2018 Tillman Scholar
Laura Johnson
Air Force
University of West Florida
Ed.D.
“When we leave our military careers….we don’t stop serving. It’s in our core to continue to help others, so why not keep serving our communities, neighborhoods, or anyone in need?”
Laura enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for four years as a security police officer. She then received a ROTC “Bootstrap” scholarship, which led to a commission in the intelligence career field.
Her service took her to various locations, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Korea. During her assignments, Laura observed significant disparities in educational access and quality, prompting her interest in the intersection of education, employment, and empowerment in marginalized communities. This focus became the central theme of her doctoral studies.
Laura is currently works as an analyst at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) near the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In her role, she facilitates engagements with international partners and allies to advance these principles globally.
