We hope you enjoy this series where we meet and get to know employees from across campus. Would you like to be featured? Contact us at campusnews@csufresno.edu.

Name: Jennie Johnson
Title: Director
Department: Services for Students with Disabilities
Academic Degrees: M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling, Fresno State

How long you have worked at Fresno State: 16 years. I started out as an intern at SSD, was eventually hired as the testing/reading accommodations coordinator, moved into a counseling role, and I’ve served as the director since 2016.

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important? It’s more of an accomplishment in my culture, but becoming a director. I am a first-generation Latina college student. Although my family was supportive of higher education, they discouraged me from moving away from home. I moved to Fresno not having a clue how to navigate college life. It has been a journey with a lot of highs and lows, but I am proud of who I’ve become and where I am at.

What are you most passionate about in your field and why? Fostering a sense of inclusion for students with disabilities and bringing awareness of the resources we offer to students with varying abilities. We are a campus that strives to be inclusive of various cultures and identities and yet disability is often forgotten as a culture and that it is a huge part of someone’s identity.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job? One of my very shy and reserved students brought me a strawberry pizza pie and gave me a hug on her graduation day! I never expected either to come from her. She thanked me for advocating for her throughout her years at Fresno State. It's my job to facilitate accommodations, but it wasn't until that day that I realized the impact our services have on our students.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time? My husband works many hours in his line of work so when he has time off, we like to take the kids to our family cabin in Shaver or take trips to Cayucos.

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know? My passion for working in this field came from being a college student with a disability. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis my senior year and I was on the verge of dropping out because the pain was so debilitating. I wasn't aware of SSD services but I was fortunate to have some very supportive friends and empathetic faculty to encourage me to continue. This started me on my path to help and encourage those who may be in similar situations.

Is there something else you would like to share that was not asked? I think there is a misconception that SSD is the sole entity that provides accommodations for students, and sometimes the campus. However, it takes a village to provide support to students with disabilities and we are just here to help facilitate the accommodations for students. We truly rely on and appreciate the collaboration and support that faculty and instructors give to promote an equitable environment from the first day of class.