President Kristina M. Johnson answers your questions

I really love Mirror Lake. It’s where I went on my first visit to campus as a finalist for the president’s role. I looked up at the trees and thought of my grandfather meeting my grandmother under one of those trees. I said to myself, “This is the place.” I knew I belonged here.

As for stress, I work out to deal with it. Lifting helps, and I also enjoy the elliptical and biking. I don’t run as much anymore, but I like to do that, too.

Education is vital. When I talk with students in my class, Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions, we discuss concrete solutions to climate change. When I visit The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, I witness dedicated doctors and nurses sharing knowledge with students who aspire to use evidence-based research to deliver the best care to their patients. Up north at Stone Lab, our faculty and students are finding ways to reduce algal blooms and solve water quality issues for Ohioans who get their drinking water from Lake Erie.

Our future depends on solving these and other problems, and the solutions demand the collective thinking of our best and brightest, regardless of political affiliation. So, how can we stop the politicizing of science? More science.

I get up very early — sometimes earlier than I want to. It is such a peaceful, quiet time of day. I feed the dogs, make coffee and sit down to think about the strategic things.

I want to get done during the day and the week. I always go through my daily binder in the morning or sometimes the night before. I like to work out in the morning, too, but that doesn’t always happen.

As a university community, we are committed to justice and equity. And we work toward it every day.

I am passionate about making sure our students learn with and from people who look like them. Bringing more diversity to our faculty and staff is very important to me. This fall, the first members of a new cohort of faculty will join Ohio State to teach and conduct research in the fields of health equity, resources and the environment, and the arts and creative expression — with a specific focus on race, inclusion and social equity.

Dedicated faculty, staff and administrators continue to engage in work aimed at eliminating racism and racial inequities and promoting a healthy, supportive university community. They have hosted candid conversations and sought ways to improve process, policies and practices to make sure we’re serving all Buckeyes. I am highly invested in their efforts and eager to hear and address their recommendations.

My advice is the same for all future leaders, regardless of gender: Lean in, be prepared, give people the benefit of the doubt, and don’t make assumptions.