Michelle Johnson:
CLASS OF 1987
Robbinsdale Armstrong High SchoolClass of 1987
Plymouth, MN
University of MinnesotaClass of 1994
St. paul, MN
University of Minnesota - Liberal ArtsClass of 1992
Minneapolis, MN
Sandburg Middle SchoolClass of 1985
Golden valley, MN
Sigurd Olson Elementary SchoolClass of 1981
Golden valley, MN
Michelle's Story
Life
My personal life is still a work in progress. I am single, never married with no children, and this suits me just fine for now. I have chosen to prioritize my educational and career goals for another few years. I am dating and having a good time enjoying my mostly care free life. Ive met a lot of really nice men, and almost married one, but decided I wasnt going to settle for less than I offer in return. I have a great group of close friends, from junior high school all the way through my current job. In my spare time (Im a workaholic, so its limited) I love driving my Toyota Celica, Latin and Caribbean dancing, volunteering in community, an occasional good television show, movies and book reading in the winter. Thank goodness its spring, so I can enjoy sports (swimming, softball, basketball, shot and discus and racquetball), camping, fishing and outdoor concerts. Im very much into social causes- any rally to support the poor or disenfranchised, and Im there (ex; Pow Wow this afternoon). I believe in social justice and collective responsibility for the state of the world. I returned from Haiti in February, and have a new understanding of poverty. We Americans have much to do in sharing our privilege with others, and Im starting with myself. As a spiritual person, I can do no less and as a humanitarian, I must do more. My favorite quip is Lead, follow or get out of the way! and my personal philosophy is Its better to give than receive. I measure our success as a human society by the health and welfare of our children, and my personal commitment is to better as many lives as possible through my professional and civic efforts, and I expect others to do the same. Im stepping off my soapbox now. All things considered, people view me as a strong, intelligent and compassionate person. Since this is what my parents raised me to be, they did a great job, and I hope to model all this one day for my children.
School
I had an OK time while at Armstrong. I loved being co-captain of the track team, lunch on the lawn with friends, and teachers like John Rondesfet and Paul Anderson. I disliked the petty nature of relationships, cliques, and the prejudice I faced as a young lady of color on a regular basis. Overall, I knew high school was a stepping stone to better things, and am so glad I was right. I do have fond memories of being in the National Honor Society, working on plays like Damned Yankees, being in the choir, playing intramural volleyball with my brother and writing poetry.
College
I graduated with a degree in Honors English (Magna Cum Laude) from the U of M with a minor in African American Studies. My second language is Spanish and I had secondary minors...Expand for more
in History and Political Science. My master's degree is also from the U in Family Social Science, with a minor in Sociology. My thesis was on transracial adoption. I was the founding president of the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association. I then went to Syracuse University for my doctorate from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1994. I have finished my coursework, taken my preliminary exams, and am still working on my dissertation. After being the president of the Black Graduate Student Association, I become the first woman of color to preside over the Graduate Student Association. I also served as the graduate representative on the Board of Trustees, including such illustrious members as Steve Kroft from 60 Minutes (I also got to meet Colin Powell, Jim Brown, Angela Davis, Cornell West and Donna Shalala among a host of other famous people while in New York), and of course I attended numerous basketball games at Madison Square Garden rooting for my Orangemen (2003 NCAA Champions- The Cuse is in the House!) I have received numerous citations and awards and present my research all over the U.S. and Canada, and am definitely a life long learner!
Workplace
I am currently a senior project manager at a national non-profit based in St. Paul. I oversee the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive families in all 87 counties of Minnesota. There are 18,000 kids a year needing placement away from their birth families, and currently almost 700 Minnesota kids who need to be adopted- CALL ME IF YOU WANT INFORMATION! As a former foster child and adopted adult, I know personally of the need for loving families. I have a staff of 13 experienced foster and adoptive parents working throughout the state to recruit in their home communities, and am a prospective foster and adoptive mother myself. I love my employees, and my job!!! Before this, I worked in Syracuse as an adoption and foster care caseworker for a community based agency. While doing my coursework for my Ph.D., I also worked as the on site director of SUs International Living Center, where I supervised 64 students from 25 countries. I intend to visit each of my students in their home country in the next 10 years. During my years at the U of MN getting my B.A. and M.A., I held multiple jobs, from teaching and research assistant to academic advisor for 200 students, to the assistant director of summer research programs. I also become a community faculty professor at Metro State University, where I still lecture on occasion. My early summer jobs during high school as a certified nursing assistant and dietician certainly encouraged my haste in getting an education, and Ive never regretted it.
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