糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate Earns Prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award
Ginger Johnson, a May graduate of the Master of Social Work program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Love of Learning Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation鈥檚 oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.
Johnson, a native of Joplin, Missouri, who now lives in Eureka Springs and works as a mental health counselor with Chenal Family Therapy, is one of only 155 recipients nationwide and one of two from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to receive the $1,000 award this year. The Love of Learning Award supports post-baccalaureate professional development, including advanced studies, research, continuing education, and career training.
For Johnson, the award will help fund training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a specialized therapy used to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. The six-day course in Fort Smith, Arkansas, will also help her build skills in a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
鈥淚 am so appreciative of this award,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淓ven though I鈥檝e completed my degree, continuing education is essential for therapists. There are dozens of therapy modalities beyond what we learn in graduate school, and many of them cost thousands of dollars to train and become certified in. This award helps make that training possible.鈥�
Johnson鈥檚 passion for helping others guides her work as a therapist, where she primarily serves children and families in the local school district. While 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock provided her with a strong foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she said expanding her skill set through additional certifications is key to providing the best possible care for her patients.
鈥淎 therapist needs to be able to do at least a few modalities well and be familiar with many,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his training will give me another important tool to help my clients heal and thrive.鈥�
Johnson was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2024 at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. She said the award comes at a pivotal time in her career.
鈥淚鈥檓 still building my caseload and working toward a full-time income, so I鈥檓 having to pinch pennies,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his support truly comes at the right moment, and I鈥檓 deeply grateful.鈥�
Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi鈥檚 award programs have recognized members and students for outstanding academic achievement and professional potential. Each year, the organization distributes more than $1 million through awards and grants that benefit nearly 400 individuals.