College of DuPage (COD) tennis star Teso Coker’s days at the school may be over, but they remain far from forgotten.
“If anyone gets the chance, Coach Jim Bowers is amazing, and his instruction is great for any level of tennis player,” Coker recently reflected in a story posted to the school’s website.
Now at the University of University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin (UMW) and majoring in conservation and environmental science, Coker said her time at College of DuPage gave her the foundation she finds she surely needs.
“I want to become an environmental scientist, and COD laid down the guideline for my first degree,” she said.
“I wanted to continue playing tennis when I left COD, so I learned a lot of time management. I also realized that there are many people at COD who are passionate about their profession. Generally, they have been in their field for a long time. Their experiences gave insight into my future as I planned my own short- and long-term goals.
"COD gave me a more personal education, and I felt prepared to take on these next couple of years at a four-year institution.”
After winning a regional in a singles competition in 2015, she advanced to the nationals in 2016. Coker has already joined a club team at UWM.
“As you are figuring out what you want to accomplish, or if you already know what you want to accomplish, COD is a smart investment of your time,” she said. “There are always degrees, programs and other things that COD has to offer that will allow you to become a more valuable individual.”
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