Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Jennifer Barger Johnson

Jennifer Barger Johnson is a distinguished legal scholar and educator who has dedicated over 24 years to advancing higher education and public service in Oklahoma. She currently serves as professor of business law at the University of Central Oklahoma, where she integrates legal education with business, ethics, and societal impact.

She holds a juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law and has shaped generations of students through rigorous teaching, ethical leadership, and student-centered learning. Her service record includes the longest-serving female president of the UCO Faculty Senate (four terms), chair of the Promotion and Tenure Revision Task Force, director of UCO’s Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Societal Impact, subgroup A chair of Strategic Initiatives 2020, Qualifications Committee member, Faculty Development Committee Chair, Copyright Compliance Officer, and numerous other roles. She has led efforts in accreditation, assessment, and faculty development aligned with the Higher Learning Commission and AACSB standards.

Beyond academia, Barger has served for 25 years as a municipal judge and as a Cherokee Nation Gaming Commissioner, reflecting her dedication to justice and tribal sovereignty. In 2018, she also served as a Cherokee Nation Mentor Cyclist on the annual “Remember the Removal Ride,” which partners cyclists from the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to retrace the Trail of Tears across seven states.