A former UA student who was set to teach a second summer session psychology class has been missing since June 2.

Steve Johnson, who received his communication and psychology bachelor's degrees and his educational psychology master's degree from the University of Arizona, was hiking alone on Agua Fria Mountain, about 60 miles south of Alpine, Texas, and has yet to be found.

Brewster County Sheriff's Department Deputy Martin Willey said the search for Johnson is ongoing and will continue as new information is gathered.

"We're doing what we can," he said.

He said the latest lead is from a man who may have seen Johnson around June 15, but the lead still is being investigated.

Willey said Johnson cannot be legally declared dead until his body is found, or, for legal purposes, he is missing for seven years.

Johnson's mother, Patricia Johnson Morris, and his brother, Rick, found his car near Agua Fria Mountain about three weekends after his disappearance.

Willey said numerous people have been lost in what he calls a "very remote" area.

Johnson was scheduled to teach the second session class before enrolling at Northern Colorado University as a Ph.D. candidate in the fall, Morris said.

"He was a compulsive person, who was very intense," Morris said. "He did everything 200 percent. He worked hard and played hard."

Morris said her son enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing, jogging and other athletic activities. But, she said, his passion was studying.

"He was a wonderful, wonderful student," said Charles Brainerd, Johnson's mentor, friend and a professor of educational psychology. "Steve understood what a university was all about."

Brainerd and his wife, educational psychology professor Valerie Reyna, both oversaw Johnson's thesis and research. Brainerd said talking to Johnson was like talking to a colleague rather than a student.

"He was not a passive student," Brainerd said. "He just didn't sit back. He was willing to admit he was wrong, but he challenged you. He did things that people with a Ph.D. did."

On a personal level, Brainerd said, "You just couldn't be depressed when Steve was around." He said working with Steve gave him a positive feeling about being a professor.

"I provided Steve with the tools and Steve worked and used the tools," Brainerd said.

Brainerd and Morris both said that Johnson's goal from day one at the university was to become a university professor. Morris said another one of his goals was to not cut his hair.

Brainerd said Johnson was already contacting universities nationwide to find out where teaching openings were once he received his Ph.D.

Anyone who has seen or knows the whereabouts of Johnson should contact the Brewster County Sheriff's Department at (915) 837-3488.