In With the Old
Introduction
Isaac Coyne wants to help everyone lead a long, prosperous life.
A second-year master’s student at the Jane Addams College of Social Work, Coyne was named a Kott Gerontology Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year. Initiated in 2004 by the Russell and Josephine Kott Charitable Memorial Trust, the Kott Gerontology Scholars Program provides scholarships to promising advanced degree students interested in the aging field who are attending Chicago area universities. Following completion of a 600-hour internship, scholars will continue to work with and on behalf of older adults upon graduation.
The program partners with agencies throughout the Chicago area to serve as internship sites, referred to as host agencies. Some of those include Aging Care Connections, La Grange; North Shore Senior Center, Northfield; Center for Disability and Elder Law, Chicago; and Pathlights, Palos Heights. Kott Scholars represent a diverse range of professions, including social work, psychology/behavioral health, counseling, law, art therapy, and dance movement therapy, among others.
As an intern at AgeOptions, an Oak Park-based non-profit organization that plans, coordinates, develops and funds a range of community-based services, and advocates on behalf of older individuals in the Cook County suburbs, Coyne assists the policy and advocacy team, in addition to aiding individuals with various other needs.
Once his internship is complete, Coyne is required to present a large-scale research project of his choice. He is currently investigating how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal statute approved by Congress that contains tax and spending policies forming the core of President Donald Trump’s agenda, will “put thousands of Illinois seniors at risk of losing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. I am analyzing how this devastating legislation will cause a tremendous strain on food banks, subsidized farming, congregate meals, and other low-cost food options for seniors,” Coyne said.
“Without SNAP, households will need to turn to these options, which already have long waitlists in some instances. The AgeOptions policy team that I am working under aims to bring this issue to light in Congress this fall. It’s quite inspiring to see a team so well equipped to fight back against an oppressive system.”
In With the Old continued
Dying With Dignity
Coyne was inspired to pursue gerontological social work while watching the declining health of his grandfather. To avoid prolonging his suffering, Stan Bohn made the difficult decision to voluntarily stop eating and drinking. Coyne was initially confused by the older man’s choice. He remembered all the good times he had with his grandfather, and he wanted him to continue fighting for his life. Following numerous discussions with the hospice staff, which included social workers, nurses, a chaplain, etc., as well as his mother and father, Coyne felt his grandfather’s decision was empowering.
“I came to respect my grandfather’s choice to approach death with dignity,” Coyne said. “At the time I didn’t even like to think about death. But this experience taught me that autonomy at the end of one’s life is a human right.”
Medical aid in dying is currently authorized in only 12 states; Illinois is not one of them. Coyne is intent on being an advocate for death with dignity.
“I am inspired by families who come together to support a terminally ill loved one,” he said. “Sadly, legislation around death with dignity is at a standstill in Illinois. I hope to support this population through policy advocacy work on the macro level, while meeting terminally ill individuals where they are on the micro level as well.”
Fulfilling an assignment in JACSW Assistant Professor Laurenia Mangum’s Policy 1 course, Coyne authored a letter to Illinois Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-18) thanking her for supporting SB 3499, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, urging her to continue advocating for its passage. Performing his field work at Guardian Hospice last year, Coyne witnessed how critical the legislation is for terminally ill patients. In his letter, he told Gabel, who also serves as House Majority Leader, that the legislation reflects dignity, compassion, and equity in healthcare. He asked how students like himself can keep advocating and supporting the work. To his surprise, Coyne received a response from Gabel’s staff, thanking him for his advocacy.
After being reintroduced as HB 1328 in January 2025, the legislation has been refiled again under SB 1950. The House approved the measure, but the Senate has yet to do so.
Changing Career Course
As an undergraduate student at North Park University, Coyne’s intention was to work in the marketing and communications field for a local non-profit or a socially responsible for-profit business that serves marginalized communities. An internship at North Park’s Kids College summer camp further stoked his passion for grassroots nonprofit marketing campaigns. But he began questioning his career plans during his final semester.
Coyne volunteered with a mental health advocacy group called “Spark,” which focused on student self-esteem and empowerment within the North Park community. Social work graduate students facilitated open groups, and booths were erected on campus to share the organization’s message.
“I thought I was at the finish line in my schooling, but I loved Spark so much that I had a career crisis,” he said.
But Coyne remained steadfast in his commitment to entering the business world, working in jobs in the sales and human resources fields. The work, however, left Coyne unfulfilled. He realized he would make a bigger impact in the field of social work. Coyne discussed a career change with his father, Dan, who fully supported his decision, since he has served as a school social worker for more than 30 years.
Coyne is anticipating graduating in May 2026. Having been born and raised in Evanston, Ill., he doesn’t envision himself leaving the Chicago area. He wants to help the aging field in the state thrive.
“Just as Chicago has been my home, JACSW has become my home, too,” Coyne said. “My professors and friends are like-minded people, and I feel lucky to be around them right now. Drs. (Laurenia) Mangum and (Otima) Doyle have been especially helpful in taking my coursework in the direction that it has gone. Each of the professors I’ve had clearly love to help us all in beginning our social work journey.”