TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALWAYS TREATED FAIRLY. ' IIIIIIDR. JIM JOHNSTON, DIRECTOR OF ST D Instead of standing in the front of the class, Dr. Jim Johnston worked from belUnd his desk. Instead of teaching groups of students, he interacted with them individually. Instead of following orders, suddenly people asked him to make decisions. InJanuaryof2OOl,Johnstonchanged his career, moving from associate professor in the College of Education to director of Student Support Services, a federally funded program that assisted students who were first -generation college, had a learning disability or carne from low-income families. Johnston replaced Linda Thompson, who left SSS to manage the new McNair Grant program in October of 2003. When he first agreed to take the job, Johnston said he didn't know much about SSS, and that he had to go through some intensive training. In addition, Johnston had to adjust to being in an administrative position with people coming to him to grant permission for projects and to make decisions. He aJsa transitioned from a teaching position, where professors taught classes and were required to have 10 hours a week of office time, to an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. office position "Ifs just a different job, but 1love it," Jolmston said. "I get to be good to people who are not always treated fairly." Johnston said working inSSS gave him theoppcrtunity to develop relationships with students and to minister to those who might otherwise "fall through the cracks." "When 1 was a student at Harding [in 1972-76], I feU in love with what goes on here," he said. "There is a spirit here, and I'm afraid that not everybody gets a hold of it. In my position now, Tget to create that appreciation for Harding for students who may not otherwise get it." Teresa Mcleod, disability specialist and counselor, said it was evident that Johnston cared about the students and that he worked well with the SSS staff. "He's a hands-on person," McLeod said. "He works together with the staff as a team and works with the counselors. He's been very supportive of us." -DEANNTHOMAS ACADEMIC SERVICES -191
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