Dr. Paul C. Johnson is the 17th President of the Colorado School of Mines. While it is known world-wide for its unique depth of expertise in fields relevant to earth, energy and the environment, Mines produces talent, knowledge and innovations to a wide range of industries and governmental agencies including the aerospace, defense, energy, infrastructure, IT, and health industries. Mines is known for having a challenging education that emphasizes both fundamentals and hands-on experiences and Mines’ graduates are highly sought after for their work ethic, resilience, ingenuity, and ability to get things done. Mines just celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. 

Since arriving in Golden in 2015, President Johnson has led its MINES@150 strategic plan - focused on student success, aligning attributes of Mines graduates with industry needs, adding distinctive curricular and extracurricular learning experiences, diversifying its educational offerings and delivery, expanding access to a Mines education, launching facilities and programs that support innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization and growing the external impact of the research and innovation that takes place at Mines. 

A chemical engineer by training, Dr. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California–Davis and master’s and doctoral degrees from Princeton University. He has been recognized for excellence in teaching and innovation through numerous awards.