Gay Johnson, CEHHS Winter 2017 Chancellor's Medallion Recipient

Gay Johnson

Gay Johnson, a College of Education, Health, and Human Services student, was one of the five new graduates who were recognized as Chancellor's Medallion recipients during the UM-Dearborn's commencement ceremony on April 30, 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in healthy policy studies and a minor in women's and gender studies. She graduated with High Distinction.

Gay transferred to UM-Dearborn as part of the Honors Transfer Innovators program, and during her education years at CEHHS, she was on the Dean's List as a part-time student for Fall 2013/Winter 2014 and Fall 2014/Winter 2015 and was named a 2014 UM-Dearborn Difference Maker.

"I wanted to inspire others to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams as I aimed to do regardless of my age. My desire to pursue an education was something I desired to achieve", said Gay.

She chose Health Policy studies as her major because her father experienced many health challenges and "I wanted to know what policies were in place so he could receive the best possible care", she said. "I chose UM-Dearborn, because I would receive a quality education while enhancing my employment opportunities."

Gay was a very active student leader. She was the chair of Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL), vice president of communications for the campus chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and served as a site leader for the annual MLK Day of Service. She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.

Now she plans to use her acquired skills to advance her career at Delta Airlines and in the future, Gay also plans to open a long-term shelter for homeless people. "Homelessness is a huge issue which needs to be addressed more often", she concluded.

Winter 2017 UM-Dearborn Chancellor's Medallion Recipients and
Student speaker (from left): Brandon Lee (CECS), Jamie Jeffries (CASL),
Kevin Landwehr (COB), Gay Johnson (CEHHS), Victor Jimenez (Student
Speaker-CASL) and Nic Jones (CASL)