Aris P. Johnson

Community-Based Social Service Organization, New York, NY

March 18, 2016
Aris P. Johnson

Aris P. Johnson, MSW, MPA, currently works as the director of facilities at a settlement house in New York, where her role is to oversee a local Head Start program. She received her Master of Public Administration in 2004 and her MSW 2015.  Additionally, she received the National Association of Social Workers’ Student of the Year Award, for which she notes she was “humbly appreciative of receiving.” Currently she is preparing to take the licensing exam for social work and plans to pursue a Ph.D.

Social work excites me because it allows me to pursue my passion for helping children.  While I do not work directly in the classroom in my role at Head Start, I care for the well-being of children and take on a great responsibility for providing the necessary tools for their achievement. I assess the environmental health and nutrition of children in their primary years. For children to thrive, it is critical that those involved in their care look at every aspect of their growth. Through social work I have also learned to consider what makes an individual child grow. I appreciate that opportunity.

One of my professional role models is Dr. Jennifer Zelnick. She was very instrumental during my studies at Touro, providing detailed insight into advocacy work, which has become my passion at Head Start. Recalling my initial trip to Albany to advocate for legislative initiatives, there were many areas where I was not knowledgeable about the processes at the state level. She walked us through the steps right into our Assemblyperson’s offices.   Returning the following year, I entered the capital with a new boldness and better understanding of the budget process.

The most critical thing I learned in social work school was how to look into all areas of a person’s life. This involves assessing the best strategies in order to achieve the best outcomes. In order to effectively learn and master social work you must have an understanding of oneself.  This clearly reminds me of another mentor, Professor Melissa Halpern-Rojas. She gave each student a paper by Karen Kaiser Clark, “Life is Change. Growth is Optional. Choose Wisely.” I have this displayed in my office as a clear reminder of what it takes to help others in my life. 

What most people don’t realize is that social work is not just sitting down and addressing an individual one-on one. It is also assessing the many layers in a person’s life: the social-emotional, cognitive, and environmental. It even means rolling up your sleeves at times.

My passion for yoga really fits in well with social work. I have practiced for many years, which has allowed my mind and body to perform things that I never realized I could do. I have taken my knowledge and passion for yoga and applied it to helping others strengthen their lives.  I hope to help others see beyond just the micro areas in their lives and strengthen their outlooks to reach beyond their imaginations.

Aris is a member of the school’s Alumni Leadership Council.