Elizabeth Johnson
Quick Facts
Age: 40
Major: Nursing, 2024
Additional languages: Swahili & Kikuyu
Notable: First-generation
Transfer Institution: Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Associate of Science, Nursing
“Being an Alfie means to be a part of something bigger than myself. It is becoming an ambassador for change by fostering civility where there is injustice. It is to be a part of a community that is dedicated to make a difference in the world. ”
Service & Work:
Attendant Counselor Manager, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, June 2019–Present
Staffing Manager, Staffing, February 2018–May 2019
Program Manager, Creative Living Services, July 2009–November 2016
Direct Support Professional, Smith Wright Services, June 2005–November 2016
Caregiver, Home Health Aid, Rose Hedge/Multifaith, June 2010–July 2011
Awards & Honors:
Alfie Scholars, Cohort 6, 2021–2023
Bachelor of Arts: Business, Edmonds College, 2019
Elizabeth’s Story
I grew up in a small town in Kenya called Kiserian in the Rift Valley region. I would not say I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I remember being inspired by women who held dignified positions in society, in media, or on political platforms. I grew up in a single family, and I watched my mother raise four children on her own and make sacrifices so that we could all go to school and have a bright future. My mom often relocated to several towns within Kenya to find work or start a small business. With such movement, there was a feeling of instability, lack of connection, and not fitting in. After completing standard 8, my mom thought it would be fit to enroll me in a public boarding high school. High school was nothing like what I had imagined, it was a world of its own. I experienced bullying, peer pressure, and the need to fit in. As much as I tried to do the best I could in that situation, all those things took a toll, and I fell into peer pressure, and I got pregnant at the age of 15. Being a teen mom was challenging, raising a child while being a child and trying to maneuver in a world that was already hard enough when I was by myself. Being responsible for another human shifted my perspective on life, and I knew I needed to be strong for myself and my daughter. While still in Kenya, I learned how to braid and style hair, which became my source of income for my daughter and me. When my daughter was seven years old, I got an opportunity to migrate to the United States. At first, it was challenging to adjust, learn a new way of living, make new friends, build a community, deal with culture shock, and the ordeal of leaving my daughter behind. Not all was lost; I was able to start working as a CNA to support myself and My daughter. During this time, a former supervisor noticed my leadership qualities, and she encouraged me to apply for a supervisor position. While working as a supervisor I struggled with imposter syndrome I felt like I did not belong and the position was suitable for someone else, as I was not as educated as my peers. I decided to take classes at Edmonds Community College to fight those fears and advance my education. Although returning to school had its challenges, there were times I could not continue classes due to financial difficulties, and I had no choice but to drop out of school and work for a while. Eventually, I earned my associate degree in Business at Edmonds community college. As a first-generation college student, my goal is to become a nurse so that I can provide quality care to my patients and give back to the community.
Advice:
My advice to new students is to understand their bigger goals and what they want to achieve in life. From that perspective, take each step at a time, and enjoy the process even through challenges and obstacles. Because those experiences will build a strong character in them, and others will be inspired by their story and journey.
Goals:
My professional goal is to eventually become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and my focus will be on childhood trauma. I would like to be able to treat my patients by not only focusing on their current issues but also looking deeper into where the mental health challenges stem from and provide individualized care. I would also like to be an educator in my community where mental illness is frowned upon and shed a light on it, and instead of viewing mental illness as a weakness, individuals can see it as any other disease that needs attention.
My plan while at Seattle University is to connect with individuals and professors who can mentor me on how I can become a successful nurse. The education that will be provided at Seattle University will get me prepared for my future career in nursing. Additionally, I am planning to seek part-time employment in the medical field to put my acquired skills into practice.
On Civility:
Civility is acting or speaking to others with a same amount of fairness and equality, and still doing so with regards to the different relationships that you have with each other. Civility is a huge part of character and plays a part in defining who we are as people and what we are trying to say while doing all that we do. It is important that we all embrace civility because it means being able to live with one another in coexistence rather than to live amongst one another. For us to get along and to be able to develop as a society, we must learn to understand one another.
