Juan “TJ” Johnson

Juan “TJ” Johnson, Criminal Justice major at Edgecombe Community College

Juan “TJ” Johnson, 20, never planned to become a student leader. He didn’t anticipate landing in Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities for two consecutive years. He never expected he would spend a week in Scotland, either.

Johnson’s world has expanded and he has accomplished more than he ever dreamed possible at Edgecombe Community College, just a few miles from his home.

After he graduated from Tarboro High School, he enrolled at Edgecombe because the campus was close to home. Also, he had taken two courses at ECC while he was in high school, so he was familiar with the college.

The decision to attend Edgecombe has resulted in an “awesome experience,” he says. “The people are great. The faculty and staff are a strong, effective team, and I’ve made a lot of wonderful friends.

“This has been a much better environment for me than a large four-year school. I have matured and progressed really well academically and intellectually.” A “B student” in high school, Johnson has worked diligently in his college courses and maintains a 3.6 GPA at ECC.

A Criminal Justice major, he will graduate in May and plans to transfer to a four-year school to complete his bachelor’s degree. His long-term goal is to be a U.S. Marshal.

Johnson holds a second degree black belt in karate. Through this training, he learned that “the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.” This lesson has informed his college career more than any other.

At ECC, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to become involved in the life of the college. He is:

• Vice President, Student Government Association
• Past Parliamentarian, SGA
• Member, Phi Theta Kappa honor society
• Member, Criminal Justice Club
• Member, EMPAC minority male mentoring organization
• ECC Foundation Student Ambassador
• Work-study student, ECC Business Office
• Graduate, North Carolina Community College System Student Leadership Development Program
• Member, SkillsUSA Club

As a member of the college’s first SkillsUSA team last year, Johnson placed third in a statewide competition with his forensic science project. He also received a scholarship to join the ECC Travel Abroad trip to Scotland in May 2015. Both experiences, he says, were “once in a lifetime” opportunities.

Some people believe you can’t get as much from a community college as you can at a four-year school. Well, that’s a myth. I would tell anyone to start here.
Edgecombe Community College will get you where you want to be.
— Juan “TJ” Johnson