Dr. Patricia Quinn Johnston

Professor Johnston is a Professor of Business Law and Executive Director of the Center for Leadership Excellence at A-State.   She holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University School of Law and a B.A. in Economics with related work in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University.

Professor Johnston's real-world experiences have shaped her teaching and research so that it is relevant and engaging.  She maintains her license to practice law in Arkansas and Tennessee, and she represented a wide variety of business clients in her law practice prior to her academic career.  Professor Johnston teaches a wide variety of business law, ethics, and real estate classes at A-State, and she has taught international law in a graduate program in France.  She has published articles in numerous journals, including the Business Law Review, the Journal of Accountancy, the Real Estate Law Journal, and the Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal.  

In addition to spending time with students in the classroom, Professor Johnston works with students as Executive Director of the A-State Center for Leadership Excellence (CLE).  A-State students who participate in the CLE's Step Up, Reach Back program experience meaningful mentoring relationships, gain practical experience through hands-on service projects, develop career and leadership skills, participate in conferences and retreats, and earn scholarships. A-State CLE students report increased confidence, career readiness, and connection with others.  The CLE also hosts Leadership Academies for high school students and an annual Leadership Excellence Conference for attendees of all ages, from high school through career.