Jennifer Coljeski is the 2017 recipient of the CSU Hero Behind the Hero scholarship. This scholarship recognizes the sacrifices made by the family members of America’s military and public safety personnel (firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs and dispatchers).
Jennifer works for the City of Orlando Fire Department, is a wife to Corey, a CSU student and lieutenant at the City of Orlando Fire Department, and mother to a two year old daughter. Jennifer says she proudly comes from a family of public safety workers, but recognizes that because of this, there is not a lot “free funding to invest in our college careers.”
Jennifer says this scholarship will relieve the burden of “having to figure out where to fit my degree into our budget.” She wants to obtain a bachelor’s degree then ultimately complete her master’s degree in psychology and criminal justice.
“This has been a dream of mine for ten years. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to better myself and accomplish a goal that I have been waiting to pursue.”
Jennifer says her life experience has prepared her for this degree program and her line of work.
“As a child of substance abusers, and of parents with mental health problems, I have had firsthand experience in witnessing the incredible effects therapy has had. I want to be able to help others with their problems, especially those with substance abuse complications. I want to focus on criminal justice and becoming a family psychologist to truly help those that have been affected by incarceration. My life experiences have directly affected my choices and decisions to move forward with (this) career.”
The Hero Behind the Hero scholarship is available to both future and current CSU students and will cover up to $13,200 in one online degree program. The scholarship will be applied directly to the recipient’s tuition for up to three years or until the completion of the selected online degree program, whichever comes first.
To learn more about this and other scholarships, visit our website.
