Susan Johnson believed in the next chapter — and she wrote it herself.
A devoted mother of four and aspiring public health professional, Johnson graduated summa cum laude as the valedictorian of Goodwin University’s class of 2025 — a symphonic milestone in a journey composed of resilience, purpose, and uncompromising resolve.
Now, as the next movement begins, she’s turning purpose into action by elevating voices, breaking barriers, and advocating for change where it matters most.
Planted seeds and unshakable dreams
Susan’s story begins in Jamaica, where she was born one of the youngest in a large family. Though financial constraints made higher education out of reach, her parents instilled in her a deep and lasting reverence for learning. “I always believed in education,” she reflects. “Even when it wasn’t accessible, my parents made sure I understood why it’s so important.”
In 2003, driven by the promise of opportunity and upward mobility, Susan immigrated to the United States with her daughters. She found work as a nanny — a role that, while not her dream, provided the stability and flexibility she needed to care for her children and support their growing needs. Still, her opportunities remained limited. “I had never graduated from high school, so I didn’t meet the requirements for jobs that would offer me higher pay,” Susan recalls.
While nannying offered a steady paycheck, financial concerns persisted — prompting Susan to seek support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Serving nearly 11% of Connecticut’s population, SNAP helps individuals and families meet essential nutritional needs through food benefits and access to critical social services.
For Susan, as for many Americans, it became a lifeline during a time of sacrifice and survival. “There were times when I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she shares. “It was a chapter of my life that required selflessness and patience — but I never gave up on my dream of one day earning a degree.”
Opportunity at the doorstep
In time, that long-coveted dream began to take shape. At 47 years old, Susan earned her high school diploma. “Needless to say,” she says with a smile, “I was the oldest member of my class.”
Although this milestone opened new doors, it was a simple postcard waiting in her mailbox that would shape the path ahead.
That postcard? An advertisement for the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, which helps individuals receiving SNAP benefits access the resources needed to secure more stable employment. Through partnerships with institutions like Goodwin University, SNAP E&T offers eligible students access to career-focused academic programs, job readiness training, and critical support services — all at little to no cost.
“I received a postcard from the SNAP program, and I honestly thought it was a prank,” she recalls.
“I couldn’t believe that a program like SNAP, in partnership with Goodwin, was offering such a life-changing opportunity. Especially for someone like me, who believed that higher education was financially out of reach.”
For Susan — and for many in similar circumstances — it was the turning point she’d been waiting for. It offered more than just access to education. It sparked hope. “I remember holding that flyer and feeling a mix of hope and disbelief, wondering if this could really be the opportunity I had been waiting for.”
Ready to navigate your way to new opportunities and higher earnings? At Goodwin, our SNAP E&T programs provide the career-ready skills needed to pursue rewarding roles in in-demand fields. Learn more about our SNAP programs!
“My village was Goodwin University.”
Susan’s wait was over. Eager to seize the chance to further her education, she enrolled in Goodwin’s Human Services program, joining a close-knit cohort of seven fellow SNAP scholars.
The sense of camaraderie and support was immediate. “From day one, I felt incredibly welcomed. Our professors were compassionate, supportive, and truly present,” she recalls. “That sense of community carried me through every step of the journey. It’s true what they say — it takes a village. My village was Goodwin University.”
Balancing full-time work and raising four daughters while maintaining a 4.0 GPA was no minor feat. But her determination — and the unwavering support of her daughters — kept her moving forward.
“I knew I had the potential. I just needed the opportunity.” Susan continues, “Once I had it, I promised myself I wouldn’t waste it. My daughters understood how much this journey meant to me, and they became my greatest cheerleaders.”
While still a student, her journey took a second turn when she joined Goodwin’s staff as a senior administrative assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It felt surreal,” Susan reflects. “I remember walking into Goodwin as a student, thinking, ‘I’d love to work here one day.’”
Encouraged by her daughter, she applied for the position — and when she was hired, it felt like a full-circle moment. “I’m deeply grateful for the chance to serve at an institution that has given me so much.”
Sacrifices, ceremonies, and solutions
Susan’s undergraduate story reached a triumphant resolution when she was named Valedictorian and received the Award for Academic Excellence — achievements she’s still fully processing.
“I worked hard, but to be recognized like this is truly humbling,” she shares. “All the sacrifices, the late nights, the countless hours of homework — it all mattered. I’m very proud of myself.”
Her daughters are now following paths of their own — and, as Susan playfully notes, she might just be following theirs. One is a third-year medical student, and the other is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. “Two of my daughters are also building careers in the service industry. In many ways, I’m following in their footsteps.”
Now a graduate student in Goodwin’s Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program, her drive to give only continues to grow. “I’ve always been passionate about improving the health and well-being of underserved communities — because I’ve lived that reality. I raised my children in one. I want to be part of the solution — to help close that gap.”
Her ultimate goal is to teach Human Services or Public Health at Goodwin, inspiring and empowering others who have walked similar paths. “My hope is to leave a legacy of amplifying voices — creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. That’s the kind of positive change I want to make.”
From persistence to possibility
For anyone considering a return to the classroom — or feeling stuck — Susan offers powerful advice: “Stay focused. Stay in the race. Even when it gets hard, even when you feel like giving up — remember your why. Giving up should never be an option. You can do it! I did it, and so can you.” And perhaps most importantly, she adds, “Be very kind to yourself.”
Susan’s journey is a vivid reminder of the transformative power of education. In Connecticut, individuals with a high school diploma earn approximately 44% more annually than those without one, and holding a bachelor’s degree increases that difference by an additional 77%. This highlights why programs like SNAP play an essential role for adult learners and families pursuing social mobility.
Her path is a testament to what’s possible when resilience meets opportunity. “You have the power to rewrite the future,” she says. “Our past doesn’t define us. We all have the power to choose how our story continues.”
As for Susan’s story? It’s only just beginning.
It’s time to turn the page — together. Learn how Goodwin can help you get started today!
Bri Gagné is a content developer at Goodwin University, bringing backgrounds in literary studies, creative storytelling, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and social justice. They earned their bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Film Studies, and Gender Studies from University of Connecticut and a master’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
After teaching English abroad and locally, Bri transitioned to a full-time writing career, contributing to the University’s educational narratives and brand-building efforts. They are currently earning their Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College.