2023 Graduate Spotlights (M-S)

Celebrating Drew Scholars Class of 2023!

 

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*Featured profile includes photo(s) and written spotlight.

Marqell McClendon

Communication, Bachelor of Arts Health Promotion, Minor Bioethics, Minor, Women’s & Gender Studies, Minor College of Communication Arts & Sciences

Kirsten McDonald

Physiology, Bachelor of Science College of Natural Science

Abby Mondro*

Neuroscience, Bachelor of Science Human Biology, Additional Major College of Natural Science Pinckney, MI

About

Abby is from a small town in Michigan called Pinckney, where she grew up as the oldest of four  children. Serving as a pivotal role model to her siblings is extremely important to her.  Pinckney is where she found her love for science which then carried her to Michigan State University to study neuroscience and the pre-dental track coursework.

As an undergraduate, she has held several roles including dental assistant, student assistant in the MSU Pharmacology and Toxicology department, and a chemistry tutor for general chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry! Abby was also active in the neuroscience and pre-dental student organizations. 

Abby is graduating with double majors in Neuroscience-Cellular and Developmental and Human Biology. She is applying to dental school during the upcoming application cycle with aspirations of joining fellow Drew Scholars at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.. Throughout her journey at msu she has consistently broken down barriers to reach her goal to show that she is dedicated and determined to pursue her career in science.

Meaning of this Momentous Occasion

“As with any experience that is years long, there will be ups and downs. My experience at MSU consisted of many ups and downs, but those ups and downs seem so insignificant reaching this point. There have been lifelong friendships made, all-nighters, tests that I aced, tests that I failed, and more, and those experiences have made me who I am today. 

Entering my undergrad in the peak of COVID was a test like no others, academically and emotionally. Reaching this moment makes me not only proud of myself, but proud to be my parents' first child to graduate college, the first grandchild on my mom's side to graduate college, the first granddaughter to graduate college on my dad's side, and the first sibling to graduate college of my siblings. It's taken so much to reach this point, and reaching this point feels beyond what I can convey in words.”

Significance of Drew Scholars

“The Drew Scholars Program has provided me with so much, and I think I am much more prepared for my future endeavors than I would have been had I not been in this program. Having Ariel as an advisor has been amazing. The ability to have an advisor who has a lot less students than most advisors makes the experience so much more personalized. Being able to easily make an appointment with your Drew advisor is so much easier than making a schedule with a major advisor, especially in a time crunch before signing up for classes! 

This program also provides so many opportunities for programs over the summer, internships, jobs, and more, that I would have never found had I looked around myself. They also have so many workshops throughout the year, such as medical school workshops, personal statement workshops, pre-health seminars, and more. 

The NSC courses that we take (Drew Seminars) also build a foundation for great work ethic and study habits, while providing an easygoing environment to learn and make mistakes without consequence. 

Dr. Caldwell also makes this program even more enjoyable, and he is so kind. 

I have also found so many of my lifelong friends in this program. Being able to connect in a smaller environment with like-minded individuals with a strong drive in the sciences has been so rewarding. I love this program!!!!!”

To My Peers and Successors

“I think the hardest thing to overcome in college was not any paper or exam, but rather my own ego. There are things that you will not score well on. There are things you will face. You are not perfect. You cannot learn how to improve without messing up a few times. 

You have come to college to learn about things you were never taught prior to coming here, and you are not going to be perfect at everything! Give yourself grace and know that while something may be disappointing now, you will do better next time with the newfound knowledge produced from this experience.” 

Alexis Morse

Computational Data Science, Bachelor of Science College of Natural Science

Justin Murray

Human Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Natural Science

Ebube Okpechukwu*

Human Biology, Bachelor of Science Health Promotion, Minor College of Natural Science  Honors College Kalamazoo, MI

  About

Ebube was raised in Kalamazoo, MI, along with her younger sister, who is also a fellow Spartan and Drew scholar.  Ebube’s family is from Nigeria, and her connection to her family and culture, especially her mom, plays a huge role in who she is and has become,  

She has grown immensely during her time at MSU, and is truly grateful for all that she has gone through and ultimately accomplished over the intervening years. Relationships, community, and excellence are very important to her which is why she highly values kindness, approachability, loyalty, determination and patience. With patience and determination she has realized that everything doesn't happen when you want it to, but it will happen when it is supposed to. 

As an undergraduate, Ebube’s orientation towards community propelled her to engage extensively outside of the classroom.  She has worked as a student athlete tutor and an undergraduate learning assistant for both BS 181H and  MTH 103, and a Summer 2021 BRUSH research participant.  She has served as a peer mentor for both Drew Scholars and the Honor College, and held membership in Honors X2, Minority Association for Premedical Students (MAPS), and the Drew Student Organization (DSO).  As her membership in MAPS and DSO grew, she took on more responsibility in assuming leadership roles as a part of their executive boards.

