From an early age, she was drawn by the sweet aroma that wafted through the kitchen, which meant one thing: her grandmother was baking.
“I was always in the kitchen with my grandma whenever she cooked or baked. I was her right-hand man — the taster, literally. Every time she made something, she’d say, ‘Here, you try it, let me know if it’s good,’” Johnson said.
Those small, tender moments she spent with her grandmother blossomed into a lifelong passion for baking. Even after her grandmother’s passing, Johnson continues to share that same warmth with every batch she bakes.
Johnson started her journey at Cerritos College, where she got a taste of what it meant to be a baker and a cook. Not only did she learn advanced cooking techniques, but also how to operate a restaurant, café and banquets on a campus scale.
It was also at Cerritos College where helpful guidance led her to apply to Cal Poly Pomona (CPP). Following the same hands-on approach as Cerritos College, CPP was the place for her.
“Jasmine has chosen and selected The Collins College [of Hospitality Management] and she will succeed because of this: she chose to do it,” said Michael Pierini, a professor at Cerritos College. “I have no doubt that when she sets her mind to something, she will give it her every effort.”
He also highlighted Johnson’s strong personality and confidence, which made her a true leader in her community. For one of her projects, she strengthened community ties by educating others about the food pantry at Cerritos College — an initiative that also inspired delicious meals for all to enjoy.
She joined the Bronco community spring of 2025, and she couldn’t be any happier.
“At Cerritos, all the chefs raved about Cal Poly Pomona, but I was scared to take a chance because I thought the major [hospitality management] would be hard to get into,” Johnson said. “I took the chance and I got in. Now I understand why they always brought up this school. I love this school — it’s amazing and there are so many different opportunities.”
At The Collins College, she has been on a rollercoaster of adventures from hotel tours to conferences to study abroad in Thailand.
Learn More About Study Abroad Thailand
In her first summer at The Collins College, she visited the lush landscape and rich culture of Thailand. There, Johnson got to learn the skill of Mui Thai, dance, prepare cocktails and bake desserts native to Thailand, all rooted in the art of hospitality. This helped enhance her understanding of international hospitality and culinary practices.
Through Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management (SHFM), Johnson learned essential skills. These clubs took her to conferences where she had the ability to network with industry professionals. Through these experiences she learned the essentials of networking and management skills.
Learning different cultures, leadership skills and business skills all led her back to her end goal — to open a bakery after graduation, inspired by the warmth she once shared in her grandmother’s kitchen. For now, she’s focused on building the skills and experience that will make that dream a reality.
To take your own journey in hospitality, visit cpp.edu/collins.
To view your transfer eligibility visit cpp.edu/admissions/transfer.
