SueAnn Johnson is an equity investigator in the Office of Institutional Equity, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Iowa. The Equity Investigations Unit serves members of the University of Iowa community who believe they may have been subjected to prohibited harassment, discrimination, unfair or inequitable treatment and conducts neutral investigations into alleged policy violations.

Previously, she served as a civil rights specialist at the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, where she conducted thorough and efficient investigations into complaints alleging discrimination and mediated cases involving an array of issues in the areas of education, employment, credit, housing, public accommodation, and retaliation. She also served as the Commission’s legislative liaison, outreach committee chairperson, and team lead for the non-housing department.

SueAnn holds a juris doctorate from Fordham Law School in New York City. As a law student, she participated in the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice Ghana Summer Law Program and the Urban Policy and Legislative Advocacy Clinic. She also volunteered with the Domestic Violence Courtroom Advocates Project and WomensLaw.org, and was active in Fordham Law Women. She is a recipient of the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award, Magna Cum Laude.

SueAnn also holds a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Leeds in England, where she explored her interest in social justice, alternative forms of justice, conflict resolution, and peacemaking processes around the world. Combining her passions for adventure and qualitative research, she travelled to Sierra Leone to conduct interviews and gather data for her dissertation on how religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims led to collaboration that resulted in the signing of a peace accord, end to hostilities, and establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission following a devastating civil war.

SueAnn is a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa. She started as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa, where she played violin in the Symphony Orchestra and joined the novice women's rowing team. She later transferred and earned a bachelor's degree in intercultural studies from Prairie College. After many years living abroad and on both coasts, she is currently living in Des Moines, Iowa. She is an experienced mediator and currently serves on the board of the Inns of Mediation. Her hobbies include discovering new vegan food options, yoga, live music, farmers markets, and travel.