Hard work, leadership skills and dedication have led Samantha Kohen on an unforgettable path at Eastern Illinois University. The 21 year old senior is a earning a biology degree with a minor in chemistry in the midst of playing midfielder/forward for EIU women's soccer.

Hard work has led Kohen to success at EIU in the classroom and on the field. She earned the Ohio Valley Conference Medal of Honor and Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2006 and 2007. The Medal of Honor is given to a student-athlete who achieves the highest grade point average in a conference sponsored sport. For the honor roll award, recipients must have achieved at least a 3.25 grade point average and have been eligible and on the team throughout the season. Kohen has a 3.6 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

“You have to be very hard working and I think that's a quality I have, trying to manage a bunch of school hours and play soccer,” Kohen said.

Last year on the field, the Buffalo Grove, Ill. native scored her first game winning goal of her career at EIU. Kohen has been a consistent player throughout her years at Eastern and has enjoyed it. When she is on the field, it's all about soccer and nothing else.

“When I'm having a really bad day at school, it's kind of like a release. You don't have to think about school or how you're going to get a job, you can just kick a ball and play soccer,” Kohen said.

Biology and soccer have also taught Kohen to be a leader.

“The fact is that I learn every day, obviously about soccer, but there are bigger life lessons that I can take and apply to what I'm going to do one day,” said Kohen. “You need a lot of leadership qualities and that's going to be something that is going to make me stand out above other people when I am competing for a job.”

The leadership qualities she's learned here at EIU will translate into her future. Kohen plans on becoming a physician's assistant and is concentrating on orthopedics or pediatrics – and she knows it isn't going to be an easy task.

“I love a challenge and it's something I've always wanted to do, especially since I love to help people,” Kohen said.

Kohen says her qualities she's learned through her experiences at EIU will help her stand out in the future, but they've also helped her stand out here.

Fun Facts with Kohen:

-- Favorite Movie: "It would have to be Casino – it's kind of like a gang movie. Or Gladiator. Or Rocky, I love those. My latest favorite is Up – it's amazing."

-- Favorite Food: "Pizza, with cheese only. Pagliai's is my favorite by far."

-- Fondest Memory in a Panther uniform: "When I scored the game winning goal to win the SEMO game last year. We got to the playoffs by winning that game. That was my first actual career goal at Eastern."