Girl, code!

When Jennifer McDonnell transferred to Northeastern Illinois University from Elgin Community College, she already knew she wanted to earn her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

“I was looking for a school with a respectable computer science program, located in Chicago, and that is affordable,” McDonnell said. “NEIU was one of the only schools that checked all those boxes!”

While neither of McDonnell’s parents completed college degrees, as one of four kids, she’ll be the second in her family to finish college. When she graduates, she’ll be taking with her more than just the skills she’s learned in courses.

McDonnell became involved in Northeastern's extracurricular programs, especially the University’s chapter of Girls Who Code and the Student Government Association. She also has served as a Peer Leader and tutor for the Department of Computer Science. Outside of Northeastern, she works at First Ascent Climbing and Fitness as a climbing instructor and desk staff.

“There have been countless times that I was able to build new skills, study and rely on the support of friends that I would not have made if I didn’t interact with clubs,” McDonnell said. “At a school that serves many commuter students, it is tempting to head home immediately after class. However, I’d encourage any student to spend some time on campus going to industry talks, events, or your professor’s office hours. There are so many underutilized resources at Northeastern that you should take advantage of!”

McDonnell’s involvement caught the attention of College of Business and Technology (CBT) Dean Michael Bedell, Ph.D.

“Jennifer is a passionate Computer Science major who immediately jumped at the opportunity to immerse herself in her major and the CBT community,” Dr. Bedell said. “She has been a tutor for multiple courses in Computer Science in CBT and has quickly become one of the most popular tutors in the office due to her thorough knowledge of the material and the patience she exhibits for her fellow students. It is that kind of care that makes her stand out from other peer leads and tutors.”

After McDonnell earns her bachelor’s degree, she’s looking forward to entering the software engineering industry, with a focus on backend development.

“I am the kind of person who loves to learn new things, so I am very open to other roles in the technology industry,” McDonnell said.

Dr. Bedell also noted that McDonnell was one of a handful of CBT students to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), the world’s largest gathering of women in tech, which was held in Chicago in Fall 2025. The GHC is a global conference for women to learn, network, celebrate achievements in computer science, and amplify the impact of women in technology fields. Attending the GHC and many other experiences McDonnell had during her time at Northeastern made a significant impact on her; an impact she will carry with her beyond graduation and into her career.

“I really enjoy the relationships I have been able to build with peers and faculty,” McDonnell said. “I previously spent a couple of semesters at a very large university and it felt like I was lost in the crowd. At Northeastern, I have had the opportunity to see my peers more consistently, get to know my professors and form deeper relationships. I have been able to rely on these relationships for personal support, professional development and career advice that I would have otherwise been lacking.”
 

Top photo: A headshot photo of Jennifer McDonnell.