Dr. Johnita R. Porter Scholarship 

This scholarship is named for Johnita Porter (99), who graduated from the School of Education with a degree in Special Education. Before retiring in 2021, she dedicated her entire professional career to working with and advocating for children with disabilities. While an undergrad, she overcame insurmountable financial and personal challenges to obtain a Bachelors of Science in Emotional Impairment. She went on to graduate with honors while a single mother to one son (and pregnant with a daughter, born two months after graduation).

Dr. Porter is currently an education researcher, manager, and founding member of an online form of educator professional development called the Virtual Educator Network.

She wants the recipient of this scholarship to be encouraged and reminded that there’s nothing you can’t accomplish through hard work, determination, perseverance, and the ability to roll with the punches.