From student-athlete to business owner, Devin Johnson, ‘12 shares how his time at Doane laid the foundation for personal growth, professional confidence, and the courage to build his own chiropractic practice. Through injury, mentorship, and meaningful connections, his Doane experience became the launchpad for a life of purpose and impact.
What impact did Doane have on you—personally and professionally?
Doane impacted me greatly while I was there, and the impact continued after I graduated. Doane helped me be more confident because of the education I received, but it also helped me meet a diverse group of people.
You retain more than you think during school, and it’s not just educational retention. Being at Doane helped me get out of my comfort zone and put myself out there more because I was a Doane graduate.
Most people want to know where you went to college, and when you can say Doane, I feel like it puts you a step ahead of the competition and can put you on a higher tier than most college graduates.
Coach Ziola and Coach Bessler had the biggest impact on me during my time in school. They were the ones who reached out to me originally to go to Doane and granted me the Ed Pallet Impact Scholarship for track. I ended up having a bad string of injuries that kept me out of my sports, but those two specifically helped me become more resilient through what I thought at the time was the end of the world. That resilience helped me become the person I am today.
Also, shoutout to Denny for being a top-notch equipment manager and always keeping us on our toes!
What did you study at Doane and when did you graduate?
I graduated from Doane in 2012 with an exercise science major and biology minor. After Doane, I continued my education at Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri (a suburb of St. Louis), where I graduated with my doctorate in chiropractic.
Tell us about your professional journey. What are you doing now?
I started my career as a chiropractor in Missouri in 2018 as an associate working for another doctor, but I always knew the end goal was to move back to Nebraska and open my own practice to be closer to my family.
In March 2024, I was able to move forward with that dream and move to Nebraska to open my own chiropractic office, DJ Chiropractic LLC, in south Lincoln.
My education at Doane was initially steered toward physical therapy until I started being adjusted by my chiropractor in my hometown of Grand Island. This opened my eyes to a new profession and a holistic type of healthcare.
As a chiropractor, starting off right out of school is very difficult, whether you’re joining an established practice or opening your own clinic. Being a Doane graduate gave me the skills to not only pursue my doctorate, but it also gave me confidence to start from scratch and build my own business in a completely different state.
What activities and organizations were you involved in at Doane?
During my time at Doane, I was part of the football team and track team. I was also a member of Sigma Phi Theta and held a variety of leadership positions within that organization.
What advice would you give to future Doane students?
Enjoy it while it lasts! The four years I was at Doane went by in a flash. You get to meet a lot of people and can build a lot of good relationships that can last you a lifetime. Some of my best relationships came from the people I met at Doane, whether that’s people you meet while on campus or the vast alumni pool. Doane is a great way to build and keep relationships that last long past graduation.
Participate in everything that you can while at Doane. There are a lot of great people at the school, students and faculty alike, and if you don’t put yourself out there, you can miss out on a lot of what Doane has to offer.
If you want the best education and atmosphere in Nebraska to set you up for life, go to Doane!