Her academic goals are to finish her last semester strong and graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher and make it on the Dean's List one last and final time.  Achieving placement on the Dean’s List one last time will bring her total entries to 8, one for every semester since she has been enrolled at MSU. 

She possesses a strong desire to pursue a career in the medical field with the objective of giving back to underserved and underrepresented communities. Her career goals specifically include practicing as a pediatrician or emergency medicine physician, serving marginalized communities lacking resources and access to quality healthcare.

Ebube is graduating with honor from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a minor in Health Promotion from the College of Natural Science and the Honors College.

Following graduation, her plans are to apply to medical school while taking some time to enjoy life without classes or exams. She also plans to use some of her time to gain more professional experience in the medical field and gain more experience.

Meaning of this Moment

Ebube shares what it means to graduate from MSU:

“My time at MSU, which I am sure others in my year can attest to, has certainly not been the normal college experience. From the pandemic coming in our freshman year, being online and at home for the following year, to events that have occurred during our senior year. I think overall, it has been a learning experience and shows how strong the community here is for everyone at MSU and that I truly have a Spartan family.

I think reaching this moment, I knew I would always get here, I just never pictured the road that it would take. I am very grateful for how I have reached this moment with my time here at MSU, which is a little bit of a bittersweet moment. I always saw school for what it was, to be the best you can and to go for as many opportunities as you can. But I took way more than just expanding my knowledge, but I have made lifelong friends and relationships that without my time here I don't think would have been possible. 

I am excited for the future and what is to come and thankful for all that MSU has prepared me for up until this moment.”

Significance of Drew Scholars

Ebube shares what her membership in Drew Scholars has meant to her:

“Being a Drew Scholar has enhanced my Michigan State experience as a whole. 

Firstly, it allowed me to meet many other students who have the same passions and career desires as me. We are able to communicate with one another through the different events and milestones we have gone through such as looking for clinical experiences, preparing to take the MCAT, and even some of our STEM courses we have been able to struggle but also succeed together. It has created a mentality which I'm sure is seen throughout all students that when you are in any of your STEM or even non-STEM courses you are bound to see at least one other Drew student in the course. 

Being a Drew Scholar has also impacted me on the opportunities I've been able to gather while attending Michigan State University. I was able to hear about different clubs the university offered which was geared towards my career interest like the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) and the Pre-Physician Club. 

Also within my freshman year I was able to be paired up with a mentor who was upperclassmen, and they were able to provide advice, insight, and be a person that I could come to with questions about my college experience. I feel as though this matchup was very beneficial for me and a bunch of the other students because we were able to have someone who has gone through what we were about to go through. 

I was also able to gain my first research experience through a Drew posting about a researcher looking for students to help with a scoring process. This was my first experience and it was during the pandemic, and I was able to work throughout the semester. With the Drew seminar courses I was able to hear about research programs beneficial for students of color. I heard about the BRUSH Program that I participated in during one of my past summers. I cannot explain how grateful I am for going with Drew before enrolling in my freshman year because it allowed for many experiences that I couldn't imagine happening without me being a part of the program. 

The warming community from our advisor, Ariel Robbins, to our seminar course professor, Dr. Caldwell, and everyone who works in the Drew office are all focused on making sure the Drew students succeed. I am forever grateful to the Drew Science Scholars program for all they have brought me thus far.”

To My Peers and Successors

“My advice is to always pay attention and be resourceful with the Drew program. Everyone from the staff, to teachers, to even your Drew peers are people you can come to for advice and to gain more knowledge. 

I believe that with the Drew program I have gotten so many more opportunities and found myself as a student and what I want for my future because of this program. I am forever grateful and truly appreciate everyone who is a part of this program and all the support we have for one another.”

Leslie Ramirez

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science Biochemistry & Molecular Biology-Biotechnology, Additional Major College of Natural Science Honors College

Hunter Reilly

Human Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Natural Science

Emily Robledo

Human Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Natural Science

Sophia Rubio*

Physiology, Bachelor of Science Cognitive Science, Minor College of Natural Science Honors College  Rockford, MI

About 

Sophia came to MSU from Rockford, MI after having graduated in 2019 from Rockford High School in 2019.Throughout her adolescence, she was an avid soccer player, a sport she learned to think quickly on her feet. Coupled with her passion for soccer, was her captivation with science, a love she found early on in life as with soccer. Her fascination with science soon bloomed into a heavy appreciation and strong desire to pursue a medical career as a physician assistant. 

Throughout her time on campus, Sophia sought to fully and holistically develop her skills and experience as much as possible.  To accomplish her goal, she engaged in undergraduate research, served in Tower Guard Honor Society, volunteered abroad, and worked as a certified-nursing assistant. patient care technician, and an undergraduate learning assistant for a human anatomy prosection lab, as well as gained hundreds of hours of community service.  

Sophia is graduating with high honor from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and minor in Cognitive Science from the Honors College and the College of Natural Science.  Following graduation, she will begin her graduate study at Grand Valley State University in the Physician Assistant Studies program.

