Congratulations to Johnnie Allen Jr., one of the 2020 Mueller Award recipients. Johnnie is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health and Community Health from the School of Public Health with a minor in Gerontology. Johnnie is a first-generation college student and has reached many milestones and achievements by serving the IU and Bloomington community, by impacting students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. One of his most valued and cherished accomplishments is working in the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center as a Student Office Intern to implement programming. Some of the programs he worked with include “Black Hair Politics” and “Black and Blue” which focused on the 
experience of black police officers. He also served as a Neal Marshall Freshman Leadership Academy facilitator, a Resident Assistant, and served as an Orientation Team Leader for the Office of First Year Experience Programs in 2017. He was President of the Epsilon Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and served as co-president of the Groups Scholars Program. Johnnie will continue being a Hoosier in the Fall as a graduate student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program.
When asked to reflect on his vast support system, Johnnie said, “Thank you to my support system, all of this is possible because of them and God. My Parents Tasha Cassell and Johnnie Allen Sr., my siblings Jasmine Cassell, and Ja’Quane Cassell, my Godmother Susan Law, my fraternity brothers, my family, my friends, the Groups Scholars Program, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, and my hometown community Elkhart, IN for playing a significant role in my undergraduate experience. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” has proven to be true in my life, my village is large and I am forever grateful for their love, genuineness, and constant encouragement!”
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