From Presidential Scholar to Future Physician Assistant: Tiwalola Balogun Leaves His Mark at Coppin

As a Presidential Scholar and Honors student, Tiwalola Balogun used his Coppin experience to grow as a leader, researcher, and future healthcare professional. 

Tiwalola Balogun 

Major: Biology 
Minor: Chemistry 
Hometown: District Heights, Maryland 

For Tiwalola Balogun, choosing Coppin State University came down to one simple truth: “Coppin chose me.” 

After recognizing his hard work and academic potential coming out of high school, Coppin offered Balogun a full-ride scholarship, an opportunity he says changed the trajectory of his life. 

“I was extremely grateful,” Balogun says. “Coppin saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself.” 

That opportunity quickly became something bigger than academics. 

During his time at Coppin, Balogun immersed himself in campus leadership, research, and mentorship opportunities that helped shape both his confidence and his future goals. A four-time Dean’s List student, he became a Presidential Scholar, BGE Scholar, secretary of S.M.O.O.T.H., senator of Beta Kappa Chi, and an Our House Peer Mentor. 

One of the defining moments of his journey came when he became a SASA Peer Leader, an experience he says helped transform him into the leader he is today. 

“That was really the beginning of my involvement on campus,” he says. “It pushed me to become more open, get involved, and take advantage of the opportunities Coppin had to offer.” 

Balogun says one of the biggest lessons he learned at Coppin was the importance of community and connection. 

“My experience here taught me that community is everything,” he says. “There are people who think like you, go through the same challenges, and support you through the journey. You do not have to go through college alone.” 

Beyond leadership and service, Balogun also expanded his academic experience through undergraduate research with the Department of Natural Sciences under the mentorship of Jude Namanga. His research focused on the “Effects of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) reinforcement on the mechanical properties of 3D printed ABS polymers.” 

He credits Coppin’s Honors Program and BGE Scholars Program with helping him grow personally and professionally while also relieving financial stress and connecting him with valuable post-graduate resources. 

“Those programs connected me with like-minded individuals and gave me opportunities I may not have had otherwise,” he says. 

For Balogun, graduation represents a major milestone not only for himself, but for his family as well. 

“Graduating from Coppin means everything to me and my family,” he says. “I set a goal for myself and achieved it. There’s no greater joy in the world.” 

After graduation, Balogun plans to take a gap year before pursuing admission into a Physician Assistant program as he continues working toward a career in healthcare. 

His advice to future Coppin students is simple: 

“Coppin is a land of opportunity, and you have to make it what you want it to be,” he says. “Get active on campus, build genuine connections, and you’ll find yourself in rooms and opportunities you never imagined possible.”