Last week, I walked into the Hutchins Office and our
Administrative Analyst, Billie Johnson, had remodeled the
Department office. She had created a much-needed
conversation nook in a corner, moved a small couch near a
sunny window, and put more movable chairs around the
table at the center of the room. This new to us is what she
found for free and floating around the university. There is
also a lending library for students who can’t afford
textbooks for their classes and a display space for books
that faculty has written. Johnson’s desk is not where she
would ideally like because of the ancient wiring; if she
were to move to her preferred location in the room, and
someone turned on the microwave and then someone else
used the copier—the breaker blows. I keep trying to come
up with absurd solutions that involve multiple extension
cords, which makes her laugh—something I love to hear.
The importance of this upgrade is that it informs the
students and guests that even though our university is
going through a challenging time—and Liberal Studies
Programs are being shuttered throughout the nation and
state—that we are, for now, still here.
On the walls, Johnson has put group photos of our
students. These photographs are one of the many
reminders of our purpose. My favorite was taken at the top
of Coit Tower; the students are bathed in sunlight with
huge smiles on their faces. Johnson organized this field
trip out of non-existent funds. We had just come out of
COVID and couldn’t afford, as we had in the past,
admission to one of the wonderful museums in S.F., so we
created an historical walking tour of North Beach and
Chinatown. For many first-year students, it was the first
time that they had been on a field trip. Friendships were
27forged and memories were made. Upon our return, the
expression on Johnson’s face was one of deep satisfaction.
Despite everything, a worldwide pandemic, unexpected
budget cuts, she had provided a solution for our
students—again.
During our recent registration, due to a gap in the system,
Johnson’s email pinged without mercy. At a time of less of
everything, she is working relentlessly and practically to
ensure make sure that our students get what they need.
She’s brilliant at knowing what’s possible and what’s not.
Like our students, I go to her for honest answers to hard
questions. There are more students that I can count who
were able to graduate because when they came to her—
ready to drop out—she was able to give a kind of tough
care that acknowledges the reality of obtaining an
education for some. One student did their senior capstone
project on advice that Johnson had given her during a
rough semester. The student was jugging a full-time job,
health issues, and was thinking about dropping out. The
title of the senior capstone project was “C’s get degrees.”
Billie Johnson is not a therapist, nor is she a hero, she’s
one of the many people that have existed throughout time
who find a way to work within broken systems and during
challenging times. Not wanting to take too much of her
time, here is our brief interview:
First, what drew you to working at a university? Watching
you with students and seeing the tangible effect that you
have on their lives—what makes you give more than you
receive in financial compensation?
When I left my corporate job, I was burned out and felt
like I wasn’t being true to myself. A friend of mine who
worked at the university suggested I apply because it
works well with a family schedule, especially with twoyoung children and a husband at home. I never took the
job at the university for the money. When I started, my pay
was laughable. Looking back, I laugh at myself and shake
my head. I left a mid 6-figure job and took one that paid
me less than $30,000 a year to start. This job was never
about the money. It was about being able to give back and
be there for people who didn’t have someone on their side
who understands the college system. I wanted to help first
generation students and students from lower income
families reach their full potential and goals. I help every
student that walks through the door, but it’s more special
to me when I get to help those students because it hits
close to home.
2. What does it say about the world that we live that we
have systems that are dependent on folks like yourself
who fill in the gaps & yet there isn't the financial
compensation to go with this unpaid labor.
America was built on the backs of people like me—
hardworking, don’t quit people, that care. It’s the people
that care and put a little more into what they do that make
this world great. We as a society don’t value hard work
and caring people. We value people that can entertain us
and couldn’t care less about others. For example, athletes
make millions of dollars, but we pay our teachers less
than $100,000 a year, and in some other states way less
than that. If you ask society, they’ll say we need teachers,
but we aren’t willing to pay for them.
Is it fair? No. But it’s been this way forever, and I don’t
believe it will ever change. I don’t know anyone that does
more than they should and gets paid for what they do.
3. Who was your mentor?
29I can’t say one person is my mentor. I was never someone
who believed one person could have all the answers, so
I’ve always looked to a few different people to help guide
me. I’ve had the privilege of having strong women
throughout my life who guided me at different stages.
4. What would be a step in the right direction to create
new inroads of communication in organizations like ours
that depend on the work of you and your colleagues.
A step in the right direction would be actually listening to
the people doing the work every day. The people on the
ground are the ones who see what students are going
through and where the gaps are. We need more honest
communication and less working in silos. If we talked
more and worked together, instead of separately, we could
help students in a much bigger way. It’s about making sure
people feel heard and valued, not just be expected to keep
filling in the gaps.
5. I remember once you said, "I don't want a big deal
made about what I do, but I would like a thank you card."
Does this still hold true?
Yes, it still holds true for me, and here’s why. A thank you
card or anything handwritten means more to me than any
gift or money. It shows that someone took the time to write
something to me, and time is so much more valuable than
anything else~ Billie Johnson
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