Meet Jonesta Nolan, from the Oklahoma State University chapter. Nolan was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has lived in several cities throughout her education and career, including New Orleans, Knoxville, Nashville, Denver and Dallas. She now lives in Florida.

Nolan earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Loyola University and recently completed a doctorate in forensic science from Oklahoma State University.

Today, Nolan works as a forensic analyst with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, where she helps process and document scenes and physical evidence associated with animal cruelty investigations across the country.

Nolan also contributes to the forensic science profession through her service on the Board of Directors of the International Association for Identification, the oldest and largest forensic association in the world. She has also served on several professional committees focused on certification, education, leadership and the advancement of forensic practice.

We’re proud to highlight Nolan’s dedication to education, professional service and the advancement of forensic science.

Let’s get to know Nolan!

What inspired you to pursue your current career path?
I originally planned to become a medical doctor after undergraduate school, but while taking time to retake the MCAT, I accepted a position as a 911 dispatcher. I discovered that I loved helping people through difficult situations, and, honestly, my natural nosiness made forensic work a perfect fit for me. After 16 years of working in human forensic investigations, the opportunity to combine my professional experience with my lifelong love of animals felt like the perfect next chapter.

What was it like having family members graduate alongside you and celebrating this milestone together?
My daughters, Jasmine and Courtney, graduated from high school during the same month that I completed my doctorate. Celebrating those three milestones together was incredibly meaningful because it represented not only our individual achievements, but also the journey we had taken as a family.

How did you and your family support one another throughout your academic journeys?
Jasmine and Courtney were the first people I told when I was accepted into the doctoral program, and they were the first people I wanted to tell when I learned that I would be graduating. They even read the first draft of a graduate-school paper that later became my first published article in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. My husband, Orlando, also supported me through the long hours, deadlines, and competing responsibilities that came with earning a doctorate while working full time. Their pride in me meant the world, and completing this journey truly felt like a family accomplishment.

What inspired you to pursue higher education, and did your educational paths influence one another?
My daughters grew up accompanying me to speaking engagements and forensic training events, so they have been exposed to the field for most of their lives—and they probably know how to process latent prints better than I do. I hope my journey encouraged their interest in STEM and showed them that they can pursue anything they want, while their curiosity and ambition continue to inspire my own commitment to lifelong learning.

What's next for you after graduation? Are there any personal or professional goals you're excited to pursue?
Graduation is definitely not the end of my education. I consider myself a lifelong learner and plan to continue pursuing formal education, professional development, research, teaching, and opportunities to strengthen the forensic profession.

What is one of your favorite family traditions or activities?
We love traveling together as a family. Some of our best memories have come from exploring new places, sharing new experiences, and simply having uninterrupted time together.

What's your favorite book, movie or TV show?
I am an avid reader, so choosing one favorite book is nearly impossible. I usually have several books in rotation between my Kindle and audiobooks, and my favorite often changes depending on what I am reading at the moment.

Beach or mountains?
Definitely the beach. Living in Florida has only strengthened that preference.

What’s your favorite season, and why?
Fall is my favorite season because I love the cooler weather, changing colors, and the feeling of a fresh start that seems to come with the season.

What did it mean to you to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi?
Being initiated into Phi Kappa Phi was deeply personal because it represented how far I had come academically. As an undergraduate, I went from graduating near the top of my high school class to nearly failing out of college as I was placed on academic probation. Coming off academic probation and finishing my bachelor’s degree proved to me that I could do hard things. Completing my doctorate with a 4.0 GPA taught me that the most difficult chapter of a story does not have to be the final one.

To learn more about Nolan and connect, visit her profile within our online member community here.

Is there someone you would like to see in the spotlight? Send your nomination to news@phikappaphi.org, and include background information for the nomination.