Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Gerontology University of Massachusetts Boston — 2013
Master of Science (MS), Gerontology University of Massachusetts Boston — 2006
Master of Social Work (MSW), Clinical Social Work University of Southern Indiana — 1997
Bachelor of Science (BS), Psychology University of Evansville — 1995
Academic & Professional Portfolio
Associate Professor Indiana University, School of Social Work — 2019 – Present
Assistant Professor Indiana University, School of Social Work — 2013 – 2019
Publications
Refereed Journal Articles
Lee, S. H., Lyu, J., & Johnson, K. J. (2025). Healthy behaviors and self-rated health among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-national comparison between the U.S. and Korea. Asian Women, 41(3), 117–126.
Lee, S. H., Johnson, K. J., & Lyu, J. (2020). Parental education and self-rated health among older adults: Evidence from the U.S. and South Korea. Journal of Asian Sociology, 49(4), 527–546.
Lee, S. H., Johnson, K. J., & Lyu, J. (2018). Volunteering among first-generation Asian ethnic groups residing in California. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 33(4).
Johnson, K. J., & Johns, E. (2018). A new minimum benefit in Social Security to help vulnerable retirees. Public Policy and Aging Report, 28(suppl_1).
Johnson, K. J., Latham-Mintus, K., & Poey, J. L. (2018). Productive aging via volunteering: Does social cohesion influence level of engagement? Journal of Gerontological Social Work.
Hong, M., Yi, E. H., Johnson, K. J., & Adamek, M. E. (2017). Facilitators and barriers for advance care planning among ethnic minorities in the U.S.: A systematic review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.
Johnson, K. J., Hong, M., Inoue, M., & Adamek, M. E. (2016). Social work should be more proactive in addressing the need to plan for end-of-life. Health and Social Work, 41(4).
Johnson, K. J., & Lee, S. H. (2015). Factors associated with volunteering among racial and ethnic groups: Findings from the California Health Interview Survey. Research on Aging, 39(5), 575–596.
Johnson, K. J., & Mutchler, J. E. (2014). The emergence of a positive gerontology: From disengagement to social involvement. The Gerontologist, 54(1).
Books
Leland, N., Elliott, S. J., & Johnson, K. J. (2012). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for productive aging for community-dwelling older adults. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
Technical Reports
Johnson, K. J., & Johns, E. (2018). A revised minimum benefit to better meet the adequacy and equity standards in Social Security. AARP Public Policy Institute.
Johnson, K. J., & Johns, E. (2018). Executive summary: A revised minimum benefit to better meet the adequacy and equity standards in Social Security. AARP Public Policy Institute.
Johnson, K. J., & Wilson, K. (2010). Current economic status of older adults in the United States: A demographic analysis. National Council on Aging.
Johnson, K. J., & Wilson, K. (2010). A look at issues facing older adults ages 55 to 64. National Council on Aging.
Grants Received
A Revised Minimum Benefit Can Better Meet the Adequacy and Equity Standards in Social Security AARP Social Security Innovation Challenge — $30,000 — Co-Principal Investigator — 2016 – 2017
Volunteering Among Surviving Spouses: The Impact of Volunteer Activity on the Health of the Recently Widowed John A. Hartford Foundation — $70,000 — Hartford Doctoral Fellowship in Geriatric Social Work — 2009 – 2011
Outstanding Achievement Award University of Massachusetts Boston, Department of Gerontology — 2013
RAND Corporation Summer Institute Scholarship Mini-Medical School for Social Scientists and the Demography, Economics, and Epidemiology of Aging Conference — 2009
Graduate Student Paper Award Massachusetts Gerontology Association — 2007
Sigma Phi Omega Inductee National Academic Honor and Professional Society in Gerontology — 2006
Invited Talks
Johnson, K. J., & Johns, E. (2018). Revising Social Security’s minimum benefit: A strategy to improve adequacy in the OASI program. Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston.
Johns, E., & Johnson, K. J. (2017). A revised minimum benefit to better meet the adequacy and equity standards in Social Security. National Academy of Social Insurance and AARP Policy Forum.
Conference Proceedings
Johnson, K. J., & Johns, E. (2018). The effect of caring for an ill or disabled child on a parent’s retirement nest egg. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Lee, S. H., Johnson, K. J., & Lyu, J. (2018). Who’s minding the store? The older workforce in Korea and the U.S. Paper presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Annual Meeting.
Mathews, S., Johnson, K. J., & Niles-Yokum, K. (2018). Strategies and approaches for engaging diverse students with policy content. Workshop presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Annual Meeting.
Lyu, J., Lee, S. H., & Johnson, K. J. (2017). Parental education, respondents’ education, and midlife health in the U.S. and Korea. Poster presented at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress.
Hong, M., Yi, E. H., Johnson, K. J., & Adamek, M. E. (2017). Facilitators and barriers for advance care planning among ethnic minorities: A systematic review. Poster presented at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress.
Johnson, K. J., Lee, S. H., & Lyu, J. (2017). Paid and unpaid work in the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. Poster presented at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress.
Johnson, K. J., Kruger, T. M., Stoeckel, K. J., Hong, M., & Adamek, M. E. (2017). Addressing life’s end with students. Workshop presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J., & Yi, E. (2016). Through the lens of time: Childhood visual difficulties and midlife productive activities. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J., Latham, K., & Poey, J. L. (2016). The view from our windows: Perceived neighborhood quality and volunteering. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Lyu, J., Lee, S. H., & Johnson, K. J. (2016). Factors associated with volunteering among Asian ethnic subgroups. Poster presented at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education, and Social Development.
