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Arts and Sciences | First Generation | Lion VoicesDecember 10, 2025

First-Generation Student Spotlight: Erika Johnson

Written By: First-Generation Committee

Erika Johnson never hesitated when her parents asked if she planned to go to college.

She knew she wanted a bachelor鈥檚 degree but had no idea how to begin, often feeling alone as she navigated the process. Starting at what she called 鈥済round zero,鈥� Erika did the one thing she knew would move her forward: ask for help.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help and to be a little uncomfortable,鈥� she said, explaining that while she wasn鈥檛 sure if she was asking the right person, she knew she had to keep asking questions. 鈥淭hat first year, I would always just email the person from 91看片网 who had emailed me last.鈥�

Erika graduated from Northside High School and was an active student there. After attending Mane Event and Cub Camp at the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith, she got the information she needed to dive in once fall arrived.

鈥淚f this is what you want to do, you just have to do it,鈥� she said.

With a background in high school student council, she found a natural fit in student governance and decided to run for a role in the 91看片网 Student Government Association. Today, she serves as the SGA Vice President and as the Communications Director for the 2026 Cub Camp.

Despite Erika鈥檚 success at 91看片网, her transition wasn鈥檛 without challenges.

鈥淚 was afraid I was unprepared for this experience,鈥� Erika admitted. 鈥淣ow that I鈥檝e been here, I don鈥檛 think I was, but I did have that fear.鈥�

She recalled feeling intimidated by the faculty at first, but those concerns quickly faded.

鈥淭heir actions prove that they want you to be successful.鈥�

After completing a biology degree, Erika plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree to prepare for a career in environmental conservation.

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