Meaning of this Momentous Occasion

“My reflection on graduating is working towards my goals I have set for myself throughout undergrad and finally having them fulfilled. It’s a transition time that can be scary and hard to navigate because it may feel like an overwhelming step.”

Significance of Drew Scholars

“The Drew Scholars program has impacted my undergraduate experience by providing me with an outstanding community of people along with multiple experiences I would not have had without Drew. 

Since I have been a part of the Drew Scholars program since my freshman year, I immediately had the opportunity to meet other people from diverse backgrounds who were also pursuing career goals similar to mine. This helped me with classes along with having friends to talk to who understood the tough courses we take in the Natural Science college at MSU. 

I am thankful Drew encouraged us to live together freshman year because it allowed me to get to know people well and connect with them. Those connections have lasted throughout my college experience because of the community from Drew.

Also, the Drew program provided me with opportunities I would not have had without being a Drew Student. For example, in my freshman year, there was a guest speaker who came into the class and spoke about undergraduate research. After that class, I approached him, got his contact information, and he reached out to his colleagues and set me up with research my freshman year. If Dr. Caldwell had not had someone come into the class that was so kind, helpful, and approachable, I would not have had that experience doing undergraduate research my freshman year. Additionally, Drew provided me with career enrichment and programs that helped me learn how to be a good professional.

Drew provided me with opportunities and friendships I would not have had at MSU without Drew. I believe Drew made me grow as a person, provided me with opportunities, and provided me with enrichment to thrive at MSU. I know Drew supplied me with a strong foundation to succeed professionally after college along with friendships that will extend after college.”

Advice To My Peers and Successors

“The biggest piece of advice I have is that everything will work out how it is meant to be in the long run and to not over-stress about the small things. Lastly, it’s important to lean on your friends and family throughout undergrad because it is a hard four years. However, my time at MSU has been the best experience I could have imagined.”

Kamryn Sarratt

Physiology, Bachelor of Science Theatre, Additional Major Musical Theatre, Minor College of Natural Science College of Arts & Letters

Nicholas Schwartz*

Physics, Bachelor of Science Data Science, Minor College of Natural Science Honors College St. Charles, Illinois

 About

As a young child, Nick moved around a lot which cultivated in him the joy of meeting new people and having new experiences.  Becoming a student at MSU presented him with an excellent opportunity to do what he enjoys.  He has shared that and more,

“It was an amazing experience to be able to meet so many different and wonderful people in the MSU community. I was lucky to have such a supportive family during my college career who understood that college has its' ups and downs. With a complicated medical history my undergraduate career has been challenging, especially on top of COVID, but the MSU community and my family have been supportive all the way through, and now I am about to graduate with strong career aspirations.”

During his undergraduate career, he served as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant (ULA) for the following courses: 

• PHY 233B - Calculus Concepts in Physics I 
• ISP 215 - The Science of Sound
• ISP 203B - Understanding Earth:  Natural Hazards and the Environment
• ISB 202 - Applications of Environmental and Organismal Biology

For two years, he was also involved as a research assistant in the Physics Education Research Lab (PERL) for two years.  It is his hope to have a positive impact on students in the future which aligns with his career goals of obtaining a Ph.D. in Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering with a focus on computational education.  

Nick is graduating with honor from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a minor in Data Science.  After graduation, he will begin MSU’s Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering doctoral program and a graduate student in the Computational Education Research Lab (CERL).

Meaning of this Moment

Nick has shared what it means to reach this moment in his academic journey:  

“My undergraduate experience has been complicated and difficult along with everyone else here in the MSU community. From COVID to the tragic shooting that happened this last semester. I feel grateful through all the adversity that I and all of my fellow MSU students have been through that I have made it to graduation and will be going on to make a meaningful impact in my future career endeavors.”

Significance of Drew Scholars

Nick has shared his thoughts on Drew Scholars:

“The Drew Scholars program was an amazing experience, especially as an out of state student. I knew no one coming into this University and the Drew community was a very warm and welcoming one that I am very grateful to have been a part of. Outside of the community aspects, Drew also prepared me professionally to make the most out of my time as an undergraduate student. Through the seminars we took in our first and second year, I learned the skills required to not only get a job as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant (ULA), but also as an Undergraduate Research Assistant. 

Without Drew, I do not know if I would have been able to be nearly as successful as I am now.”

To My Peers and Successors

“Drew is what you make of it. I highly encourage getting involved with your fellow Drew members and the opportunities that Drew offers you. Drew is a great community, and the name carries weight across the University as hard-working and successful students. Use the skills you will learn as a Drew student and continue the tradition of being hard-working and successful students.”

Alexis Smith

Human Biology, Bachelor of Science College of Natural Science Honors College

Caiyah Stephens

Physiology, Bachelor of Science Cognitive Science, Minor Global Public Health & Epidemiology, Minor College of Natural Science

Rhiannon Stevens

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Bachelor of Science Plant, Animal, & Microbial Biotechnology, Minor College of Natural Science