Hello, my name is Jennifer Johnston and I am currently a career and academic advisor at SPC Seminole campus. I work with the following communities: Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences and Veterinary Technology. 

I thought it would be an important piece to share my “success story,” most importantly, one that started here at St. Petersburg College. In fall 2011, I began my degree as an early admissions student. I graduated from Seminole High School in 2012 while I simultaneously completed my first year of college. As a Presidential scholar, I finished my Associates degree on the Seminole campus at no cost to me. Thereafter, I transferred to the University of South Florida and graduated in 2016 with a B.S. degree in Secondary Social Science Education. Working with students, I soon came to realize that I enjoyed helping my students navigate through decision making more than I liked teaching them civics and economics, so I continued my education at the University of Florida. Flashing forward to May 2019, I received a Master’s degree in Education as well as an Education Specialist degree in Mental Health and School Counseling. In addition to my counseling program’s coursework, I was able to teach human growth and development to undergraduate students, enriching my life as well as the 250 students I taught from 2017 to 2019. I am currently a fourth year Ph.D. candidate at USF majoring in Higher Education Administration.

So I bet you’re wondering, why did I keep going? How did I figure out what I wanted to do? Quite frankly, there were nights studying, working, and lesson planning when I wondered myself. But I promise you, every single sleepless night was worth it. At SPC, I had faculty and advisors that believed in me and inspired me daily to channel my strengths, and more importantly, to persevere. I not only get to do what I love, I get to learn along with a staff and students who have the same drive and passion as me.

As I look back on where my journey began, I am astonished at how far I have come, and all of the people who had faith in me to live out my goals and dreams.

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”   - Robert Frost (1916)