Testimonials
Academic Challenges

My family has benefited greatly from the services we have received from a Life Coach. Both of our children are talented, but matured at perhaps a different pace than some in their cohort and took a longer time to become passionate about an area of studies and then about starting a fulfilling career. We were very fortunate that their hesitant starts to their academic career brought us in contact with Paul Johnston.
 
Paul was the Senior Associate Dean of Students at Colby College in 2010 when both of our children were dismissed for failure to make adequate progress toward graduation. I was the parent who received both phone calls from Paul with the seemingly devastating news on successive days. Paul was very encouraging to our children regarding their path to readmission, but also quite firm with a specific road map that each child would have to follow in order to return to Colby. He was also very helpful to me and my wife as we dealt with the difficulty of guiding two children back to the path we felt was best for them. Happily, I can report that both children did finish their work at Colby where they received their degrees. One of our children subsequently had a tough time getting going on a fulfilling career until we engaged the services of a Life Coach. This coach was critical in helping our child begin a career that has made her busy, engaged, and happy. Sometimes, the message that has to be received is better sent by someone other than a parent.
 
I would wholeheartedly recommend that any parent who feels their child is having trouble "finding their passion" as Paul would say, consider the services of a third party Life Coach generally, and the services of Paul Johnston specifically. He has the experience, sensitivity, and firmness to help your child find the right path and to help you keep your sanity.
 
Remi B.
Manchester, MA
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Paul and I met when his title was Senior Associate Dean of Students at Colby College. I was doing poorly all around; depression had my determination at a horrible low, and I was truly struggling both academically and emotionally. I was to take a break from Colby, and this was a significant and dramatic change for not only me but also for my parents. Dean Johnston and I met on multiple occasions, one-on-one as well as with my parents. Paul made the situation as painless as possible, and acted as a wonderful advisor and Dean amidst a somewhat unpleasant situation. Paul had a significant impact on my final semester at Colby, and even though the terms were not the best, Paul and my relationship was an entirely positive one.
 
Paul is wonderfully understanding and compassionate, and that shows through in all that he accomplishes in his work. He paid such close attention to my specific needs as a student at his college, and that was so greatly appreciated in a difficult time and situation. My decision, ultimately, to not return to Colby was a good decision, and while Paul had no influence in that decision, he helped me get to a place where I felt confident and comfortable taking a big step and making a huge change.
 
I had the opportunity to get significant work experience in my field of interest as well as ample time to travel and do volunteer work abroad. I do not regret my decision to leave Colby, and Paul was nothing but helpful and understanding throughout that difficult time. I am incredibly thankful to Paul and know that he will do great things and help many more people as he helped me.
 
Katelyn E.
Santa Monica, CA

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Medical Concerns

Several years ago, while my daughter was in her sophomore year at Colby College in Maine, she sustained a major concussion that resulted in significant post-concussive symptoms. While most people who suffer concussions recover completely within a few weeks, a certain percentage do not and have symptoms that persist over an extended period of time -- unfortunately, my daughter was in the latter category.
 
On the other hand, fortunately, her Dean of Students was Paul Johnston, who was unwavering and relentless in his support of her. With extraordinary empathy and understanding, he assisted and guided her through the next two and a half years while her symptoms gradually remitted until she graduated in the top third of her class. Today, she leads a very full life as a successful and well-respected teacher, swim and soccer coach, trip leader, runner, and healthy and sustainable food advocate. I am so grateful for the guidance and encouragement provided to her by Dean Johnston that enabled her to become the successful and happy individual she is today. Without his assistance, I am not sure where she would be today.
 
Richard L., M.D.
Byram, NJ

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I first met Dean Paul Johnston during my sophomore year at Colby College, after sustaining a head injury. Immediately following my accident, Dean Johnston became an extremely valuable ally and advocate. He helped coordinate a temporary medical leave of absence with my professors, ensuring that I would not need to worry about losing the grades or credits that I had worked so hard to earn up until that point in the semester. Dean Johnston checked in regularly with me while I was away from school, and once my period of leave was up, he helped my family make the important decision about when I should return to school. Although at that point I could not handle a full course load, I was advised by my doctors to return slowly to some of my previous responsibilities and activities. Dean Johnston worked with me so that I could return to school that next semester. He helped me find a less-taxing schedule that fit and advanced my academic interests and kept me on track to graduate. Throughout the remainder of my college career, I needed to maintain this balance - Dean Johnston never ceased helping and supporting me.

Although on a couple of occasions, I pushed myself too hard and lost the balance I needed, Dean Johnston continued to advocate for me and help me navigate this new and difficult terrain. Having worked hard to get to Colby, I was accustomed to achieving academic success, not to facing academic difficulties. He helped find solutions for me when the nagging post-concussion symptoms returned and limited my ability to handle the academic load. Although I sustained the head injury during the fall of my sophomore year, I continued to deal with post-concussion symptoms until a year after graduating. Navigating most of my college career with this new set of limitations was not easy, and I often felt embarrassed about how long my recovery was taking. However, the self-doubt that I felt during that time period was never validated by Dean Johnston. Continuing to express confidence in me, and never making me feel burdensome, he insisted that together we would find a way for me to graduate -- it was extremely comforting to have such a steadfast ally. His unwavering support helped me regain my confidence, and with that, I was able to not only graduate, but to do so on time -- I walked with my friends in the spring of 2013, an achievement that Dean Johnston knew was very important for me. Since graduating, I have made a full recovery and no longer suffer from migraines or memory-loss, although I have faced new and different challenges. Dean Johnston taught me that asking for help when needed does not diminish a person, in fact asking for assistance makes a person better. Today I am very happy working as a private school teacher in Massachusetts, and know that a large part of getting to where I am today is a result of graduating from Colby, something that may not have happened without Dean Johnston’s advocacy.

