My Doctoral Journey

Greetings! My name is Jamaal Johnson, and I am an Educational Technology Leadership doctoral student at New Jersey City University/Kean Jersey City, where I am a member of Cohort 12. I currently serve as the School Counselor, Industry Engagement Officer, HIB Specialist, and Test Coordinator at STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges in the Orange Township Public School District. Prior to this role, I worked with the Federal TRIO College Preparatory Incentive Program, supporting first-generation and underserved students in achieving their college aspirations. My higher education experience also includes admissions and registrar positions at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where I served the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Rutgers University–Newark and a Master of Arts in Mental Health and School Counseling from New Jersey City University. During my graduate studies, I served on the Executive Board of Chi Sigma Iota, the international counseling honor society. During my doctoral studies, I was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in recognition of my academic achievement and commitment to excellence in education. My research focuses on high school counselors' perceptions of digital social-emotional learning (SEL) tools and counseling technologies, with particular attention to equity, access, and student support within comprehensive school counseling programs. I was honored to be named the 2025–2026 Educational Services Professional of the Year for STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges. I remain actively engaged in the counseling profession as a member of the Essex County School Counselor Association and the New Jersey School Counselor Association while continuing to advocate for equitable college, career, academic, and social-emotional outcomes for all students.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”’  - Jay-Z