In 1994, Melissa Johnson enrolled at UofL as a first-time, full-time undergraduate student. After realizing she was not ready for college and “needing to make something of herself,” she enlisted in the Air Force in 1995.

Johnson has since had a diverse career. She served her first four years in the Air Force as a surgical technician, then retrained as an orthopedic technician and served in that capacity for 13 years, before serving as a first sergeant for over three years.

As a first sergeant, she served with the Civil Engineering Squadron, the Force Support Squadron, and the Communications Squadrons at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, as well as with an Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. She currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, with Memphis, her 5-year old “fur baby.”

Hailing from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Johnson’s 27-year career has included assignments at bases in Ohio, New Mexico, Florida, Texas, Nebraska, California and Utah. She has also served in Turkey and the United Kingdom and supported two humanitarian missions in Honduras. In 2020, she was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant, which by law is a rank limited to the approximately top 1% of the Air Force’s enlisted force.

Johnson’s deployments include Operations Uphold Democracy, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedoms Sentinel. She’s also earned many awards and recognitions in her Air Force career, including Squadron Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, squadron Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year of the Year, twice a Group First Sergeant of the Year, and a Wing Nursing Service Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

Johnson holds an associate’s degree in Applied Science in Surgical Service Technology from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor of science in Finance and Management from Park University, and a master of Art in Procurement and Acquisitions from Webster University. 

When she retires, she wants to work with veterans, ideally with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This goal led her to begin exploring online graduate Health Administration programs.

“I was aware UofL is a Military Friendly Gold Designated school, which is important to me,” she said. 

Although having just begun the M.S. HA program in fall 2022, Johnson said the program was the right fit for her, adding that she “felt welcomed” here. 

September 18 marks the 75^th birthday of the U.S. Air Force.

UofL’s fully online programs were recognized as some of the top online education for students in the following categories:

• Online bachelor’s
• Online graduate education (specialty ranking of 22 for veterans)
• Online criminal justice (specialty ranking of 12 for veterans)
• Online bachelor’s psychology
• Online engineering
• Online computer information technology

Since 2000, UofL has been offering online degrees and has grown to over 50 online programs and certificates.

“Our students are attracted to our online programs because the online delivery mode allows students access to education in a way that on-campus programs cannot for adults who are often working and raising families,” said Kristen Brown, interim associate provost for Online Learning and Technology. “Our online programs allow part-time enrollment and most are fully asynchronous.”

With fully asynchronous programs available, online students are granted the flexibility to successfully achieve their degree on their own time. UofL’s online programs build a community of care when it comes to adult learners, working professionals, active military, and veterans seeking and succeeding in higher education.

This year, UofL adds two new rankings:

• Online MBA programs (specialty ranking of 29 for veterans)
• Online bachelor’s business (specialty ranking of 38 for veterans)

Hailing from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Sannely has been in the Air Force since 2018 and is currently stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Despite her short time in the Air Force, she already boasts an extensive list of accomplishments including honor graduate from Basic Training, promotion to airman Below-the-Zone and promotion to senior airman six months early.

She was also awarded a Diamond Sharp Award, as well as an Achievement Award for her performance during her installation’s COVID-19 response. Sannely says her favorite Air Force memory so far is the day she graduated basic training when she saw her family and was able to “eat candy and fast food after two months.”

When searching for an online Master of Social Work program, Sannely was looking for a program which was flexible about practicum placement for overseas military members. This search led her to UofL and she knew this was the right place for her when she found out UofL offers a reduced tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for Active Duty, Coast Guard and qualifying members of the National Guard and Reserve for undergraduate and most graduate programs.

According to Sannely, UofL was easy to work with and provided excellent support throughout her enrollment process. In particular, Sannely said Connie Uzzell, admissions coordinator in the Kent School of Social Work, was extremely helpful during the admission process.

While she has only recently started coursework, Sannely said she is also impressed by her professors’ and advisors’ flexibility and understanding. She says her classmates seem genuinely motivated to help make the world a little better.

When she completes her Master’s program, Sannely intends to remain in the Air Force and pursue a commission and career as a Clinical Social Worker.

UofL celebrates the 73^rd birthday of the United States Air Force on September 18. The university has a long tradition of supporting the United States Air Force. Between 1947 and today, hundreds of members of the United States Air Force pursued voluntary education and completed degrees at UofL. Since 1949, UofL has been home to a United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Command Detachment, which has sent hundreds of Second Lieutenants into the Air Force.

Our AFROTC Detachment and United States Army Reserve Officer Training Command Battalion are housed in Dougherty Hall. The hall is named in honor of retired United States Air Force General Russell E. Dougherty, the former commander-in-chief of United States Strategic Air Command and a 1948 University of Louisville Law School graduate.

Story written by Kyle Hurwitz, director of Military Initiatives and associate director of Online Military Student Programs at UofL.