Political science graduate demonstrates outstanding community spirit
Political Science graduate Alexandra Johnson started to give back to the Concordia community soon after she began studying at the university three years ago.
“I feel that Concordia is such an amazing hub for opportunity,” she says.
Johnson recently completed her undergraduate degree with a major in political science (honours) and a minor in diversity and the contemporary world, an interdisciplinary program offered by the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability (LCDS).
The LCDS did much more for Johnson than provide her with a minor: it presented her with her first opportunity to get involved in student life, and, thus, begin to give back to the university.
Soon after starting at Concordia, Johnson became vice-president, academic, for the Loyola College International Student Association, serving for two terms.
“Because LCDS is such a small college, it was easier to get to know people and do things,” says Johnson. “This is what really gave me a taste for it all and pushed me to do more.”
Conscientious and hard-working, Johnson excelled in her courses from the very beginning. After her first year of studies, she was invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society for academic excellence.
“Its pillars are leadership, academics and community, which I thought so cool because they represent my interests,” says Johnson.
Once more, she seized an opportunity to get involved. Immediately after joining, she contacted the then-president of Concordia’s Golden Key chapter looking for ways help out, and became vice president, external.
Johnson spent last fall in Singapore as part of a Concordia International exchange program. Even during her faraway travels, she never lost touch with her Concordia associations.
“While I was in Singapore, the president of the Golden Key stepped down because she had graduated,” says Johnson. “She asked me to fill her spot, and, of course, I accepted.”
Despite the distance, Johnson kept on top of her responsibilities at Concordia.
She was next invited to apply for a place in the Garnet Key Society. After a rigorous selection process she became one of the 12 high-achieving students chosen to be part of the 54th Garnet Key. Soon after, she became vice-president of the official honour society at Concordia.
“The Garnet Key gave me a sense of tradition and opportunity,” says Johnson. “Being so involved is a constant reminder of how rewarding giving back can be, and realizing what you’re given in the first place.”
Impressively, Johnson was able to balance her many extra-curricular engagements with a job and volunteer work at The Montreal Children’s Hospital, while still managing to excel in her courses.
“Alexandra exhibits an exceedingly rare combination of moral integrity, intellectual determination, charitable spirit, and personal spark,” says Travis Smith, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, who taught Johnson.
It’s no wonder that Johnson’s academic excellence and community engagement have been recognized by faculty and staff at the university. Johnson was selected as one of the three valedictorians for the Faculty of Arts and Science. She delivered her speech at her June 18 convocation ceremony and received the Provost’s Medal for Outstanding Achievement.
Johnson is heading to Scotland in September to complete a master’s degree in science in intellectual history at the University of Edinburgh. She plans to stay involved in Concordia in some way no matter where she is or what she’s doing.
Related links:
• Read about more 2012 Great Grads in the Faculty of Arts and Science
• “Garnets Hold Keys to Success” — NOW, May 1, 2012
• Garnet Key Society
• Golden Key International Honour Society, Concordia Chapter