KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 28, 2025

Kennesaw State University student Aliyah Johnson recently joined educators, industry leaders, and policymakers from across Georgia at the 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit, held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Representing the University System of Georgia, Johnson served as a panelist during the closing session, “Pathways to Possibilities – Where Talent Meets Opportunity,” where she shared her perspective on how students can best prepare for, and be supported along, their educational and career journeys.

The annual summit, part of the governor’s “Top State for Talent” initiative, focuses on strengthening Georgia’s workforce pipeline and expanding access to high-demand careers. This year’s event highlighted programs such as Georgia MATCH and the Georgia Career Navigator, intended to help students find postsecondary pathways and workforce opportunities across the state.

For Johnson, the conversation around talent and opportunity is personal. Her own path to Kennesaw State began through dual enrollment and the Rockdale Career Academy, where she explored healthcare careers and earned certifications that sparked her passion for 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.

Now a junior in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Johnson has built an impressive record of leadership on campus. She currently serves as vice president of KSU’s Student Government Association and as a President’s Parliament Scholar Ambassador, roles that have strengthened her voice as an advocate for the student experience she’s had at Kennesaw State.

During the panel discussion, participants were asked to provide insight on how the leaders in attendance can better support 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 reflected on the power of empathy and mentorship in shaping student success.

“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 participation in the Governor’s Workforce Summit underscores Kennesaw State’s commitment to preparing career-ready graduates and highlights the value of student voices in shaping Georgia’s future workforce.

– Story by Elyssa Reed

   Photo provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.