Stories of Excellence
Jermaine Johnson
Having a career in insurance was not a part of Jermaine Johnson’s plan prior to coming to North Carolina. Johnson, the son of a high ranking member (a “king,” as Johnson called him) of the Gangster Disciples in Detroit, Michigan, had been groomed since birth for a life in gangs. Searching for more meaning for his life and a safer, more stable way to provide for his family, Johnson moved to Statesville in 2006.
With only a fifth grade education, Johnson’s prospects seemed limited until, with the support of his family, he began classes for his GED in 2009. Johnson recalled the encouragement he received from Mitchell employees when he used his lack of education and his background as an excuse. “I told them ‘I’m going to try my best,’ and they said ‘We don’t want to hear that, you’re going to pass’,” he said. After earning his high school credentialing, he entered a curriculum program in 2010. And the support continued. “I could call my teachers—any of them at any time—and they would help me,” Johnson related. Even though he struggled balancing school, work and family, Johnson noted “No one shamed me. No one acted like ‘we don’t care’.” To this day, Johnson appreciates his interactions with Mitchell employees, particularly the late Lamont Kinney and dean Mark Smalley. “I was more successful because of them,” he shared.
On May 15, 2015, Johnson received his associate degree in business administration. His next step is to take North Carolina’s insurance licensing test so that he can become an agent. No matter where he goes from here, he will always have positive things to say about his Mitchell experience. “I really, really love Mitchell,” he said, “I believe I really needed that—the family, the love. I feel like Mitchell really did that for me.”
Learn more about how you can create your new reality at Mitchell and excel at your goals! Discover degrees and programs Mitchell offers then find out how to apply. For additional support, speak to an advisor at (704) 978-5493 or advising@mitchellcc.edu.
Photo credit: Preston Spencer