This year, Keyo Johnson, Director of Vocational Discernment and Career Development at FranU, led a transformative workshop titled “The Why Behind Our Work” for Physician Assistant students.
Created to help students reconnect with their deeper sense of purpose, the session offered heartfelt guidance, personal storytelling, and a meaningful reminder that vocation is a journey shaped by both intention and unexpected turns.
The idea for the workshop emerged from conversations between Johnson and Physician Assistant Program Director Dr. Josselin Carter about the emotional toll of academic and clinical demands.
“I held this workshop to reignite a sense of joyfulness and vocation in our students’ journey,” Johnson shared.
Throughout the session, Johnson emphasized that vocation is rarely a straight path—a truth reflected in her own story.
After earning a degree in psychology, Johnson planned to go directly into graduate school, but life shifted. Following the passing of her grandmother, who raised her, she faced personal challenges and took on retail work to make ends meet.
A substitute teaching opportunity later opened the door to her passion for education. “To my surprise, I fell in love with the work,” she said.
That moment led to certification and five years of teaching before she returned to graduate school. She eventually re-entered the school system, combining counseling and education to support students both academically and emotionally.
“This journey has reminded me time and again that vocation is not always linear,” Johnson explained. “But when we stay open to where we are being called, our purpose will continue to unfold in meaningful ways.”
These workshops are part of a larger effort to help students navigate vocational discernment and personal growth.
“My hope is that students walk away with clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to their purpose—guidance that stays with them long after they leave the room.”
Her collaboration with the Physician Assistant program highlights the impact that comes from working together to serve students holistically.
“When we join forces across campus to help students explore and understand vocation, we enrich their entire experience. We empower them not only to succeed in their careers but to flourish in spirit and purpose.”
Johnson also emphasizes the importance of resilience—what she calls “grit.”
“With the right guidance, encouragement, and support, students can learn to navigate uncertainty with courage and pursue their path with purpose.”
She sees the workshop’s impact each time students tell her, “I needed this,” or “Thank you for helping us realign our perspective.” Those moments, she says, reaffirm her own “why.”
“It’s a privilege to walk alongside students as they navigate their paths,” Johnson said. “These sessions aren’t just about immediate insight—they’re about planting seeds for lifelong growth, resilience, and purpose.”
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