Yogi, nonprofit volunteer, Coloradan Jacqueline Johnson

Utah State University student Jacqueline Johnson is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies.  

She is also graduating with a double minor in yoga studies and mental health advocacy and awareness. 

“How is this actually happening? Like, I’m in shock,” Johnson said in reference to her feelings surrounding graduating.   

Johnson said other emotions she has felt include excitement, accomplishment and pride.   

Johnson is from Parker, Colorado and has been attending USU since 2017. She decided to go to Utah State because she wanted to live in Utah and her grandpa graduated from USU.  

Johnson started her college experience feeling undecided on her major. She was thinking about elementary education, but after she took a bunch of random classes, she ultimately landed on the HDFS major.  

She said her favorite part of her major is how applicable the material is.   

“You go to class and you learn about something, and then you see it in your everyday life,” Johnson said.  

Johnson said she wants to be a marriage and family therapist after her schooling. She plans to attend USU for marriage and family therapy grad school in the fall. 

She is married and said she would eventually love to be a mom and try to balance it all.  

“This summer I’m going to New Hampshire with my husband, who has an internship — New Hampshire for two months and then going back to Utah State,” Johnson said.  

Johnson said her marriage and family therapy grad school will be two years long and there will be 16 total students in the program.   

“I always did want to do grad school because I really do love school,” Johnson said. “But, I didn’t know if I wanted to do a PhD or a master’s.” 

Johnson said she has prepared for her post-graduation plans by being an undergraduate teaching fellow, and being involved with research within her department. 

She said her professor, Dr. Diana Meter, has helped get her involved with various outside-of-class research opportunities.  

Within her department, Johnson is a member of the council for the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion group.   

“I’d say at Utah State, we have less diversity than other places, and so it’s been really cool to think about those issues and be proactive about trying to make an inclusive place for people,” Johnson said. 

Outside of her major, she is involved with a local nonprofit organization called Avenues of Hope.  

“Their mission, or goal, is to help prevent suicide and to support family members who have had loved ones died by suicide,” Johnson said. 

She has been a board member for the last two years, where she plans and runs events for the nonprofit. 

“They use yoga classes for people as a support, and so it was kind of like, all these intersectionality of all the things I love,” Johnson said.  

Johnson has enjoyed being a part of these programs, as it has provided her a sense of belonging and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger where she can help others. 

“I love the idea of helping people, but sometimes the idea is a lot harder to actually implement. When someone says, ‘Plan this,’ or, ‘Let’s talk about a survey to help students,’ or whatever, it’s like, ‘Oh, something actionable that I can actually do,’” Johnson said.  

Johnson said she loves Utah State for the non-judgement sense of community it has. 

Her favorite memory at USU is from her first year when USU beat Brigham Young University, and the students rushed the field.  

She loves spending time outdoors with her friends; her favorite outdoor activities in Logan are rock climbing and doing bonfires.  

Her love for yoga comes from her friends encouraging her to sign up for a yoga class during her first year at USU. 

“I took a yoga class and then I kind of just kept taking classes, and I think the teachers in the department are really inspiring,” Johnson said.  

Her favorite spot to study on campus is the Sorenson Center.  

“It’s like all windows basically, it’s really bright and light,” she said. 

Johnson said her professors are all really cool people who have contributed to her positive experience at Utah State.  

“Talk to professors and get involved within the department,” she said, giving advice for other HDFS students.   

Johnson gave specific mention to her professors Dr. Diana Meter, Darcy Keady and Kevin Barlow.  

“They’ve cared about me as an individual,” Johnson said. “They’ve also helped me with my career goals, and getting into grad school, what to expect, and helping me out with setting up my practicum. They just helped me all round as a person, as a student, as someone who wants to keep going to school.” 

-Kate.Stewart@usu.edu

Featured photo by Bailey Rigby