Every child imagines who they willbecome when they grow up, but few fulfill those childhood dreams. Katelin (Horton)Johnson, a 2025business management graduate from Cedarville University, is an exception.

“I grew up going to Disney World and dreamed of one day working there,” said Johnson. “Yet when it came time to decide my career path, I wasn’t sure what to do. After encouragement from my parents, I applied to Disney. I thought it was crazy — until they accepted my application and hired me. It was a dream come true.”

JohnsonchoseCedarville Universitybecause she admiredCedarville’s mission and core values. During her four years—or 1000 Days— at Cedarville, Johnsonembraced the values of “Love for God. Love for Others. Integrity in Conduct. Excellence in Effort.” Now, she is preparing to carry those principlesinto her new role as a retail planner for consumer products at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Johnson is charged with maintainingDisney’s high-quality product production as she works with merchandise for Hollywood Studios, a Disney World theme park. She will be analyzing business reports and working with co-workers to create strong teams that produce compelling products.

Johnson brings with herthe encouragement of faculty mentorsAlina Leo, assistant professor of management, and Stacey Stratton, associate professor of theatre, whosupportedher throughout her time at Cedarville.

Johnsonplans to apply strategic planning principlesshe learned in business classes and theatre performances to express God’s love through storytelling.Sheunderstands that working as a Christian in a secular environmentmay be challenging, but she’sconfident that this is where God has called her.

“God’s greatest commandment is to love others,” said Johnson. “I won’t support values I don’t believe in, but I want to show others that God and I care about them.”

Johnson learned how important it is to love others like Christ through her campus experience at Cedarville.

“All your dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” said Walt Disney — something Johnson has found to be true. As a child, shegazed up at Cinderella'scastle, watching the fireworks burst overhead andimagining what it would be like to work for Disney.Now, years later, Johnsonis stepping into her dream.

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduateand graduateresidential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.