Kennesaw State University student Aliyah Johnson participated as a panelist at the 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit, which took place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The summit brought together educators, industry leaders, and policymakers from across Georgia to discuss strategies for strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline and expanding access to careers that are in high demand.
Representing the University System of Georgia, Johnson spoke during the closing session titled “Pathways to Possibilities – Where Talent Meets Opportunity.” She shared her thoughts on how students can be better prepared for their educational and career paths and how they can be supported throughout these journeys.
The summit is part of the governor’s “Top State for Talent” initiative. This year’s event emphasized programs like Georgia MATCH and the Georgia Career Navigator, both designed to help students identify postsecondary education options and connect with workforce opportunities throughout Georgia.
Johnson explained that her own route to Kennesaw State started through dual enrollment and participation at Rockdale Career Academy, where she gained exposure to healthcare careers and earned certifications that led her toward nursing. “Those experiences helped me adjust to the pace of college and gave me a foundation to thrive at KSU in leadership and research,” she said.
Currently a junior in Kennesaw State’s Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Johnson serves as vice president of the university’s Student Government Association and as a President’s Parliament Scholar Ambassador. These roles have given her experience advocating for students on campus.
During the panel discussion, Johnson offered advice for those supporting students: “My advice to leaders is to lead with listening and see every student through the lens of potential,” she said. “Some of us come to college with resources and direction, while others arrive simply with hope and determination. The best support comes from leaders who see us not just as students, but as people who are growing, learning, and trying to make a difference.”
She also spoke about empathy and mentorship: “When leaders invest in both connection and opportunity, they shape not just scholars, but servant leaders who will go on to do the same in their own communities,” she added.
Johnson’s involvement in this event reflects Kennesaw State University’s ongoing efforts to prepare its graduates for successful careers while emphasizing student input in conversations about workforce development.
