Justina is a senior from Porterfield, Wisconsin. She is a Forensic Biochemistry major with a Criminal Justice minor and has a 3.12 gpa. She was diagnosed with PTSD, ADHD and OCD in 2010.    We are happy to announce that Justina has been awarded the Board of Trustees Outstanding Nontraditional Student Award. Congratulations Justina!   Justina is extremely dedicated to her field of study. She has known that she wanted to work in the field of forensic science since she was 10 years old. She has been successful in her classes while balancing working 20 hours a week at an off-campus job.

Justina interned at the Wisconsin Department of Justice where she worked at the Madison Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory last summer.  She was also selected to be a member of an exclusive group of students to be involved with a special topics course here at Northern.  She has given presentations in the Chemistry Department and has contributed to the development of the Forensic Biochemistry Club. Justina has also volunteered her time to present to students with disabilities on the importance of self-advocating, communicating with professors and utilizing accommodations.

Justina has a very strong support system in her husband, family and friends and attributes a lot of her success to their unconditional love and support.  Justina is graduating in May and is currently applying for jobs in Michigan and Wisconsin. Her story is an inspiration to students with disabilities and her ambition to overcome challenges and succeed is truly admirable.