About Us
Honors Faculty Saundra Johnson Austin
STEM Education | Research and Innovation| Community and Workforce Development
Dr. Saundra Johnson Austin is a transformative thought leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development. She is recognized for developing impactful programs and strategic partnerships that expand experiential learning opportunities, strengthen student success, and advance academic and professional achievement.
Her professional experience spans secondary and post-secondary education, nonprofit organizations, industry, engineering public policy, and community development, where she has served in executive and strategic leadership roles. Throughout her career, Dr. Johnson Austin has led innovative initiatives that foster collaboration, research engagement, and institutional growth across educational and community sectors.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, an MBA from University of Notre Dame, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.
Research, Teaching, and Advancement
In 2024 she became the director of Student Engagement for Research and Innovation (SERI) in the Office of USF Research, where she leads university-wide undergraduate research initiatives, promotes faculty collaboration, and oversees programs designed to enhance experiential learning and student achievement.
Since spring 2026, Dr. Johnson Austin serves as a Research Affiliate Faculty member at the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Her research focuses on the implementation of STEM curriculum in K–12 schools and the advancement of innovative agricultural solutions within farming communities. She has published scholarly papers, presented at professional conferences, and led proposal development in these areas.
She teaches a section of the IDS 4914 Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience for the OneUSF Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
Dr. Johnson launched the Sustain-a-Bull Undergraduate Research Priority Menu to strengthen and expand undergraduate research opportunities across the University of South Florida. An endowment to support the initiative will be created, and the inaugural naming donor will be recognized at the OneUSF Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium on July 23 in the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Honors and Recognition
Her professional achievements have earned her peer recognition and numerous honors, most notably:
- Virtual Visiting Scholar, Women in Engineering ProActive Network ACCESS+ (2024-25)
- Outstanding Civil Engineering Alumnus Award, The Pennsylvania State University Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (2015)
- Strengthening Our Communities Inaugural Community Educational Leadership Award at the 2nd Annual Celebrate Literacy Conference (2007)
- American Association of University Women Selected Professions Fellowship (2004-05)
Through her leadership in research, education, and community engagement, Dr. Saundra Johnson Austin continues to advance innovative initiatives that expand student opportunities, strengthen research engagement, and support the mission of the University of South Florida.
Contact Saundra Johnson Austin