Clinician, Counseling Center
Justin Johns
In order for students to reach their full academic potential, it is important that they are healthy –body and mind. That is why the work that Justin Johns does is so imperative for our campus community, as well as Springfield.
Graduating from Missouri State University with his Masters in Social Work, Justin knows how important it is to provide students with a supportive environment and offer them resources to help with any issues they may be facing. The area of service that Justin is most passionate about is addiction recovery services. In 2014, assisted in writing a grant proposal to Transforming Youth Recovery to provide funding for the Collegiate Recovery Program. This program is dedicated to assisting students as they live a life in recovery. Justin is still heavily involved with this program by organizing events, volunteers, etc.
This program also provides students many opportunities to get involved with the community such as repainting playground equipment for Springfield Public Schools. The Collegiate Recovery Program also partners with Better Life In Recovery (BLIR), a community organization that strives to give hope and foster dignity for those who live with substance use and other mental health issues. Justin recently became a BLIR board member.
Justin also serves as a board member for the Facing Addiction Pilot Program, a national program working to de-stigmatize addiction and the recovery process and partners with the Missouri Mental Health Network on various projects. One of his biggest projects is planning the 2019 MSU Addiction and Recovery Summit. This free of charge event is open to students, faculty and staff who wish to learn more about addiction and recovery and what we can do to help those in need. Justin is constantly engaging with his community to better the lives of those who live here, and displays ethical leadership and cultural competence in doing so. Congratulations Justin!