Student Spotlight: Courtney Coleman
By Tony Scott

Courtney Coleman aspires to work in forensic science after graduating from NIU. (Photo by Courtney Coleman)

Courtney Coleman has had to endure a variety of economic hardships as a student, but thanks to the generosity of donors, she is on her way to finishing her hard earned NIU degree in biochemistry, with an anthropology minor, with a plan to graduate in the spring of 2025.
 

Coleman grew up highly interested in the sciences, receiving gifts of a telescope and microscope as a child, and being enraptured by the teachings of Neil deGrasse Tyson. Later, she became interested in forensic science from watching the TV shows “Bones” and “CSI” in high school.

“I absolutely loved the spontaneity, ever changing work environment that the team worked in, and satisfaction of solving a crime, it drew me in,” she said of forensic science.

As a high school senior, she and her classmates participated in a tour of the local coroner’s office. It was a field trip that sealed her future career aspirations.ations.

“We were able to talk to the current coroner who worked for Kankakee,” she said. “He gave us a tour of the lab, where we were able to get a rundown of what a typical day looks like, from the time a body is transported to the lab all the way to the viewing by the victim’s family. I absolutely loved the trip; it influenced my decision to change my career path from astrophysics to forensic science.”

Coleman graduated from high school in May 2020, just as the COVID pandemic hit. Both she and her mother lost their jobs because of COVID and they struggled to catch up financially. To save money, Coleman attended community college for two years before transferring to NIU in the spring of 2023.
 

“The first two years of my college journey were quite stressful due to my financial situation weighing against me,” she said. “There were times where I felt pretty intimidated by my situation, and I questioned if this path was for me. I graduated in the top 10 of my class in high school, yet I was struggling to pay for just one semester of college.”

Coleman worked hard during her first semester at NIU, and that following fall, she received financial help in the form of the Chemistry Department Scholarship Fund, funded by the generosity of Arlene and Bill, ’77, M.S. ’78 Mickols. Coleman is incredibly grateful for the Mickols’ philanthropy and the ability to concentrate on her studies other than the stresses of paying bills.

“There was a time in my freshman year of college where I envisioned myself being a senior, solely focusing on academics and improving myself,” Coleman said. “Without the help of NIU and the donors, I would have had to take out more loans this semester. Thanks to Bill and Arlene Mickols, my senior year of college has come upon me! Two years ago, I honestly didn’t know if I would continue my educational path, and I am so grateful that I did not give up. I appreciate generous donors for seeing something in me and supporting me through this journey.”

To give to the Chemistry Department Scholarship Fund or to support NIU students in other ways, please visit the NIU Foundation website.