Amber Johnson: the First African American Woman to Receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science From Purdue University

Amber Johnson: the First African American Woman to Receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science From Purdue University

Amber Johnson Purdue University.png

Amber Johnson made history this July when she became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University. "You don't find many Black women in this academic space," Johnson said.

Childhood

Johnson had the rare privilege of developing a passion for technology quite early. At four years old, she received her first computer and immediately started learning to code in Microsoft’s Disk Operating System with the help of a computer instructor her mother hired. In an interview with Purdue’s College of Science Student Success Scene, Johnson said, "My mama did not know how to work [the computer], so she called this computer guy over to teach her how to use it, and I was in the room. I learned. I pretty much taught my mama how to use a computer."

Her mother’s singular act of parental support marked the beginning of Johnson’s journey in the world of technology. Her passion for technology extended beyond coding and computers. She began to fix VCRs and even her Nintendo 64 after it malfunctioned, and she learned how to program her calculators. "I've always been really into gadgets, figuring things out, [and] taking things apart. It was self-taught,” she explained to the Purdue publication The Exponent.

Studying Computer Science in College

Johnson continued her studies in computer science at Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. She then obtained a Master's in Computer Science from Jackson State University in her home state of Mississippi.

Life at Purdue University

Both of Johnson’s previous colleges are historically Black. Thus, the transition to Purdue created a new challenge. This was a new world for her, and she had to learn to navigate it quickly. She had not experienced the Purdue culture at any previous institution or in Jackson, Mississippi, her hometown. "Coming to Purdue, I had to learn to understand the community around me," she said to The Exponent. The space that she was in “was not intentionally created for [Black students] but extended to them. It needs to be filled with mentors and peers," she asserted.

Thanks to her experience and with the help of friends and mentors such as Dr. Raquel Hill, Johnson was able to adapt to Purdue. Dr. Hill is another history maker; in 2002, she became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Harvard University. Johnson said that there were many "times when I thought that I couldn't get through, [when] I didn't know what was going on [or] what I was doing.” At those times, “God stepped in," said Johnson. "So many people came to my rescue or came to mentor me."

Johnson will not forget the efforts of Dr. Hill, who also provided support throughout Johnson’s dissertation program. Dr. Hill expressed her respect and affection by helping Johnson during the latter’s doctoral graduation ceremony.

Johnson’s journey has been marked by determination and success. Even when she discovered that she was on track to becoming the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue, she remained focused. "It actually didn't cross my mind until people found out about it, and then people would bring it up all the time," said Johnson. Since then, however, Johnson has expressed the excitement and joy that her achievement brings: "I love the title because now... little brown girls [and] boys... will know that computer science is possible for them—for anybody."

Service to the Community

Johnson is not focused on self-service alone, of course. She has dedicated significant time to empowering the next generation of tech leaders. She served as a volunteer instructor at Black Girls Rock and Girls Who Code. She has also been an active member of the Black Graduate Students Organization, whose mission is to provide support for African American graduate students. According to a 2019 graduate enrollment survey, only 5.3% of graduate students at Purdue were African American, so this help is needed.

Life After Purdue

The new Dr. Johnson prepared excitedly for life after Purdue University. To begin, she joined the Future Technical Leaders program at Northrop Grumman, one of the leading defense and aerospace technology companies in the United States.

Dr. Hill feels strongly about Johnson’s success. She says, "It's not just for us; it is for others." This accomplishment helps other African-Americans "to actually see us and understand what they are able... to accomplish." Dr. Hill continues to provide mentorship to young students of color as the Chair of Computer and Information Sciences at Spelman College.

In addition to working as a software engineer for Northrop Grumman, Johnson has moved on to conquer other tasks. She is now a business owner of Kidulting, a business that produces inspirational apparel for “the kid in you.” Her story will surely continue to serve as an inspiration to many young African America children.

About the Author

Vwede O.


Vwede is a passionate and seasoned writer. He writes about people, places, and on issues of interest.

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