Valentine Kevin Johns

Valentine K. Johns, PhD, MBA
Associate Director, UC Clermont Learning Commons, University of Cincinnati Clermont College

Dr. Valentine K. Johns is an organic chemist and learning center leader who focuses on innovative ways to boost academic support and student success. As Associate Director of the UC Clermont Learning Commons at the University of Cincinnati, he leads the development of AI learning tools, including Bearcat Study Pal, a Socratic AI tutor, and award-winning BearcatsGPT agents. His work on AI tutoring, peer-led Group Review Sessions, and high-dosage tutoring appears in The Learning Assistance Review. 

Before this, he earned his PhD in chemistry at the University of Central Florida, where he studied visible-light-activated photoacids, photoresponsive polymers, and light-triggered molecular release. That work led to more than 10 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry – A European Journal, and The Journal of Physical Chemistry A. He also has industry experience in product innovation, and has taught general, organic, and inorganic chemistry across several institutions.

Selected Achievements & Recognition

• Outstanding presentation award at the 9th Annual Learning and Teaching Conference for work on Enhancing Teaching and Learning with personalized BearcatGPT AI agents (2026)
• Frontier Award Winner for best multi-agent AI ecosystem for learning and teaching (2026). This work has also been feature in UC News.
• Work on AI Agents leading to UC becoming first Ohio university to offer AI platform recognized by multiple news outlets including WCPO, WLWT5, and Spectrum News One (2026)
• Featured in the The News Record, for work on AI agents for student success at the University of Cincinnati (2026)
• Quoted in the UC newsletter for the rollout of BearcatGPT to all faculty and staff and the development of AI Agents (December 2025)
• Panelist at the AI Forum – UC Clermont (November 2025)
• Featured in the UC newsletter & Ohio Tech News for work done on AI-driven Socratic Tutors for math and science (November 2025)
• Co-Recipient of a $750,000 grant for AI powered student success, workforce readiness and campus optimization (2025 – 2027)
• Featured in the provost newsletter on the positive impact of the Learning Commons on Student Retention (Mar 6th 2025)
• Featured on front page of University of Cincinnati News on AI and Emerging Technology Symposium three years in a row for presentations on innovative uses of AI in Tutoring (2024 – 2026)
• Awarded Ohio School Boards Association Honor Roll Award for outstanding contributions to the Goshen High School for High Dosage Tutoring funded by Ohio Department of Higher Education Grant (2025)
• Level 3 Learning Center Leadership Certified by International College Learning Center Association (ICLCA) (2025)
• Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award by International College Learning Center Association (2024)
• Awarded the Statewide Mathematics and Literacy Grant of $500,000 by Ohio Department of Higher Education for providing high dosage tutoring to high school students impacted by COVID-19 (2022-2023)
• Staff Excellence Award (University of Cincinnati Clermont College) Awarded to the top-performing employee in the college (2021)
• Teaching Excellence Award Nomination at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College (2019-2021)
• Promoting Student Development Outside the Classroom Award Nomination at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College (2019-2021)
• Haslam College of Business MBA Scholarship Award, Faculty chosen overall top performing student (2015)
• Haslam College of Business FedEx Leadership Service Award, Peer chosen MBA student demonstrating outstanding leadership (2015)
• Teaching Excellence Award Nomination at Eastern Kentucky University (2014)
• Digital Professor Certified at Valencia College (2012)
• Doctoral Merit Fellowship at the University of Central Florida (2007-2009)

• V. Johns, S. Kharangate, S. Gharti, A. Nallagonda, K. Singh, E. Uhl. “Enhancing Teaching and Learning with Personalized BearcatGPT AI Agents.”, 9th Annual Learning & Teaching at UC Conference., 2026.
• V. Johns, S. Kharangate, T. Scherz, S. Gharti, A. Nallagonda. “Transforming Learning and Teaching Assistance with BearcatGPT AI agents.”, AI & Emerging Technology Symposium., 2026.
• J. Radt, V. Johns. “Supporting the Whole Student: Academic and Personal Resources at UC Clermont.” Clermont Collaborative Learning Conference., 2025.
• V.Johns, T. Schertz, J. Riep. “AI Update on UC AI Agents and Architecture.” CloudForce Higher Education Customer Advisory Board., 2025.
• V.Johns. “An AI Socratic Learning Assistant.” UC Clermont Faculty and Staff Scholar’s Panel., 2025.
• V. Johns, D. Winget, Bethany. B. “Boosting Retention and Building Connections in STEM: Group Review Sessions.”, 8th Annual Learning & Teaching at UC Conference., 2025.
• V. Johns, B. Brown, C. Riley, D. Peteroy. “Burning the Midnight Oil: Using AI To Create Asynchronous Tutoring Solutions.”, Digital Technology Solutions AI & Emerging Technology Symposium., 2025.
• V. Johns. “Group Review Sessions – Improving Student Outcomes with Online Synchronous Study Groups.”, International College Learning Center Association 39th Annual Conference., 2024.
• S. Riley, J. Eagen, V. Johns, D. Peteroy, B. Brown. C. Riley. “Everywhere Learning: Expanding Learning Commons Services to Meet Diverse Student Needs.”, International College Learning Center Association 39th Annual Conference., 2024.
• V. Johns, C. Cain. “Crafting an AI-Powered Tutor for Asynchronous Tutoring Support.”, Digital Technology Solutions AI Symposium., 2024.
• K. Hall, S. Chundur, V. Johns. “Group Review Sessions: Online Tutoring for Success in Programming Courses.”, Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges - 2023 Midwest Conference., 2023.
• S. Riley, K. Hulgin, V. Johns, D. Peteroy, C. Heybruch, P. Dubbs, A. Faulhaber. ODHE Statewide Action Forum., 2023. 
• P. K. Patel, V. K. Johns, D. M. Mills, J. E. Boone, P. Carvo-Marzal, K. Y. Chumbimuni-Torres. “Tuning the Equilibrium Response Time of Meta-Stable Photoacids in Ion-Sensors by Appropriate Functionalization.” Mátraf red, Hungary., 2014.
• Z. Shi, P. Peng, V. K. Johns, Y. Liao. “Novel Photo-Switchable Conducting Materials Based on a Reversible Photoacid and Polyaniline.”244th ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA., 2012.
• V. K. Johns, Y. Liao. “Synthesis and Characterization of Visible Light Responsive Polymers”. 244th ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA., 2012.
• V. K. Johns, Z. Shi, W. Hu, J. B. Johns, S. Zou, Y. Liao. “Photo- and Thermal-Induced Isomerization of Diels-Alder Adducts of Pentacene and TCNE.” UCF 9th Graduate Research Forum, Orlando, Fl, 2012.
• V. K. Johns, Z. Shi, Y. Liao. “Structure-Reactivity Relationship of Photo-retro-Diels Alder Reactions.” 241st ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA., 2011.
• Z. Shi, V. K. Johns, C. Alber, Y. Liao. “Photoinduced Protonation of Polyaniline Assisted by Hydrogen-Bonding Materials.” 241st ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA., 2011.

