McLean earns top national ROTC scholarship

McLean will make her decision on which veterinary school to attend in the spring. According to 1^st Lt. Nate Reicks, assistant professor of Military Science, McLean’s top choices currently include Iowa State University, Colorado State University and University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

The health professions scholarship provides qualified students pursuing a graduate-level healthcare degree with full tuition plus a monthly stipend of more than $2,000. Qualifying students are also eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus. Graduates are required to serve the U.S. Army for one year for each year they receive the scholarship.

McLean grew up in a military family and graduated high school from Brewster, Nebraska, where she found her love for animals. She hopes to work with small animals and in public health in the Army.

She said she enjoyed learning about topics such as microbiology, parasitology, and immunology and has recently considered pursuing research in emerging zoonotic diseases, pathogens that can be passed between humans and animals.

“I have enjoyed my time at Chadron State College very much. The small-town atmosphere allowed me to be involved in multiple clubs, gain veterinary experience working for a local veterinarian and dabble in a little research on antimicrobial resistant bacteria in household pets. I did all this while balancing my schoolwork and my responsibilities in ROTC as most of my teachers and ROTC cadre were willing to work around my crazy schedule. Overall, I think I gained a lot of valuable experience during my time at CSC,” McLean said.