University Recreation Center

A legacy of everyday kindness: Johnson’s open door and heart

By Megan Khor, Student Communications Assistant for Student Affairs

Preparing to retire in December after more than a decade at UNC Charlotte, Bridget Johnson has left a lasting impression on a building that sees thousands of students each day. As the environmental services manager for University Recreation (UREC), Johnson places an emphasis on connecting with both staff and students. 

Through showing up for others and maintaining a clean, safe environment, she remains present and engaged in her day-to-day work. Whether she’s covering holiday shifts or taking a few minutes to talk with students, her impact is felt both personally and professionally throughout the University Recreation Center. 

‘No matter where you go, you’ll always make a friend.’

Johnson’s work at Charlotte began at Housing and Residence Life in 2013, where she initially felt comfortable and content in her role. Though she didn’t see herself stepping into a leadership role, Johnson’s supervisor encouraged her to take the leap when a new position at UREC opened.

Three years later, when she officially stepped into a supervisory role at UREC and Belk Gym, several colleagues from HRL were brought to tears. Not wanting to see her go, six of them ultimately chose to follow her to UREC, a testament to the relationships she’s built. 

It’s this commitment to the small, everyday moments that led Johnson to earn the 2024-2025 Outstanding Supervisor Award for Student Affairs. 

Looking back on her time at the University, Johnson reflects on the many faces and experiences that have shaped her journey. 

Johnson’s greetings with students often turn into a deeper conversation about school, relationships or life in general. Students often stop her mid-step to say hello, sharing updates about exams or life outside of the gym. If they can’t find her, they always know to check her office, where she maintains an open-door policy.

While Johnson may not have the opportunity to interact with every student, she can recognize their faces and identify how often they attend UREC. 

In one of her stories, she recalls a former student who used to exercise in the gym at the same time every day. Having always exercised by himself, she finally approached him one day to make some small talk. 

During the conversation, the student described himself as someone who was socially awkward. However, with Johnson, conversation was always natural. He mentioned that he was always afraid of others judging him, but with her, she never did. 

From then on, he’d always chat with her whenever he could, even going as far as to continue staying in touch with her post-graduation through text messages. That student is just one of many who still check in on Johnson, who continue to wish her happy birthday or simply ask about how life has been.

“Knowing you have made a positive impact in the short amount of time you’ve known someone is a blessing in itself,” Johnson said. 

She also reminisced about advising a former student through a difficult relationship, comforting another during the stress of upcoming exams and even baking extra food for a group of students who asked. 

“No matter where you go, you’ll always make a friend,” Johnson said. “They [students] will never forget you because of the minute thing you said. How many days did I brighten just by asking about how they’re doing?”

Johnson says she has learned just as much from students as they have from her. She describes the experience as something that keeps her grounded, and, in many ways, “keeps her young.”

As she continues to engage with new generations of students each year, more colorful notes from students are added all around her office. She likes to keep them as a reminder of all the connections she’s made with each of them.

Persevering through positivity 

Being a grandmother of five, Johnson jokes that she gets teased by her husband for spending more time at the University than at home. She recalls telling him, “I have to take care of the babies at school.”

That sense of care shapes how Johnson leads her staff. She avoids micromanagement, instead prioritizing communication, support and giving her team space to be themselves. 

“Without students coming here, we wouldn’t have a job,” Johnson said. “Put yourselves in their shoes when you were their age. By keeping buildings clean, being friendly and being yourself, that’s what encourages them the most.” 

That mindset carried her through both rewarding and difficult moments, including her breast cancer diagnosis in April 2025. Fortunately, the cancer was caught at an early stage and could be removed through surgery. 

Rather than dwell on the diagnosis, she met it with humor. Johnson’s doctor said she was the first patient she had seen respond with such a positive attitude. Johnson’s focus was simply on what came next. 

“The cancer feeds off of negativity,” Johnson said. “As long as I stay positive and keep my head high, I know I can push through.” 

Despite knowing about the cancer early on, Johnson waited until the day before her surgery to tell her staff, not wanting to worry them sooner. After surgery in July 2025, she completed six weeks of radiation treatment and was cancer-free by October.

Even during her recovery, Johnson continued to come to work each day. Although her staff urged her to rest, she said she doesn’t regret showing up. 

“I told them I felt fine,” Johnson said. “If I am able-bodied and willing, then I want to continue doing everything I can to help my team.”

Johnson’s lasting legacy

When Johnson received the Outstanding Supervisor Award last spring, she initially didn’t realize the nomination was for her. It was only after a colleague repeated her name that it sank in. 

“I started bawling like a baby,” Johnson said. “It was tears of joy and an honor to be recognized in that capacity.” 

While the recognition caught her off guard, Johnson said awards have never driven her approach. She takes pride in maintaining clean, welcoming facilities and ‌showing up as her authentic self, whether anyone is there to see it or not. 

“If I have to fake it, it’s not meant for me. If I can’t be genuine about who I am and what I do, then I’m just worthless,” Johnson said. “Honesty is a key thing.”

Despite the praise she receives, Johnson is quick to credit her team for the work that keeps the facility running. 

“It’s not about me, but about my team,” she said. “If not for them, none of this would be possible.”

As she prepares for retirement this December, Johnson reflects on her time at Charlotte with gratitude and humility. 

“All the memories ... getting to know so many students. Soon enough, December will be here,” Johnson said. “If I had another 14 years that I could work, I’d do it all over again.” 

While leaving is bittersweet, she is confident in the people who will continue the work after her. Having already passed on her knowledge to the rest of her team, Johnson trusts that the foundation she has helped to build will carry on into the future. 

“Charlotte has made me a better person,” Johnson said. “Through all the good and the bad, I wouldn’t trade this journey for the world.”