If what you are doing doesn't benefit someone else you shouldn't do it, is the motto of Johnnie Myers
"You have to leave shoulders for someone else to stand on, otherwise what has your life been worth," said Myers, associate professor of criminal justice at Savannah State University and director of AIDS peer education program called "Get in the Know".
Before Myers put SSU in the know, she taught for 16 years at another infamous HBCU-Morris Brown College.
"Morris Brown College is the only HBCU that was founded in the state by African Americans for African Americans, all the other HBCU's were founded by other groups for African Americans," said Myers with a tint of nostalgia in her voice.
However, her partnership with the school came to an end - leaving Myers temporally out of work. Needless to say, Myers was shocked.
According to Myers, Morris Brown College lost its accreditation because of academic challenges.
"When they lost their accreditation they had to lay off a lot of people," said Myers.
Nevertheless, she took a proactive approach and began looking for a job immediately.Being a seasoned educator and the department chair of criminal justice at Morris Brown, Myers had no problem finding employment immediately.
"I was very blessed to have a job right away. I was only out for the summer," Myers said.
According to her, SSU had a job opening that had become available. Once aware of the position, Myers began researching the university.
"SSU is the first public HBCU in the state of Georgia," said Myers knowingly.
In addition, Myers investigated what the school was doing in the field of criminal justice and decided she would love to become part of the SSU faculty.
At the time of her arrival, SSU had limited co-ops and internships to offer students. Myers sought to do her part to change that once she arrived in August 2003.
"I thought I could make a contribution to Savannah State in that area. I would help it grow [Savannah State University], and it would help me grow," said Myers.
Once at the school, the adjustment was easy and the student body resembled previous schools she was employed at.
"I found that the students [here] were pretty much the same at other universities-if you have high expectations of them they will rise to the expectation," Myers said as matter-of-factly as telling the time.
Now Myers has an even greater expectation for her students-becoming aware of the risks of having unprotected sex and spreading the word-also known as each one teach one.
Niara Boyd-Watkins, an AIDS peer educator and a student of Myers, knows first hand about Myers' expectations.
"She doesn't except anything but your very best," said Watkins.
According to Watkins, Myers made an announcement in class, putting the word out she was looking for new peer educators.
Watkins decided to join the fight with Myers in spreading the "know."
According to Myers, the statistics about AIDS alarmed her enough become outraged and ask questions-lots of them.
