Student Affairs with a certificate in College Pedagogy, both from Indiana University
Bloomington.
Select Recent Publications
Wofford, A. M., & Allen Jr., J. L. (2026). "We Don't Need Everything From One Person": How Possibility Models and Anti-mentors Shape STEMM Doctoral Student Mentors' Pathways. Teachers College Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/01614681261470143
Allen Jr., J.L., Zacarias, M., & Johns, X. (2026). Empowered to Engage: Black College Men’s Leadership Experience in Campus Activities. Journal for Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship
Beatty, C.C., Allen Jr., J.L., White, L., Baptist, W., & Woodard, D. (2025). It’s
Still There, but It’s Not the Same”: Black student leadership in the wake of Anti-DEI
state policy. Education Sciences, Special Issue Navigating the Challenges, Tensions,
and Complexities of Political and Legislative Attacks in Higher Education 15 (7),
890.
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070890
Ford, J.R., Wallace, J. K., & Allen Jr., J.L. (2025). Leadership Education, Hip Hop, and the Academy: Exploring Leadership Education Through Hip Hop Culture for Black Men. New Directions for Student Leadership. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/10.1002/yd.20663
Spencer, D., Beatty, C. C., Allen Jr., J.L., & Robinson, D. (2024). Unicorn Paradox: Understanding Undergraduate Black Men’s Leader Identity, Capacity, and Efficacy. New Directions for Student Leadership. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/10.1002/yd.20610
Allen Jr., J.L. & Juarez, F. (2024). (Re) designing leadership engagement to center learners. New Directions for Student Leadership. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/10.1002/yd.20632
