Anthony Johnson (“AJ” to everyone) grew up in Fort Worth but was introduced to TCU when he was 17 years old.
“I didn’t know much about TCU, but when I won the Role Model Scholarship, one of the conditions was to choose a local school,” he explained. “When I visited TCU, I decided on the spot. It was small and the people were so happy to be there. It was just the right place.”
After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1998, a master's degree in educational leadership and administration in 2005, and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2010 (all at TCU), TCU remains his niche. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the College of Education and provides: Provide feedback on the program and serve as a community link.
Cultivating community was always part of his plan, thanks to his youth spent at the local Boys & Girls Club, which shaped his personal and professional journey.
“Next to TCU, the Boys & Girls Club has been one of the biggest influences on my life,” he said. “When I needed direction, they provided it. There I made some of my best friends and met some great mentors who taught me life skills.” My first job was at the Boys & Girls Club of Arlington.
“My plan was to work for the club because that was the best way I could contribute to the community,” he said.
He found a passion for helping young people.
“You never know what it’s going to be like for a child,” he said. “I tell them, 'When it comes to economic status, education, family, you may be at zero. You can be everything or nothing. Appropriate influences. If you have power, you can be a solid citizen. If you fall under the wrong influence, you might end up in prison.” 
His desire to serve and positively impact youth led him to Crowley ISD, where he serves as manager of the district's T3 (Tarrant To and Through) Partnership. This program is designed to ensure more Tarrant County students have the training and skills they need, whether they want to enter the vocational, technical, professional or military careers.
From his time spent with T3 youth, he recognized some of the challenges that first-generation college students struggle with. It is a movement from one socio-economic class to another.
“Most of the systems are not designed to accommodate students transitioning from high school to college,” he said. “There's a gap.”
he's helping me fill it survive and thrivea nonprofit organization he founded.
“We are teaching skill sets that adults assume children know, such as conflict resolution, life planning, proper speaking, and developing social skills,” he said. “These kids have the same goal as all of us: to be successful and safe.”
Part of the reason he wants to contribute to society in such a positive way is because of his leadership at TCU. The list is long, but he credits former Lieutenant Governor Leo Munson with high praise. Daron Turner, TCU's first Chief Inclusion Officer. Mike Sacken, former education professor; Dan Powell, former associate professor;
“They are like father figures to me. They taught me civic responsibility, imagination, creative problem solving, and that through education, there is always possibility,” he said. Told. “I can’t imagine getting through TCU without them.”
Now, his journey has come full circle and he is leveraging his connections at TCU to serve the community.
“I have a wealth of resources and networks across the metroplex to help serve children,” he said. “My way of giving back is to mentor hundreds of kids.”
He also aims to continue bridging the connection between his hometown and his school.
“Fort Worth has grown into a great city and embraced TCU,” he said. “As a kid, I didn't have that exposure. Now, TCU engages so many students across the community and I want them and the students I mentor to know that there is an opportunity here. I want people to recognize that.”
When he meets former students who attended TCU, they thank him for introducing them to a community they might not have known about if they weren't at TCU.
“They often tell me, 'I'm going to make you and TCU proud,'” he says. “And they are.”
