Johnson was awarded the 2019 John P, McGovern Science, and Society Award. by Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. In 2016 she earned the AGU Ambassador Award for her extraordinary achievements in her discipline. In January 2010 she received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) at the White House in recognition of her professional development and diversity-related activities. On February 1, 2010, she was recognized by The Grio as one of 100 History Makers in The Making. She was profiled in the Black Enterprise Magazine March 2011 Issue's "Women In STEM" feature story.