Davenport transfer student tackles obstacles head-on to earn degree

Victoria Johnson has worked in the healthcare industry for nearly 18 years in various roles. She is not afraid to accept new challenges and has consistently pushed herself to advance her career and her education to the next level.

Johnson is a first-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor's of Applied Science in Applied Business at Davenport University, but there were many times when she didn't think she'd make it this far.

Several personal and professional challenges have threatened to derail her pursuit of a college degree, but those challenges also forced her to embrace life's difficult situations and learn to adapt to reach her goals.

"These experiences have shown me the value of perseverance and inspired me to keep moving forward," said Johnson.

Her journey in the healthcare field began in 2007 when she became a medical assistant. She has been employed with Corewell Health for nearly a decade and has transitioned through several roles, from a medical assistant in primary care to positions in supply chain and population health. She is currently serving as an internal auditor, where she assists with audits to ensure compliance with health care standards and regulations.

Her ability to thrive in an ever-changing environment was tested in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the country and into the hospital where she was employed.

"Working as a medical assistant during COVID-19 involved various challenges that tested our resilience," said Johnson. "The pandemic brought significant changes to our daily routines and procedures, and we had to quickly adapt to new protocols and change the way we operated."

It was a challenging time for sure, and while she is glad the pandemic is over, she is thankful for the skills and lessons she learned along the way, especially the ability to adapt.

Johnson said each healthcare position she has held, along with the challenges she faced working through the pandemic, has shaped her career path and fueled her decision to pursue higher education and advance her skills.

At the start of the fall semester, Johnson transferred to Davenport from Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), where she earned an Associate's in Business Administration, focusing on supply chain and technology.

She chose to transfer to Davenport mainly because of its strong reputation in health care, business, and technology education. It also makes it easy to transfer credits from community colleges. Another reason she chose Davenport was the welcoming atmosphere and individualized attention she received from Jamarcus Wiggins, assistant director of admissions.

"A key factor that influenced my decision was the incredible support I received from Jamarcus," said Johnson. "His guidance during my time at GRCC and throughout the transfer process made my transition seamless and reaffirmed my choice to complete my bachelor's at Davenport. I was also happy to learn that the credits I earned at both GRCC and Ross Education were accepted when I transferred."

Wiggins said assisting Johnson with her transfer to Davenport was a great experience. "Victoria is one of the most hardworking and determined students that I have had the pleasure to work with, and I'm confident that her success will continue here at Davenport and beyond," said Wiggins.

Johnson said continuing her education would not have been possible without the Futures for Frontliners Scholarship, which she received in recognition of herpatient-facing role during the COVID-19 shutdown, and the President's Transfer Scholarship, which she also was awarded.

"Receiving these scholarships was a game changer for me," said Johnson. "The Futures for Frontliners Scholarship came at a time when I was balancing my career and managing the impacts of the pandemic, and receiving the President's Transfer Scholarship validated my hard work. The scholarships didn't just ease the financial burden of pursuing my education; they also strengthened my determination to continue learning and allowed me to focus on my classes and not on how I'll pay for college."

Balancing her career, academics, and personal life has been a challenge at times, which is not altogether uncommon for someone in Johnson's shoes. What is uncommon, however, is doing so while managing health conditions that require extra attention to her well-being.

"Balancing everything has been difficult, especially while managing health challenges," said Johnson. "One of the hardest parts is that my health conditions aren't always visible, which can make it difficult for others to fully understand what I'm going through."

Through this journey, Johnson has gained a new perspective on resilience and the importance of prioritizing her health. "Finding balance among these different priorities has taught me to adapt and focus on what is truly important," she said.

With everything Johnson is dealing with, it would be understandable if she threw in the towel and gave up on her dream of earning a college degree. But that's not who she is. She embraces change and tackles obstacles head-on.

Even though Johnson has been a Panther for only a short time, she has great things to say about Davenport.

"I've had a positive experience at Davenport so far, thanks to the supportive environment," said Johnson. "As a working professional who is continuing her education, I appreciate the flexibility of online and accelerated courses. Balancing everything isn't always easy, but the flexibility Davenport offers certainly helps."

Johnson hopes to graduate from Davenport in December 2025 and hopes to continue contributing to the healthcare industry.

"This degree will broaden my knowledge and equip me with the essential business skills I need to be successful," she said. "I am particularly interested in how technology can be leveraged to transform healthcare systems, streamlining processes and reducing inefficiencies to ultimately achieve better patient outcomes."

For Johnson, earning a degree isn't just about professional growth. It's about proving to herself that she is capable of more.

"A degree represents the perseverance and dedication I've put into getting where I am today, helping me build my skills and gain the confidence needed to achieve my long-term goals," Johnson said.

As a first-generation college student, Johnson's educational journey is particularly meaningful.

"Being a first-generation college student is something I'm incredibly proud of. It represents achieving what once felt out of reach," said Johnson. "This journey is about proving to myself that hard work and persistence can open doors that weren't always visible, illustrating my ability to create new opportunities for myself."

With a diploma from Davenport on her wall and a hands-on career in healthcare that spans almost two decades, Johnson will be poised to bring a unique and valuable perspective to any future employer.

"I hope my journey inspires others to pursue their goals, no matter how distant they may seem. In the end, it's fulfilling to know that I'm forging a new path for myself and building a brighter future," said Johnson.

For more info on transferring to Davenport,click here.

For more information on Davenport's First-Generation initiatives,click here.

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