Kyanna Johnson

Kyanna Johnson is a graduate research associate for the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE), working with the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center. She will be conducting systematic reviews, collecting qualitative data from interviews, assisting in the development of educational resource toolkits for families, and working on projects related to parents’ engagement with the education system. 

Kyanna is a PhD student in School Psychology at the Ohio State University. She received her Masters in Educational Studies (School Psychology) in 2020. She has several research interests related to understanding the social-emotional needs of Black girls and Black LGBTQ+ youth in school contexts. She has recently published two articles in school psychology journals, which discuss the linguistic demands of preschool cognitive assessments and the inclusion of Black children in behavioral interventions. Her dedication to implementing a social justice lens in academia stems from her work experience in urban preschools throughout New York City. 

Kyanna is currently Ohio State’s Student Affiliates of School Psychology Social Justice Chair, where she leads school psychology students to work towards increasing cultural competency as well as supporting marginalized students and their families outside of their program requirements. Her previous position as the co-founder and Vice President of the Black Student Union at St. John’s University has exhibited her passion for working to achieve equity in educational settings.