The cost of college is rising. No one knows that better than Johnathan Morton. He started at a four-year university, but as the bills mounted, Morton said his focus switched from academics to finances.
“When I first started, (I had trouble) getting my head around the academics and just how fast the program was going,” he said. “But when I got my head around the academics, the financial part became a bit difficult.”
That challenge led him to Anne Arundel Community College.
In hindsight, the graphic design student feels he should have started at community college, but he was afraid of missing the “college experience.” Yet once he began to look — thanks to the help of friend and student board member Keshawn Johnson — he found possibilities everywhere.
“There's so many opportunities that are just sitting there,” he said.
He also found support through the Black Male Institute (BMI) and Kenneth Gilliard, Student Achievement and Success Program manager for Cross-Cultural Student Services. The BMI builds community and assists with the navigation of collegiate experiences through an empowered Black male perspective.
“That community is so tightly woven,” Morton said. “It feels like I belong there.”
Gilliard took notice of Morton’s determination and nominated him for the Student Achievement and Success Program Character Award.
“Johnathan's journey at AACC reflects the transformative power of engagement, persistence and community,” Gilliard said. “He consistently challenged himself to grow as a student, leader and individual, while also encouraging others to do the same.”
Even during the award ceremony, Morton continued networking.
“It was just a night of amazing connections, and I just kept connecting with people on LinkedIn,” he said.
Those connections have been helping him grow his business, NTRVL apparel.
"Eventually, I want to have NTRVL Apparel, NTRVL Design and then NTRVL Architects,” he said.
This year, Morton will transfer to the University of Maryland for architecture and graphic design, with an eye on expanding his brand. His journey hasn’t been what he expected, but he has proven the path to success doesn’t have to be linear.
“What makes Johnathan special is not just what he accomplished, but the character, humility and determination he displayed along the way,” Gilliard said. “He truly embodies the spirit of student success."