Torry A. Johnson

Torry A. Johnson serves as the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Engagement Program in the Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). In this position, he provides strategic direction and executive oversight of NASA’s STEM Engagement Program and its programmatic portfolio of efforts devoted to creating unique learning opportunities for students and supporting educators and educational institutions. NASA’s STEM engagement investments are aimed at building a diverse future STEM workforce – the next generation of explorers. Torry serves on the executive leadership team responsible for 150+ people across NASA and manages a $144 million portfolio of investments.

Experience

Torry previously served as the Manager for the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) within NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. There he engaged underrepresented, underserved communities in STEM opportunities via funded research opportunities, conferences, competitions, and workshops around the country. Torry’s leadership in MUREP focused on developing strategic partnerships that led to research growth and institutional capacity building and competitiveness, and overall student success at Minority Serving Institutions.

Prior to joining OSTEM in 2019, Torry worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for over 15 years as an Assistant Deputy Director within the Earth Science Division. His purview extended to multiple, research-based agreements and contracts, office space  and technical facilities, STEM engagement and public outreach, and broad information technology efforts. Torry was appointed and served as an organizational Ombudsman to aide colleagues with conflict resolution, mediation and problem solving.

Before joining the federal government, Torry worked for companies like Allstate, USA Today and the TriZetto Group.

Education

Torry received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and his master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Personal

Outside of the office, Torry is a board member for a non-profit focused on developing low-income housing for seniors and supports multiple community-based organizations with academic consulting and leadership development. Torry and his wife live in the Washington, DC, area and they are the proud parents of three adult children.