If Cooper McKenna ’24 had followed the traditional pre-medicine academic route, she likely would have taken a host of biology and science courses. But one of her greatest joys as a CMC student was working on projects that combined medicine and liberal arts. “I truly received a well-rounded education. I’m so grateful,” said McKenna, a biology major. She also learned to juggle a multitude of activities—she was a member of ROTC and was on the water polo team. Her hard work paid off—she was valedictorian and a Top 30 Honoree for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, giving her the opportunity to attend the NCAA Convention.
Today, McKenna is busy applying for medical school while working as a medical assistant at an ophthalmology clinic in San Francisco. She shared how Claremont McKenna shaped and prepared her for her next chapter.
How did your experience as a scholar-athlete shape you as a person and student?
My experience as a scholar-athlete gave me a sense of balance and fullness during my time in college. Now that I’m working full time, I often tell people one of my struggles is spending a full workday doing just one thing, while in college my “workday” could consist of such a spread of different activities: a water polo practice, an anatomy class, a lunch practicing Chinese at Oldenborg (Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations at Pomona College), thesis research in the lab, a homework trip to the Hub with a friend and a matcha, and a team lift in Roberts. It was always a mix of different parts of my brain (and body!). Though there’s no way now to truly replicate that, I strive to keep my life balanced and have goals in different areas of life, as I did at CMC. This was helpful in college to feel like I was taking breaks from immediate pressures in certain areas of life by rotating my focus among different ones.
Tell us about your participation in ROTC and what you learned from it?
Before my senior year of high school, I had never even heard of ROTC or foreseen myself joining the military. I first stumbled upon it as a way to pay for school, and I was intrigued by the opportunity. I didn’t know what to expect, which scared me, but also excited me. Being at the other end of it now, I believe it was one of the most defining experiences of my life. I learned a lot about working with different types of people in high-pressure scenarios, people from all backgrounds, political beliefs, classes, and personalities. ROTC was also significant in developing my resilience. It was the hardest thing I’ve done, but it gave me so much more confidence in my being “tough” enough to get through challenges and discomforts that I previously thought I could never do. As a first-year student, I often felt dread and a huge weight on my shoulders. I learned, however, that I could not only get through these challenges, but actually excel at them with the necessary investment, whether it was rucking marches, land navigation, shooting a rifle, or leading platoon missions. Now, when I look ahead to other challenges on the horizon that are intimidating, I have greater confidence knowing that it’s okay—I’ll get there when the time comes.
You received many accolades as a CMCer, including being named valedictorian and a Top 30 Honoree for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. How did these help shape you?
Both these recognitions were huge honors. To me, they are really reflections of how blessed I’ve been. I’m proud of the work I put in, but more than anything else, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunities, resources, and, most of all, people around me to have helped me to where I am. For example, when I think of my teammates and how hardworking and talented they all are, I think any recognition I’ve gotten in the sport is a big testament to each and every one of them as well.
How did your time at CMC prepare you for post-graduation?
I am grateful for how well-rounded an education I got at CMC. I received a strong education in Biology as well as across a wide variety of other subjects, making me much more prepared for my future goals of pursuing a career in medicine.
For example, one summer I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for Professor Esther Chung-Kim for her project on the democratization of medicine in early modern Europe and the role of Christianity. As a science major, I never would have thought I’d do research in religious studies. But getting to do a deeper dive on the history of medicine from a humanities point of view gave me a valuable perspective on the broader historical context of the field.
Who are your mentors from your time at CMC?
I am so grateful for Biology Professor Pete Chandrangsu and his mentorship during my senior year through my thesis project! I learned so much from him in the lab and throughout the writing process.
My water polo coaches, Greg Lonzo and Dave Merryman, led me through so much growth as an athlete and leader, and were part of the best final three years of my sport I could’ve hoped for.
Finally, I continue to look up to my friends Robin Peterson and Lauryn Jeans, class of 2022, who were such inspirations to me in their balance of school, athletics, ROTC, and social lives. They so warmly welcomed me into CMC as a first-year, while we were still off-campus due to COVID, and were always there to guide me through my four years, even after they had graduated.
How would you describe the CMC community?
Balanced. Both in an academic sense, as I mentioned previously, but also in a personal sense. I felt my peers were such multifaceted people who were always surprising me with a wide breadth of interests and talents.
What were some of your favorite experiences while at CMC?
My most memorable weekend at CMC included finishing my first seven-hour practice MCAT, going to the 100 Days Party in downtown L.A., and then joining the OI (Outdoor Initiative) club the next day to ski Mount Baldy and surf in San Clemente on the much-anticipated ski-surf trip. It was an exhausting 28 hours, but so much fun and so encapsulating to me of being at CMC.
Another favorite experience at CMC was just the regular post-workout Collins breakfasts with my water polo teammates or ROTC friends. I miss sitting down with my Denver scramble and French toast casserole and chia pudding yogurt, getting to just reset for the day and enjoy everyone’s company.
Why is it important for you to be involved at CMC and/or give back?
When I look at my life so far, I am overwhelmed by just how much I’ve been given—opportunities, abilities, resources, and especially supportive people at every step of the way. And if I’ve been given all that, then what else is there, but for me to give back and pay forward!
How did your thesis impact you personally/professionally?
Thesis was by far my academic highlight of my time at CMC. I worked in Professor Chandrangsu’s lab doing an independent project on antibiotic resistance and phage therapy. It felt like the pay-off phase of all the time I’d put into Biology courses, and it was the time I’ve felt most viscerally a passion for learning and an eagerness to stay tuned to continued research on the topic. As I got more confident and independent in the lab, I really came to enjoy my time there and the investment I had in every step.