Landing one research experience for undergraduates (REU) is an accomplishment for a student in the sciences. Milly McClure, a senior from Liberal, Kansas, landed four.
The physics and mathematics major spent summer 2024 in Texas A&M’s Cyclotron Institute. She helped faculty learn to use a new thermal evaporator—a machine integral to the institute’s research into using the radioactive element astatine to fight cancer.
But that’s not all.
The university sent her to a five day, expense paid workshop at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois.
“I was the youngest person there and the only undergraduate student,” Milly said. She took advantage of exposure to graduate students, postdoc fellows and professors from other institutions to get advice on selecting a graduate program.
A year earlier, she had no idea these opportunities existed, let alone would be open to her.
This story originally appeared in the 2024 HC Today.
An Unclear Path
By the end of McClure’s sophomore year, she hit a crossroads. She had quit playing softball and picked up a second major in mathematics.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what I could do with my degrees,” she said. “I knew I wanted to go grad school. I just didn’t know what for.”
Seeking insights from others who had graduated from the College’s physics department, she signed up for the Hastings College Alumni Mentoring Program and participated during the first block of her junior year.
Her mentor: Dr. Jordan Borrell ‘13, assistant professor of occupational therapy education at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
As an undergraduate at HC completing his senior capstone project in physics, Borrell constructed a robotic hand in the same labs where McClure was working and learning. His next stops included the University of Kansas for a master’s and doctorate and the University of Nebraska Omaha for postdoctoral work in clinical applications of assistive and prosthetic devices.
Along the way, he benefited from mentors’ guidance. When Kim Graviette ‘83, director of Career Services, asked him to serve as McClure’s mentor he said “yes.” It was also a wakeup call.
“Now I can actively say I have about 10 years of experience under my belt for research,” Borrell said. “I can provide that knowledge I wish I had.”
Getting Answers…and More
McClure entered the alumni mentoring program seeking answers.
What graduate programs are available? How can one pay for grad school? What does it take to get into grad school?
What she did not know to ask: how do I land a REU?
For college students from smaller colleges and universities like Hastings College, REUs provide summer opportunities to work in large research laboratories, network in their career fields of interest and explore graduate programs.
Once Borrell explained how crucial REUs can be for clarifying career goals and securing graduate school slots, he and McClure began focusing their weekly meetings on completing REU applications.
The goal: to land one REU
McClure landed REUs from the University of Arkansas, University of Kansas, University of Colorado and Texas A&M.
“The REU programs were emailing me all at the same time so I had to make pros and cons lists for which ones I really wanted to go to, what would help me in my career and what would help me get the best experience for grad school,” McClure said.
Many of those lists she compiled at 2:00 a.m. while traveling in France because the programs required responses within a week.
Borrell said he was extremely proud of McClure’s success. His advice?
“‘You’re in a lucky position where you get to choose that opportunity because you got multiple offers. So now look at the potential projects, we have the opportunity to leverage which project you get into.’ Not all students have that,” he said.
Ultimately, McClure selected the REU at Texas A&M based on the research she could do there and its location.
“I had already lived in Kansas and Colorado. I’ve never lived in a town as big as College Station,” she said.
When not in the lab, McClure enjoyed the camaraderie with undergraduates from across the country who share her interests as well as trips to see NASA’s facilities in Houston.
‘A clear path of what I want to do.’
McClure and Borrell continue to meet. As she applies to graduate programs in medical engineering or bioengineering, Borrell is reviewing her papers and applications.
“I can’t thank [Dr. Borrell] enough because he has really helped me,” she said. “And I really appreciate the mentoring program because the REU wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t met him. The REU helped me get out of my comfort zone. Now I have a clear path of what I want to do.”
Borrell credits McClure’s strong work ethic, intelligence and willingness to listen with her success thus far.
“She has a bright future ahead of her. I’m really excited to see what she accomplishes and where she goes,” said Borrell.
About the Alumni Mentoring Program
The program connects current students with alumni in their career field of interest to get career advice and insights. The pairs meet for about an hour a week for a minimum of five weeks during an eight week block. If you have questions about the program and may be interested in participating as a mentor, contact Carissa Uhrmacher ‘96 in Career Services at carissa.uhrmacher@hastings.edu or Alicia O’Donnell ‘96 in the Alumni and Foundation Office at aodonnell@hastings.edu.
