This is the sixth entry in our Class of 2025 series.
Southeast Arkansas College presented 420 degrees and certificates to 170 graduates during the 2024-25 school year Friday morning. Lakisha Johnson of Pine Bluff received five of them.
Johnson received her associate of general studies and associate of applied science degrees along with certificates of general studies, computer programming, and security and forensics. Those awards added to an already lengthy academic resume for Johnson, a Navy veteran who graduated from Dollarway High School in 2000.
Even while first working in information technology in the Navy, Johnson dreamed of a medical career.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“I wanted to be a pediatrician when I grew up,” Johnson said. “So, I said I’ve got to get a biology degree, then I was going to go into medical school, and after I had my kids, life was happening.”
The mother of a 13-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, Johnson received a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2019, adding to her IT degree from the Navy.
“When I was in the military, I did IT. That was my job,” Johnson said. “It was hardly no (medical) lab jobs here that would hire me, so I felt, let’s go ahead and go back to IT. At least I know I’m going to get hired. I applied for a couple of jobs. We’re going to pray that one of them finally calls me.”
Johnson has also applied to Southern New Hampshire University and Arkansas State University to continue her cybersecurity education.
Johnson is among the first class of graduates under Tyrone Jackson’s presidency at SEARK. This was the second year graduates from the previous winter term joined with spring finishers for commencement at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Eddie Thomas, director of Office of Employment & Training for the Arkansas Department of Commerce’s Arkansas Workforce Connections, gave the keynote address. Thomas convinced the class that every day and every design has a plan with them in mind.
“As you journey to your next chapter, do it with confidence, whether it be with an advanced degree or going into the workforce,” Thomas said. “Do it with confidence and assurance that you’re one step closer to your dream. On that new job, walk into the breakroom like you’ve been there before. On that campus … drive into campus like you’ve got a reserved spot.”
The next campus for Tobias Prall will be his next stop in his basketball career.
Prall, of Trenton, N.J., arrived at SEARK in 2023 from another college in Pennsylvania as one of SEARK’s first basketball players. SEARK began competing in basketball this school year, earning a top-25 national ranking and making the NJCAA Division II Region 2 tournament.
“It was really a grind,” he said. “I wanted to come out here and prove myself and show that I could hoop. Last year, we had a whole year off, so we got better. This year, I wanted to show how hungry I was. I did what I did, played my game.”
Prall finished as the second-leading scorer on the team with 17.6 points and now has an associate’s degree in general studies with plans to go into psychology. He’s choosing between Grambling State University and Henderson State University to continue his basketball journey.
“Now that I got my degree, I’ve been kind of waiting to make my decision,” he said. “This is the most important thing for me, getting my degree.”
Nine Watson Chapel High School graduates also received concurrent credit along with their degrees and certificates from SEARK: Ka’nysha Battles, Zakyah Dodds, Destiny Hines, Mar’Yana Mallett, Ayana Moutry, JaNiyah Mitchell, Amir Mitchell, Kenya Ruth and Ari Simmons.
