Supporting Student Success Through Industry Mentorship

Sharlotte “Shay” Johnson, Senior Transfer Coordinator, Dallas College

“1st Agreement- Be impeccable with your word.” – The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz A brain cancer survivor and woman who’s faced deep personal loss over the course of 3 years, Shay brings grit, grace, and vision to every space she enters. Since 2022, Shay has had the awesome privilege of serving as a Career and Transfer Skills Development Specialist at Dallas College and recently assumed the role as Senior Transfer Coordinator. She’s served over 2 decades in education while building multiple successful businesses in public relations and event management, real estate, and financial services. Shay has enjoyed a successful career at all levels in education and earned her M.Ed. at Texas A&M Commerce (now East Texas A&M University). Shay is also licensed in real estate, Life Insurance, Higher Education Leadership, Mid-manager Leadership, and more. As an advocate for students and the education sector, Shay has strategically aligned with businesses, staff, and academics to bridge gaps and bring impact to those students who seek to use education as a barrier buster, and to even the playing field. As CEO of Opulent PREM®, Shay helps clients transform their presence into power through strategic branding and communications. Her work is rooted in service, shaped by resilience, and driven by a passion for educating, empowering, and elevating others.

Valerie Little, Career and Transfer Skills Development Specialist, Dallas College

Valerie Little is a visionary strategist, servant leader, and lifelong learner with more than 18 years of experience in higher education. She serves on the Career and Transfer team at Dallas College, where she translates strategic goals into measurable student outcomes through innovative programming, classroom instruction, and end to end project management designed to remove barriers and scale impact. In 2011, she founded Soar 2 Higher Heights Academy to channel her passion for learning and personal growth into helping others reach their highest potential. What began as a student development initiative has expanded into a comprehensive suite of student and professional development, coaching, and consulting services. Through this work, she equips servant leaders with tools to elevate their practice and create lasting, global impact. Valerie holds an MBA in Project Management and Nonprofit Leadership and is pursuing a doctorate in Education and Behavioral Studies, specializing in Educational Psychology.