Before practices start and classes begin at Skyline College, Erin Johnson is often already in action, guiding student athletes toward their goals. Johnson is the San Mateo County Community College District’s only academic counselor dedicated to athletics. 

Johnson graduated with a bachelors in psychology from the University of California, Davis, where she started working as a student advisor. At first Johnson worked at San Jose State University and San Francisco State University, and only did academic advising.

“I fell in love with the puzzle of helping students get to graduation,” Johnson said.

She came to Skyline as a dedicated student athlete counselor; Johnson said it was a perfect balance of counseling and sports, both being important throughout her life. 

“This role seemed like a great combination of athletics and counseling,” Johnson said. “Athletics was something I was always involved in as a kid.”

Before Johnson’s role existed, general counselors handled student athletes without a specific cohort. At Skyline, over 200 student athletes fall onto her case load; she helps these athletes create educational plans and prepares them for graduation. 

“She is always there to support me with what class I need to take and what’s going to get me to pursue my career aside from soccer,” sophomore Skyline soccer player Juan Contreras said.  

Johnson is also a part of the Promise Scholar counselor team at Skyline; she takes on many of the student athletes who qualify for Promise to avoid confusing other counselors. 

“ I still follow all the same rules as other students who aren’t student athletes,” Contreras said. “I meet with her at least twice a semester and attend Promise Event Opportunities.” 

Student athletes who don’t fall under specific cohorts don’t have to meet with Johnson, but she said she wants to meet at least once a semester.

Johnson’s office in Building 3 is close to student athletes, meaning players can come and pop in before or after practice. 

Although Johnson doesn’t have to meet with coaches, she said it is crucial in assisting the players, working with them to keep up with practice and game times, as well as preventing schedule conflicts. 

“I am very grateful for the coaches,” Johnson said. “They have really helped me grow into this role a lot,”