Hong, M., Yi, E. H., Johnson, K. J., & Adamek, M. E. (2016). Toward culturally competent care at the end-of-life: A systematic review. Poster presented at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Meeting.
Lee, S. H., & Johnson, K. J. (2015). Volunteer participation among Asian older adults. Poster presented at the American Society on Aging Annual Meeting.
Lee, S. H., & Johnson, K. J. (2014). Factors associated with volunteer participation among racially and ethnically diverse older adults. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J., & Kwan, N. (2013). Trajectories of functional limitations among active middle-aged persons with arthritis. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Steinman, B. A., Kwan, N., Johnson, K. J., & Chun, A. (2012). Trajectories of self-rated health among middle-aged persons with poor vision. Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J. (2010). Does volunteering help protect mental health when it really counts? Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J. (2010). Career development and disabilities. Oral presentation at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Alwin, R., Johnson, K. J., Posner, A., & Wilson, K. (2010). Holistic approach to meeting the needs of economically disadvantaged seniors. Workshop presented at the National Council on Aging/American Society on Aging Joint Conference.
Johnson, K. J., Quinlan, J., & Griffin, J. A. (2010). Teaching gerontology as a graduate student. Roundtable presented at the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J. (2010). Spousal loss, depressive symptoms, and volunteering. Poster presented at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J., Mutchler, J. E., Burr, J. A., & Johns, E. (2009). Caregiving and age: Factors shaping daily time use. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Martin, L., & Johnson, K. J. (2009). Volunteerism among custodial and non-custodial grandparents. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J., Mutchler, J. E., & Burr, J. A. (2008). Allocation of time among older adults in the U.S. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting.
Johnson, K. J., & Johns, E. (2008). Credits for care in Social Security. Paper presented at the Summit for Economic Justice for Women.
Johnson, K. J. (2008). Care credits toward Social Security for family caregivers. Program exchange at the American Society on Aging/National Council on Aging Joint Conference.
Johnson, K. J. (2007). Health behaviors and volunteering among older adults. Poster presented at the American Society on Aging/National Council on Aging Joint Conference.
Co-Principal Investigator “A revised minimum benefit can better meet the adequacy and equity standards in Social Security,” AARP Foundation — 2016 – 2017
Research Associate Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston — 2011 – 2013
Principal Investigator “Volunteering among surviving spouses: The impact of volunteer activity on the health of the recently widowed,” John A. Hartford Foundation — 2009 – 2011
Research Consultant National Council on Aging — 2009 – 2010
Research Assistant Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston — 2007 – 2008
Undergraduate Courses
Human Growth and Development in the Social Environment Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Introduction to Gerontology Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Community Behavior and Practice Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Introduction to Social Work Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Organizational Theory and Practice Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
The Counseling Needs of Older Adults Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Adult Development and Aging Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Service Needs of Older Adults Indiana University School of Social Work — 2014
Graduate Courses
Organizations, Communities, and Societies Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
MSW Field Practicum Indiana University School of Social Work — Course instruction
Graduate Teaching Assistant Positions
Multi-Method Research Design Using Qualitative Methods University of Massachusetts Boston, Department of Public Policy — 2009
Social Policy Research Practicum in Gerontology University of Massachusetts Boston, Department of Gerontology — 2009
Current National Databases in Gerontological Policy Research University of Massachusetts Boston, Department of Gerontology — 2008
Additional Teaching Experience
Principles of Sociology Ivy Tech State College — Part-Time Lecturer — 2004
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) State of Indiana — 2000 – Present
Service in the Community
Board Member Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana — 2016 – Present
Team Captain, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s Association, Richmond, Indiana — 2014 – 2017
Board Member Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Fulton County, Indiana — 2000 – 2001
Service Awards
Community Team Award and Champions Award for Fundraising Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana, Walk to End Alzheimer’s — 2017
Spirit Award Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana, Walk to End Alzheimer’s — 2014
Service to the Profession
Leadership Positions in Professional Organizations
Chair, Public Policy Committee Gerontological Society of America — 2015 – 2018
Membership Committee Representative Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work — 2014 – 2016
Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization Representative, Public Policy Committee Gerontological Society of America — 2012 – 2014
Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization Representative, Task Force on Women Gerontological Society of America — 2009 – 2011
Manuscript and Conference Submission Review
Ad Hoc Reviewer International Journal of Aging and Human Development — 2018 – Present
Peer Reviewer International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress — 2016
Peer Reviewer Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting — 2016
Ad Hoc Reviewer Journal of Gerontological Social Work — 2016 – Present
Ad Hoc Reviewer Research on Aging — 2014 – Present
Ad Hoc Reviewer The Gerontologist — 2013 – Present
Departmental and University Service
Promotion and Tenure Committee Indiana University School of Social Work — 2023 – 2025
Chair, BSW Curriculum Committee Indiana University School of Social Work — 2019 – 2020
Instructor, PhD Independent Study on Social Isolation among Older Immigrants Indiana University School of Social Work — 2019
Field Instructor for MSW Student Hand-in-Hand Adult Day Care of Richmond — 2019
Graduate Academic Council Indiana University — 2018 – 2019
BSW Curriculum Committee Indiana University School of Social Work — 2016 – Present
MSW Curriculum Committee Indiana University School of Social Work — 2014 – Present
Gerontological Society of America Professional membership
Association for Gerontological Education in Social Work Professional membership
American Society on Aging Professional membership
IU School of Social Work resources and social media channels