Why We Exist

For many students, particularly those from underrepresented and under-resourced communities, the path to higher education can be daunting. The challenges are real: academic hurdles, financial strain, and a lack of direction can make the journey seem overwhelming. At OnPurpose, we recognize these obstacles and work tirelessly to help students overcome them. We offer personalized guidance, resources, and strategies that foster academic success, degree attainment, and personal growth.

Our Approach

Empowerment: Providing students with tools and strategies to navigate academic and personal challenges.

Accessibility: Offering resources that make higher education opportunities available to students from all backgrounds.

Support: Walking alongside students every step of the way, from orientation to graduation, with customized advising and mentorship.

Transformation: Believing that by helping students succeed, we can help communities thrive through education.

Our Founders

Dr. Ernest Johnson, Jr.

President-Co-Founder, OnPurpose Education Consulting Services

Dr. Ernest Johnson, Jr. is a passionate advocate for education and academic achievement, with a deep personal connection to the power of higher education. As the oldest of four siblings in a family of educators, Dr. Johnson was raised in an environment that placed a high value on learning and personal growth. His parents, both accomplished educators with master’s degrees and doctoral studies in Biblical Counseling, instilled in him a dedication to academic excellence and a commitment to serving others. Foremost, Dr. Johnson contributes his overall success to having a personal relationship with God.

Dr. Johnson comes from a family of high achievers: one brother has earned a doctorate degree, and two brothers hold bachelor’s degrees. This tradition of educational accomplishments has extended to his own family. Together with his wife, Dr. Tricia Johnson, have raised four sons—two of whom have earned bachelor’s degrees, one who has honorably served in the military, and one who is a certified TSA worker.

With a lifetime of personal and professional experience in education, Dr. Johnson brings a unique blend of knowledge, strategic thinking, leadership, and passion to OnPurpose Education Consulting Services. He is deeply committed to helping students, particularly those from under-resourced and underrepresented communities, overcome obstacles and achieve their academic goals. Through his work, he continues to carry forward his family’s legacy of empowering individuals through education and service.

Dr. Tricia Johnson

CEO - Founder, OnPurpose Education Consulting Services

As a first-generation graduate school student, Dr. Tricia Johnson, knows firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with navigating higher education without a roadmap. God orchestrated her destiny and placed a host of mentors and role models along the way to help her navigate this journey. Reflecting on her past, her mother was instrumental in Dr. Tricia’s development. She was elated to see her mother’s determination and resilience. After her mother initially drop out of high school, she made the courageous decision to complete her education, earning her GED while Dr. Tricia was in middle school. Her mother’s journey continued as she obtained her CNA nursing certificate, showing that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

Dr. Tricia also experienced a foundation of entrepreneurship displayed since childhood by her stepfather, who was a lifelong entrepreneur and shipyard foreman supervisor. God used many people who shaped her work ethic, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, Dr. Tricia grew up in a family where siblings also achieved success in various fields—one sibling earned a nursing degree, while others pursued certification programs.

Drawing from her own experiences as a first-generation graduate student and her personal relationship with God, Dr. Tricia founded OnPurpose Education Consulting Services with a mission to support students from all backgrounds. She is particularly passionate about helping first-generation and underrepresented students navigate the complexities of higher education and succeed against the odds. Although this is not designated as a Faith-based business, Dr. Tricia’s Faith has been the foundational base for her success! She knows that it is God who is effectively at work in her, creating in her the longing and the ability to fulfill her purpose for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13AMP. Through OnPurpose, she aims to provide the resources, guidance, and encouragement that students need to transform their lives and their communities through education.