2024 PSD Health Science: Eric Johnson
There is so much that Eric went through to get to where he is today. A re-entry student, he came to Cypress College after a 32-year break from higher education, a decision brought on by a difficult period of employment termination and family health crises.
Starting school again held its own challenges. Eric wanted to join the highly regarded, award-winning Radiologic Technology program, so he took prerequisites to raise his GPA and become a viable candidate for the competitive entry process. Moreover, he returned to school shortly before the 2019-2020 school year; when COVID-19 pandemic lockdown occurred, he had to adjust to at-home schooling with eight family members under one roof, each with their own remote work or school needs.
But if work difficulty and health issues didn’t stop his trajectory, school hurdles wouldn’t either. Eric worked hard to keep up with classes and not only passed, but excelled to become the Presidential Scholar of Distinction for Health Science. He’s headed to Cal State Dominguez Hills to study further, and then can go on to work to help others who might be facing difficulty.
Please tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
I grew up in Fullerton, California, and I have had too many interests in my life to write down. But one that has stood the test of time is being a lifelong Star Wars fan.
I chose to return to school after 32 years to once again provide for my and my family’s future. In late 2017, I lost my job of 11 years at DirecTV/ATT; several major hardships had struck my family, leaving me exhausted, stressed, and easily distracted, precipitating an at-fault car accident in my company vehicle. My wife had just lost what would have been our fifth baby and subsequently underwent a traumatic medical procedure that left her hospitalized, followed by my mother’s hospitalization when she fell into a month-long coma after suffering a major stroke. Despite many stressful months of searching, I was unable to find financially sustainable full-time employment, so after my wife had recovered from her ordeal, I decided to return to school to finish my degree in Radiology Technology.
I began taking the remainder of the required prerequisites knowing that if I wanted to get accepted into the area’s top radiology program at Cypress College, I’d need a 4.0 GPA. That can be challenging even in the best of circumstances, which mine were not. I chose Radiologic Technology, as I previously had a limited X-ray license, and I really enjoyed the job and I always wanted at some point to return to school and finish getting my full license.
My family and I have had more challenges to count, unfortunately, in the journey to where I am right now. It seems almost at the moment I decided to put my energy into returning to school, in early 2019, the challenges really started.
Over the next year, we asked our already blended family to adjust and adapt when first, my mother-in-law and then later, my wife’s 10-year-old cousin suddenly had to move in due to uncertainty in their own lives. Eight people then lived under one roof. Each transition posed unique and significant challenges, but we made it work and we began to see new growth from everyone before it all would fall apart bigger and worse than ever before.
My wife and I both had children when we began dating, I had primary custody of our two oldest and she had sole custody of our middle daughter. My ex-wife always struggled with her mental health and despite the years of seeking help, seeing numerous medical professionals, trying different medications, and complying with their therapies, she took her own life on July 4, 2019, leaving our children, then 15 (daughter) and 17(son), without their mother and my wife and I utterly unprepared and completely ill-equipped to guide them through the loss. Finding balance between studying, working part-time, and trying to give my children what they needed felt impossible as I watched them start to make some poor choices.
Then, suddenly, the entire world stopped with the pandemic. I found myself once again unemployed, surrounded by the same eight faces day in and day out, taking Physics alongside our five children and their schooling needs in one house. After a few weeks, we had a clear set of rules and expectations that we could build on and implemented a structured schedule with transitions announced over our Google speakers throughout our house. I felt that we were just starting to regain some control again when my 97-year-old grandfather fell and hit his head, shaking things up once again. My father and I began to alternate spending every other night with him leaving my wife with all our kids and asking my oldest to stay with his grandma on the nights my father couldn’t be home. I made the most of this opportunity, completing the bulk of my schoolwork the nights I was away free from the constant distractions and stimulation.
Today I can proudly say that I am a member of the Cypress College Radiologic Technician Program, 2024 graduating class. While it was a fight to get here, I can see where every hardship also held significant opportunity for personal self-growth and the chance to be there for what’s most important to me, my family. After obtaining employment as a Radiologic Technician, I plan to transfer to Cal State Dominguez Hills and begin a new educational journey to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiology and Imaging Sciences.
What are you most passionate about? Why?
I am most passionate about my family. An important part of my journey is to not only to prove to myself I can do it, but also to show all four of my kids that even when the odds are stacked against you, anything can be accomplished.
Why did you choose Cypress College?
I chose Cypress College because it has the best Radiologic Technology program.
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
The only thing I’ve been involved with at Cypress College is that I am a class officer in the radiology program
Share a memorable event or experience while you’ve been a Cypress College student.
The most memorable experience while I have been at Cypress College was I was taking Physics when the pandemic broke out and my teacher communicating that we would be taking a few days off maybe a week or two and then not actually stepping into a classroom for two years
Who are the faculty and staff (in your major, an academic or other support program, etc.) who have helped you get where you are today?
Dr. Michael Frianeza, Lynn Mitts, Raymond Ranada, Gary Binoya, Evelyn Hernandez, Robert McDermott, and Jack Griswold.
How has Cypress College supported you throughout your time at the college?
Cypress College has most definitely supported me throughout my time here. Most directly the faculty of the Radiologic Technology program
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
My Immediate goals are to obtain employment as a Radiologic Technician at a local hospital.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
My long-term plans are to get a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiology and Imaging Sciences.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my family. From the guidance from my parents, to the strength my wife gives me, and my kids who humble me.
What bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
The advice I would give to current and future students is that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank my wife, Lindsey Johnson. I could not have accomplished returning to school if not for her.