Recent Graduate Spotlight: Sujey Gomez '24
By Tony Scott
Sujey Gomez graduated from NIU in December 2024, thanks in part to the generosity of
NIU donors. (Photo by Sujey Gomez)
Sujey Gomez, ’24, a hardworking, married mother of three children, embodied the Huskie spirit as she crossed the finish line to graduation this past December with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
Gomez’s family came from Mexico, and she grew up in Elgin, Illinois, the oldest of three sisters. Her father works at a grocery store and her mother is employed at a factory. She now lives in St. Charles, Illinois, with a goal of becoming a school psychologist.
“I have been a stay-at-home mother to my three children, one of whom has special needs,” Gomez said. “Balancing school and my responsibilities as a mother has been challenging at times. However, I was able to successfully complete school with a 3.9 GPA.”
Gomez chose NIU as it is close to her home and has a great psychology program. Thanks to NIU donors and her hard work, she earned a number of scholarships to help her finish school, including the Dream Scholarship, the Huskies Aiding Huskies Scholarship, the Warner and Lora Kays Pomerene Memorial Fund Scholarship and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Finish Line Scholarship.
“I will be the first in my family to obtain a bachelor's degree,” she said. “Getting scholarships allowed me to concentrate on my studies without having to stress about the financial burden that comes with education. I felt extremely grateful and happy when I received the scholarships.”
While at NIU, she participated in the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and the Psi Chi and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.
Gomez praised Sandy Lopez, director of the Undocumented Student Resource Center, as a mentor.
“During my time at NIU, Dr. Sandy Lopez has been incredibly helpful. She has guided me in making educational decisions that have shaped my future,” Gomez said.
Gomez strongly believes in funding scholarships for future students and has a message for alumni and donors.
“I believe that donating to support student scholarships is not only important but also a significant contribution to the future of our country,” she said. “Students are the future of society, and investing in their education helps create more educated individuals who will be integrated into our communities. Your donation can make a profound difference by providing opportunities for students to reach their full potential, ultimately benefiting all of us.”
To help Huskies like Sujey cross the finish line to graduation, please visit the NIU Foundation website.