DeKALB | Students wanting to learn more about credit will have the chance hear from one of the best consultants in the state.

Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Grant South Formal Lounge, Catherine Okoroh, a 1996 NIU graduate, will speak to students on the dangers of hurting your credit.

Okoroh currently serves as the branch manager for Carteret Mortgage Corporation and is a co-founder of Bottom Line Investments, Inc.

Her presentation, entitled “Credit Restoration and Entrepreneurship: Starting Your Own Business,” will focus on the pitfalls of credit.

“I’m going to be teaching college students about how they can ruin their credit,” Okoroh said. “Then, I’ll show them how to turn it around.”

Okoroh, who grew up on the west side of Chicago, received a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies. She served as vice president of Minority Affairs on the Campus Activities Board, as well as being a two-term president of the Organization for Black Business Students.

After serving for two years at the University of Champaign-Urbana campus ministry, Okoroh moved to Chicago and was able to successfully place more than 70 underprivileged families in jobs within one month.

Eventually, she began to seek a career in the mortgage industry and consumer credit. After barely a year working in her field, she had become the number one government lender in her division.

A credit expert and licensed loan originator with the power to originate loans in 26 states, she teaches at schools, churches and various other organizations around Chicago and beyond.

Okoroh’s presentation will be co-sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma and Grant South Educational Projects.

Justin Weaver is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.