Julie L.
Williamstown, MA

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I first met Dean Johnston during my sophomore year at Colby College. This was personally a very difficult time in my life, and we did not meet under the best circumstances. I was struggling not only mentally, but also physically. I had been suffering from depression and a severe eating disorder for many years, and the stress of college was really getting to me. I admit, I did some things at school that I am not proud of, and I got caught red handed. Rather than heedlessly punishing me with suspension or expulsion, Dean Johnston actually cared about the deeper issues that lay beneath my petty actions. He graciously worked with me to amend my wrongdoings as well as to get aid with my health issues. Dean Johnston helped arrange my excused leave of absence from school so that I could get inpatient counseling without falling too far behind in my classes, and he always made it clear that I could come to him whenever I was struggling or needed help with anything.
 
Dean Johnston really stood out from the other deans because he is a truly good person who seems to genuinely care about his students’ well-being. I had worked with a different dean freshman year who was familiar with my health issues, but she was nowhere near as effective with helping me as Dean Johnston was.  He never seemed to judge me for my actions, and he was very understanding about how my illness led me to do things I would normally never morally approve of.
 
For the rest of my time at Colby, it was very reassuring to know that I had some personal support in the administration. Whenever I saw Dean Johnston in passing around campus, he always made a point to stop and talk to me and see how I was doing. Without his assistance and encouragement, I may never have gone to get the treatment I needed, and who knows what would have happened to not only my education but also my physical well-being. With partial thanks to him, I successfully graduated Colby with a biology major in May 2015. I now have a steady job working at a lab and I recently moved into an apartment with a friend just outside of Boston. Who knows where I would be today without Dean Johnston’s gracious support during that dark period in my life, but I will forever be grateful to him.
 
Sarah D.
Fremont, NH

Disciplinary Matters

At the beginning of my college career, I first met Mr. Johnston as my advising dean. Unfortunately, it was for disciplinary reasons. I was uncomfortable and embarrassed, and honestly, I was set in my ways and just wanted to accept my punishment and move on with my day. Little did I know, he would have the biggest impact on my life. He first saw me as an immature and unhealthy young girl and watched me as I developed into a confident and strong young mother and wife. Our meetings together quickly went from pure discipline to guidance, encouragement, and a healthy friendship. 
 
Having supportive relationships in life cannot be underestimated. I always felt comfortable sharing my concerns with Mr. Johnston. He was a great listener and always made me feel at ease when we met together. His calm demeanor mixed with his sense of humor helped me feel safe and free of any fear when with him. He often left his door open and welcomed me back whenever I felt necessary. When I doubted myself the most, he pushed me to reach my full potential. 
 
When looking for emotional support, Mr. Johnston knows just how to make you comfortable. He listens actively and he does not make judgments or accusations. He is honest and empathetic. Mr. Johnston remains calm in all situations and works with you, not against you. He encourages you to find individual success by recognizing your weaknesses and utilizing your strengths. 
 
I consider myself blessed to have ever met Mr. Johnston and had the opportunity to work with him. He is one man that I will always admire and look up to. He believed in me, at a time when I did not believe in myself. He was consistently honest, kind, and supportive. He was actively involved in changing my life. I cannot be more grateful for the time and energy he spent believing in me and treating my almost like his own child. I respect him like no other, for being so consistent, so patient, and so kind. Nearly ten years later, here I am as a confident and strong mother and wife. We are still in contact, as great friends, and have brought our loving families together to meet, to smile, and to celebrate how beautiful life is. He is a true inspiration. 
 
Chrissy B.
Old Orchard Beach, ME

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I am writing to express my gratitude for the advice and guidance you had given me throughout my time at Colby. I was not prepared for the lessons that I would learn outside of the classroom, and it often was challenging and sometimes painful, but I am grateful for all it has taught me. I was not always as disciplined and responsible as I am now, and I owe much of that to you. I believe that it will truly make all of the difference in my life and will allow me to be the best person I can be and have always wanted to be but sometimes lacked the will to be.
 
You helped me get through some personal problems at a time when I was also struggling with some family issues; however, my time at Colby has taught me that nothing in this world is all good or all bad. Taking the time to sort out those conflicts was not a decision I could make easily on my own, but it was the best thing for me, and it may have been the best thing to ever happen to me. On my return, I was able to accomplish everything I had wanted and more with a new clarity and rejuvenated spirits. I owe my recent success to you and I am very much in your debts. Words cannot express my gratitude. Thanks again for everything, and I hope to see you at graduating ceremony.
 
Nate B.
Boston, MA