Cheryl Johnson had a sincere desire to serve and do something important. That’s what motivated her to run for elected office. In 1994 she was elected to the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) Board of rustees, working tirelessly to bring accountability to Texas school districts. In 2004 she was elected to the position of Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector, a position she still holds today.

“I was confident I could turn around the county tax office, improve delivery of services to a demanding public, and lead the fight for legislative changes that would help Texas property owners,” said Johnson, who earned an associate degree in business administration in 2000.

Johnson chose San Jacinto College for her degree because of the reputation of the college and faculty, and the variety of options available to students. A mother of young children at the time, along with being a CCISD Trustee, a flexible schedule was a must, and she says San Jacinto College offered that.

After graduation, Johnson was hired for a consulting job with the county appraisal district and developed a census data format that enabled governments to plan. She got to know those associated with the government and those affected by it, which led her to run for County Tax Assessor Collector. She says that, “Without the knowledge and skills gained at San Jac and the confidence that provided, none of those opportunities would have been possible or may have taken me much longer to achieve.”

Johnson offers advice for future #SanJacCertified graduates: “No matter where you are today or where you come from, you can do anything that you set your sights on. Believe in yourself, work hard, and know that someday you will realize your dreams.