{"id":3722,"date":"2023-08-03T11:54:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T15:54:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3722"},"modified":"2026-02-01T14:40:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T19:40:30","slug":"cover-cydney-johnson-following-in-fathers-footsteps-namesake-champions-youth-education-in-syracuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3722","title":{"rendered":"Cover – Cydney Johnson: Following in Father\u2019s Footsteps, Namesake Champions Youth, Education in Syracuse"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Cheryl Abrams<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

First and\/or middle names can be familial or historical, reflecting one\u2019s identity and place in the world. A given name can be deeply personal and help shape a child\u2019s profound sense of self and belonging.
\nSo imagine a young girl growing up perplexed that friends – even teachers – called her \u201cCindy,\u201d while family members used her given name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, make no mistake about it: \u201cCindy\u201d is but a faint memory in the life of one of Syracuse\u2019s most dedicated and accomplished champions. Named after her highly regarded father, she was raised and educated in the city she still calls home and to which she dedicates her life\u2019s work.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Cindy to Cydney<\/b>
\n\u2018She\u2019 is Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations at Syracuse University. While she now chuckles about her childhood moniker, Cydney has grown proud over the years of not merely her name, but of both her namesake, father Sidney Johnson, a long-time educator and former superintendent of the Syracuse City School District (SCSD), and beloved mother, Vivienne Jean Johnson, for their leadership in supporting youth and families in the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parental Role Models<\/b>
\nHer parents served as role models for Cydney and her older sister, Melinda Jean. Sidney and Vivienne placed a high premium on service and education. Cydney\u2019s father served in the military with the historic Tuskegee Airmen for more than two decades. He earned the rank of Major before retirement, an almost insurmountable challenge during the days of segregation, as well as a testament to his performance in service to our country.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Syracuse University alum and historic figure for the Syracuse City School District, Sidney L. Johnson \u201959, G\u201965, was recently added to the list of the University\u2019s Notable Veteran Alumni. \u201cLike most military families, we were not originally from the area. Syracuse adopted us, and both my parents loved serving this community,\u201d says Cydney. Her father first served as the SCSD Superintendent and was subsequently elected to the Syracuse Common Council, followed by the Syracuse Board of Education. The family lived in Syracuse neighborhoods and the girls attended city schools, graduating from Nottingham High.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cydney is right at home on the S.U. campus, having earned her undergraduate degree and MBA from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. She also spent seven years as an adjunct professor in the College of Human Development.<\/span><\/p>\n


\nAlumna to Employee<\/b>
\nReporting to Vice Chancellor J. Michael Haynie, Cydney joined Syracuse University as executive director for state and local government relations in the spring of 2018. She also leads the community engagement team as it helps to advance the university\u2019s robust portfolio of community initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cydney\u2019s more than two decades of experience in government relations, higher education and nonprofit\/business development serve her well in her role at S.U. and in the community. She is a member of the Central New York Regional Development and Planning board; a board member of the Syracuse Partnership Council with the Syracuse City School District; a board member of Syracuse Stage; and a board member of Blueprint15. Previously, she served on the boards of the Central NY Community Foundation and the Women\u2019s Fund.<\/span><\/p>\n

Syracuse University leadership is, according to Cydney, \u201ca big believer in presenting the external face of the University to the community\u201d in academic and non-academic ways. She says that Chancellor Kent Syverud, Vice Chancellor Haynie and many others in the S.U. community are committed to educating their neighbors by providing life-enriching yet sustainable programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

