GSEP Alum Dr. Sevet Johnson Speaks At Psychology Commencement
On Apr 20, 2024 Pepperdine GSEP held its Psychology Commencement Ceremony. With 780 graduates and 11,500 attendees, it was the largest ceremony in GSEP’s history.
We were honored to have GSEP Alum and this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Dr. Sevet Johnson ‘04, speak to our graduates.
Dr. Sevet Johnson is the county executive officer of Ventura County, California, a position she has held for two years following her service as interim county officer. In this role she oversees a budget of nearly $3 million and has managed $164 million of American Rescue Plan funding. Leading more than 10,000 employees across 27 departments, Dr. Johnson is responsible for ensuring the well-being of her constituents in matters of public safety, environmental concerns, and health systems.
Prior to serving in these capacities, Dr. Johnson worked in several roles at the Ventura County Health Care Agency. Beginning as a clinic administrator and senior psychologist, she concluded her tenure as behavioral health director and chief deputy director of the agency as a whole. During her time at the healthcare agency, she hired, trained, and supervised clinical staff and oversaw the enforcement of quality assurance procedures.
Dr. Johnson has taught psychology as an adjunct professor at both the University of Phoenix and California Lutheran University. In 2023 she was named among the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times. She is a past recipient of the Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of California Central Coast and in 2022 was honored with the Pioneer Award from the Ventura County chapter of the NAACP.
Sevet Johnson received her bachelor of arts in English and literature from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2001. She earned a master of arts in marriage and family therapy from the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology in 2004 and in 2009 completed her doctor of psychology at Alliant International University.
We thank Dr. Johnson for speaking to our graduates as they enter the working world of psychology.