Jermaine Johnson grew up dreaming of suits and ties. This spring, he graduates from Ƶ with an associate degree in business administration — and his eyes already locked on the fastest-growing field in the business world: artificial intelligence.
A Roundabout Road to The River
Jermaine’s path to graduation wasn’t a straight line. He played football at Okeechobee High School and received an offer from another college. That detour didn’t stick. He came back to The River — and found exactly what he needed. “It’s been great ever since,” he says simply. Sometimes the right place takes a try or two to find.
Business Has Always Been His World
The pull toward business started early. “Since I was little, the suits and ties always stood out for me,” Jermaine says. That instinct guided him toward business administration, and The River gave him the foundation to act on it. His final course — Financial Accounting II with Professor Redman — wraps up right alongside his degree. He also pursued an IT certification independently, adding a technical credential to his business toolkit on his own initiative.
The Faculty Member Who Made Graduation Possible
When Jermaine talks about the people who shaped his journey, one name comes up immediately: Dr. Maitland. “I wouldn’t even be walking at graduation if it wasn’t for her,” he says. “This is all possible because of her.” Dr. Maitland connected him with the right people, mapped out his schedule, and set him on track for both graduation and the bachelor’s program that follows. Professor Redman also gets a strong shout-out for guiding him through his coursework. Together, the business faculty upstairs at The River gave Jermaine the support structure he needed to finish strong.
Use the Resources — They’re There for You
Like most students, Jermaine hit rough patches along the way. His approach never changed: use what’s available. “The resources are always there,” he says. “A lot of students don’t take advantage of them — but they’re there for you.” His advice for any student who’s struggling is direct: start with your professor, have a real conversation, then go to tutoring, then go to whoever else you need. “The people here have real experience that can help you,” he says.
Betting on Artificial Intelligence
After graduation, Jermaine plans to earn his bachelor’s degree and position himself at the intersection of business and technology. His specific target: AI. “The AI bubble is booming, and it’s a great opportunity to get in at the start,” he says. His business administration background gives him a strong foundation, and his self-directed IT certification signals exactly the kind of initiative that field rewards. He sees the opportunity clearly and he’s moving toward it.
A Weight Off His Shoulders
Crossing the commencement stage means something specific to Jermaine. “It’s going to feel like a big weight dropping off my shoulders,” he says. “It’s been a long time coming.” His parents will be there, along with his sister and possibly his grandparents, watching their family’s wishes for him come true. “Knowing that my family is proud is going to make me feel complete,” he says. Their belief in him and his belief in himself — finally, at the same moment.
College Is What You Make It
To anyone questioning whether college is worth the effort, Jermaine keeps it simple: “College is what you make it. When you have all the tools and resources available to you, you need to take advantage of them.” The hardest part, he says, isn’t the coursework — it’s the balancing act. A busy schedule, a full life, competing demands. But take that first step, use what’s in front of you, and the rest follows.
YOUR FUTURE’S IN MOTION.
ARE YOU?
College doesn’t have to be confusing or out of reach.The River gives you the clarity, support, and energy to move—on your terms.
