Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Relations
Cydney Johnson serves as the Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Relations, reporting to Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie. Johnson joined Syracuse University as executive director for state and local government relations in the spring of 2018. Johnson leads the community engagement team as it continues to advance the University’s robust portfolio of community-connected programs and initiatives. In addition to overseeing all facets of the University’s community engagement efforts, Johnson will assume strategic responsibility for developing and implementing the University’s legislative and advocacy agenda, retaining her responsibility to serve as advisor to the University leadership on issues at the city, county and state level.
Johnson brings to her alma mater more than two decades of experience in government relations, higher education and nonprofit/business development. Cydney is a double alumna of Syracuse, having received her undergraduate degree and MBA from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Johnson also spent seven years as an adjunct professor in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, with responsibilities for program coordination and external business partnership support. Prior to returning to Syracuse University, Johnson served as chief of staff to the President at SUNY Morrisville, and as an associate professor of business.
Johnson has previously served as senior vice president of U.S. accounts at Blueprint LTD, a small global marketing firm; vice president of consumer marketing and sales at Oneida Limited; and director of development at the Whitman School. She is a member of the Central New York Regional Development and Planning board, a board member of the Syracuse Partnership Council with the Syracuse City School District and board member of Syracuse Stage. Previously, Johnson served as a Board member of the Central NY Community Foundation, the Women’s Fund, and as a member of the transition teams for Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Onondaga County Sheriff Eugene Conway.