Catch up with a Libraries student scholarship awardee: Dalia Coffman

The NC State University Libraries awards a number of part-scholarships every year to our outstanding Libraries student workers as part of our efforts to support student success and affordability. Since 2018, we've awarded 35 scholarships of varying amounts totaling $119,000. For the academic year 2022–23, philanthropic support for the Libraries Student Scholarship Fund has allowed us to support 10 of our talented students with scholarships worth $36,000 in total. This profile is one in a series that lets our scholarship winners tell their stories.

Dalia Coffman is a freshman intending to study materials science and engineering with a concentration in biomaterials and works in the Libraries’ Access Services department. She’s interested in a career in medical sciences and is excited about having access to organizations like the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network and Analytical Instrumentation Facility at NC State.

What are your hobbies and activities outside of school?
One of my favorite hobbies outside of school is playing tennis. I also really enjoy traveling with my family and have visited South Korea and Taiwan. But I would love to visit other countries in Europe, South America, and Africa.

Why did you choose to work at the Libraries? What roles have libraries played in your life in general?
I chose to work at the Libraries because I knew that I would not only be able to meet but also become a member of a diverse, hard-working, and kind community of individuals. Every day there is something new to learn and I am happy that I can help people find the information they want and resources they didn’t know existed! Libraries have always played a role in my life—a place of comfort where I was able to focus on myself as well as find resources that I needed. Libraries were a place where I, as a kid, could find a book that I always wanted to read. Now it’s a place where I can work in a supportive environment and complete my semester work in an efficient way.

What have you been most looking forward to this school year?
I am looking forward to exploring more of what NC State has to offer, learning new information in my classes, building new relationships, and exploring Raleigh.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?
I am not completely sure about what I want to do after graduation but I hope to work in the field of biomaterials as a Materials Science Engineer. I would like to go back to my home country of Japan and use my degree to excel as an engineer disciplined in biomaterials, hoping to contribute to the world of medicine and improve the health of any group in need.

What have you learned through your work at the Libraries? How does your work at the Libraries support or lead into your post-graduation plans?
Working for the Libraries has enabled me to further develop my communication and leadership skills to aid various individuals, answering any questions they had to the best of my ability. It’s given me stability and comfort throughout my first year as I am able to take a break from my academic schedule and instead look forward to interacting with various individuals and learning new things. The Libraries has significantly provided me with a supportive working environment that continues to improve my problem-solving and interpersonal skills—essential skills that I will take with me as I further my education and to my job(s) after graduation.

How will a Libraries scholarship help you on your educational/personal path? Is there anything specific that the scholarship will enable or help you to do?
Receiving this scholarship will allow me to focus on excelling in my academics and not be afraid to have the college experience that I truly hope to have. The Connie C. and Robert D. Shertz Libraries Scholarship has opened a door of opportunities that I will be able to experience such as studying abroad, something that I would love to partake in and believe will be strongly beneficial to my personal and academic development. I am very grateful that I have received this scholarship and will continue to work hard throughout my academic career.

Learn more about the Libraries Student Scholarship Endowment here, and donate directly here.