McKenna Finley

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I wanted to come to Lewis & Clark because of the opportunities to explore a wide breadth of disciplines under the liberal arts model. I appreciated the holistic approach to education embodied by Lewis & Clark, knowing that I would be able to grow as both a learner and person during my time here. The class sizes were also appealing, and I was excited to get to know my peers and professors in such a close setting.

What have you been doing since graduation?

I have been working as a senior research assistant in a leukemia research lab at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. I have been in my lab for nearly five years, starting as a student worker during my second year of undergrad. I also spend time volunteering through Every Body Athletics and the Children’s Cancer Association. Outside of these pursuits, I try to spend as much time as I can reading, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your job?

Lewis & Clark gave me the stepping stones needed to forge a path toward becoming a physician-scientist. The biochemistry and molecular biology program instilled within me strong foundations of knowledge and critical-thinking skills, which will be crucial in my training and career. In the Hispanic studies major, I improved my cultural awareness and fluency in the Spanish language, which will help me achieve my long-term goal of becoming Spanish-language medical interpreter.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

The most important thing I learned at Lewis & Clark was how to be an aware and engaged member of my community and world.

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

I am primarily connected to Lewis & Clark through peers who are affiliated with the college, as well as the staff and leaders at College Outdoors. I hope to continue to stay in touch with my professors.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

Liberal arts is the wearing of many hats. Multidisciplinary in nature, a liberal arts education gives students exposure to a little bit of everything, adding many tools to their tool belt that they can use in their future pursuits.

What did you like or find most interesting about your majors?

In Hispanic studies, I felt like a time traveller. Studying texts from the 13th century to the modern day, I was able to experience the development of the Spanish language over time. Learning about history through the lens of fine art was fascinating, and I love any excuse to watch a movie. In biochemistry and molecular biology, I was energized by the tangible connections between scientific mechanisms and health outcomes (emphasized strongly by Dr. Gourdine in Structural and Metabolic Biochemistry), which helped to confirm my desire to pursue academic medicine.

What was your favorite class? How did it expand your knowledge?

My favorite class was Special Topics in Spanish with Professor Magalí Rabasa. We studied the contemporary history of narrative storytelling in Mexico, engaging with many topical and relevant texts. Studying the power of testimony through the lens of historically underrepresented voices, my appreciation of social movements and advocacy was deepened. I had never taken a class that focused solely on Mexico, and was so grateful to do so, learning so much about a country whose history directly influences ours.

Where did you find your community on campus?

I found my community through College Outdoors. Living in the Outdoor Pursuits Learning-Living Community introduced me to many of my best friends to this day, as well as the greater College Outdoors community. Leading trips throughout the duration of my studies, I was able to connect with leaders and participants alike, strengthening my connection with the Lewis & Clark community.

If you studied overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?

I studied abroad in Granada, Spain (the language intensive program). All of the language intensive programs available seemed interesting and impactful, but I ended up choosing Granada because I had spent much of my Hispanic studies major learning about Spanish culture and history. I was interested in immersing myself in this culture, taking my learning from the classroom setting to the real world. I highly recommend studying abroad, as this experience was an incredible catalyst for personal growth, strengthening my cultural humility and independence.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Hispanic Studies