About Courtney

Courtney is a Professor at Northern Illinois University. She teaches courses in the Public Health and PhD in Health Sciences programs and mentors students from undergraduate through postdoctoral levels. She also serves as the university’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative.

Growing up playing every sport imaginable and devouring books on exercise and nutrition, Courtney always knew she had a passion for health. But it wasn’t until her father passed away from heart disease at age 47 that she decided to pursue a career focused on better understanding health and well-being and helping to prevent his fate for others. Her personal mission has since expanded to improving population health and quality of life through scholarship, education, and technology.

Courtney publishes her research in scientific journals and presents at national and international conferences. She was the 2024 recipient of the Mid-American Conference Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. She received her PhD in Health Services from the University of Washington, MS in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan, and BBA in Finance and Business Economics / Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame where she was a member of the varsity tennis team.