University Service in the Community<\/b>
\nThis service component is what drew Cydney to her role at S.U. \u201cWhat I am privileged to do every day at the University is an extension of my parents\u2019 belief in providing meaningful situations, especially through education, to enhance lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While her father was from down south – Summerville, Georgia, – and her mother from up north, both had grown up with a \u201csensitivity to being denied material things and life experiences,\u201d explains Cydney. \u201cThat\u2019s why finding and creating opportunities for young people was so important to their mission in life – and why it\u2019s rewarding for me now to carry on their purpose through the University\u2019s programs for students in our area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The generosity of local organizations and individual donors make three summer programs available: Summer College, open to suburban high school students and SCSD students; the Internship Program for city high school students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program; and the Job Shadowing Program, for SCSD high schoolers enrolled at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Syracuse Schools, University Partnership<\/b>
\nSCSD Superintendent Anthony Davis applauds the partnership between the city school district and the University. \u201cWe are truly grateful to the Syracuse University community for its steadfast support of our SCSD students. Our students enjoy countless opportunities and experiences in partnership with the University that benefit them in so many ways,\u201d he said. \u201cThese experiences help our students become more confident in their abilities and of the career paths they hope to pursue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Cydney\u2019s interactions with the Syracuse City School District have expanded, she often reflects on how fortunate she was to have Vivienne and Sidney Johnson as her parents. \u201cI am so pleased to have the opportunity through Syracuse University to help make a difference in a young person\u2019s life, the way my parents did for me,\u201d she says. \u201cThe SCSD students are our future, and we owe it to them to offer mentorship and guidance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Legacy for a Namesake<\/b>
\nCydney is proud of her father\u2019s legacy in the Syracuse City schools. Named in his honor, the Sidney Johnson Vocational Center offers impactful non-traditional educational opportunities, such as adult workplace education and GED programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The well-known educator and administrator reflects on the bond she continues to share with her late father. Both are Syracuse University alumni at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and she carries on his educational mission in the Syracuse community. Cydney also bears his name – forgetting how long ago she was known as \u201cCindy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Leadership and Life: Lessons from My Mother<\/b>
\nAsked about her personal leadership style or philosophy, Cydney Johnson doesn\u2019t invoke the latest so-called gurus or trends. Instead, she grows quiet and thoughtful. After some time, she names three women she admires: Candace Campbell Jackson, senior vice president and chief of staff to Chancellor Kent Syverud at Syracuse University; Anna Mae Williams, a community activist from Syracuse\u2019s westside; and Kristina Johnson (no relation), former SUNY Chancellor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Cydney begins to laugh and shares a story about her first job in retail at a large department store in Philadelphia, where she learned an important lesson about not judging others. Her position was in Foundations (women\u2019s undergarments), working for manager Eva McCoy. \u201cI figured they\u2019d assigned me there because I was new and hers was a sleeper department,\u201d says Cydney.<\/span><\/p>\n

The grandmother figure, Eva, was in fact, the store\u2019s leading buyer with the consistently highest sales performance record. Not only was Eva an exceptional professional achiever, but she was also compassionate. \u201cShe knew I was away from home at the holidays and allowed me to be off work to be with my family on the day after Thanksgiving, the busiest shopping day of the year,\u201d Cydney recalls. \u201cWhen I protested, she insisted I be with my parents. I\u2019ll never forget her kindness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, with a soft voice and smile, Cydney added that she was most influenced by her mother. While she wouldn\u2019t call them leadership skills in today\u2019s terms, Cydney referred to her mom\u2019s words and deeds as life lessons:<\/span><\/p>\n

Practice humility<\/b>, saying to tell yourself, \u201cI\u2019m not so special.\u201d
\nBe respectful<\/b> of all people. Listen.
\nPractice gratitude<\/b>: appreciate what you have.
\nTry to be patient<\/b>: with yourself, with others, with situations.
\nBe persistent<\/b>, but be nice while doing so.
\nTake time out to enjoy life<\/b> through relationships and hobbies. (Cydney enjoys gardening, feeling working with the soil and cultivating growth is very rewarding.)
\nKeep learning.<\/b> Cydney\u2019s mother took up learning to play the guitar when she was 82 and continued until she passed away at 90. Cydney has followed in her footsteps, taking weekly lessons. She feels learning a new skill helps with creativity and patience.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Cheryl Abrams First and\/or middle names can be familial or historical, reflecting one\u2019s identity and place in the world. A given name can be deeply personal and help shape a child\u2019s profound sense of self and belonging. So imagine a young girl growing up perplexed that friends – even teachers – called her \u201cCindy,\u201d…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1473,1472,1240,1474,215],"class_list":["post-3722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-feature","tag-august-2023","tag-cydney-johnson","tag-education","tag-programs","tag-syracuse-university"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Cydney-Johnson-and-Mom-Vivienne-Johnson-with-Moms-Life-Lessons.jpg?fit=480%2C640&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1970,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1970","url_meta":{"origin":3722,"position":0},"title":"Cindy Ormond","author":"Staff","date":"August 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Celebrating Love\u00a0 By Rachel Foster | Photography by Alice G. 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