Since he was a kid Jake McKee wanted to serve his country while also following his dream of working in the medical field. The perfect opportunity arose when he learned about the Army ROTC program at Robert Morris University.

Enrolling in ROTC meant that he could study biology and pre-medicine and be put on the fast track to becoming an Army doctor. Jake’s participation in ROTC also earned him a full scholarship to RMU. 

“I love the fact that I get the opportunity to pay back what my brothers and sisters did before me in the service,” says Jake. “I feel like I owe a debt to those people who gave their lives.”

Jake works in RMU’s state-of-the-art science labs and recently completed a semester long project with his advisor, Melissa Hillwig.

“Jake is an outstanding student who is eager to learn new concepts and apply his knowledge to solving problems,” says Hillwig, assistant professor of biology. “It has been great to work with him on the Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) pathway and discuss current advances in science and how they relate to this project.”

Outside the classroom, Jake enjoys serving the local community with his fraternity brothers. He is the vice president of membership in his social fraternity, Phi Mu Delta. He also serves as a Student Philanthropy Ambassador, helping raise money for scholarships and funds across the university. 

Although Jake has a full schedule, packed with academic courses, Army cadet training, research projects, and extracurriculars, he never ceases to find ways to give back to others. 

“I can’t just do it for the people that did it before me, but I’ve got to do it for the people to the side of me, to my right and left. They have my back and I have their back and that’s what drives me forward.”