• S. S. Kharangate, V. K. Johns, A. Nallagonda, S. Gharti, T. Scherz, J. Riep, “Bearcat Study Pal: A Homegrown Socratic AI Tutor for Learning, Not Answers.” Beyond the Blackboard: AI's Role in the Evolution of Learning Centers, The Learning Assistance Review. 2026, (Summer Special Edition) 89-102.
• S. Ferguson, V. K. Johns, “Voices of the Classroom: Exploring Student Perspectives on Math Tutoring.” The Learning Assistance Review. 2026, 30, (4), 107-132.
• V. K. Johns, “AI-Powered Learning Support: Lessons from a Pilot at the University of Cincinnati Clermont Regional Campus Clermont.” Journal for Research and Practice in College Teaching. 2025, 10, (2).
• V. K. Johns, B. Brown, C. Cain, “Creating an On-demand AI Tutor on a Budget.” From HAL to Help: AI’s Role in Learning Assistance, The Learning Assistance Review. 2025, (Summer Special Edition)140-151.
• P. K. Patel, V. K. Johns, D. M. Mills, J. E. Boone, P. Carvo-Marzal, K. Y. Chumbimuni-Torres. “Tuning the Equilibrium Response Time of Meta-Stable Photoacids in Ion-Sensors by Appropriate Functionalization.” Electroanalysis. 2015, 27 (3), 677 – 683.
• Z. Wang, V. K. Johns, Y. Liao. “Controlled Release of Fragrant Molecules with Visible Light.” Chem. Eur. J. 2014, 20 (45), 14637-14640.
• V. K. Johns, P. K. Patel, S. Hassett, P. Carvo-Marzal, Y. Qin, K. Y. Chumbimuni-Torres. “Visible Light Activated Ion Sensing Using a Photoacid Polymer for Calcium Detection.” Anal. Chem., 2014, 86 (13), 6184 – 6187.
• V. K. Johns, P. Peng, J. DeJesus, Z. Wang, Y. Liao.  “Visible-light Activated Reversible Photoacid based on a Metastable Carbanion.” Chem. Eur. J., 2014, 20, 689-692.
• V. K. Johns, Z. Wang, X. Li, Y. Liao. “Physicochemical Study of a Metastable-State Photoacid.” J. Phys. Chem. A., 2013, 117, 13101-13104.
• Cover Article: P. Peng, C. Wang, Z. Shi, V. K. Johns, L. Ma, J. Oyer, A. Copik, R. Igarashi, Y. Liao. “Visible-light activatable organic CO-releasing molecules (PhotoCORMs) that simultaneously generate fluorophores.” Org. Biomol. Chem., 2013, 11, 6671-6674.
• C. Alber, Z. Shi, V. K. Johns, S. Lefave, Y. Liao. “Photo-induced Protonation and Conductivity of Polyaniline/Poly (ethylene glycol) and Polyaniline/[Poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted Polyaniline] Composites.” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013, 129, 3546-3550.
• M. Shahzad, G. Medhi, D. Maukonen, M. Yesiltas, R. E. Peale, W. R. Buchwald, J. Cleary, Y. Liao, C. Alber, V. K. Johns, R. Hegishte, G. D. Boreman. “Infrared Surface Plasmon Polariton on Polyaniline-Graphite Composite.” Proc. SPIE, 2012, 8366, 836604/1-836604/6.
• V. K. Johns, Z. Shi, W. Hu, J. B. Johns, S. Zou, Y. Liao. “Photo- and Thermal-Induced Isomerization of Diels-Alder Adducts of Pentacene and TCNE.”Eur. J. Org. Chem., 2012, 14, 2707-2710.
• V. K. Johns, Z. Shi, W. Dang, M. D. McInnis, Y. Weng, Y. Liao. “Photo retro-Diels Alder Reactions.” J. Phys. Chem. A., 2011, 115, 8093-8099.
• Z. Shi, V. K. Johns, C. Alber, Y. Liao. “Photoinduced Protonation of Polyaniline Assisted by Hydrogen-Bonding Materials”. Synth. Met., 2011, 161, 1420-1423.