My Background

"The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the great enterprises and ideals of American society." – President John F. Kennedy

If my first year at Carolina has taught me anything, it has been how to blend my passion, reason, and courage together so that I can make my future my own. I’m Danielle McLean a 19-year-old sophomore here Carolina. As of this moment, I’m a political science major who is considering possibly double majoring in Communication Studies. I’m planning on going to law school after undergrad and one day working in the political arena.

I grew up in Rowland, North Carolina, a small southern community where everybody waves when you pass by even if they don’t know you, but usually they do. It’s kind of like Mayberry.

Deciding to go away to school was a HUGE decision. I’m from a very family oriented Native American community and coming away to school meant leaving everything I knew. But I knew that if I stayed inside my comfort zone, I’d always regret it. So I packed up my bags, headed away, and haven’t had one moment of regret since.

As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I fell in love and knew that destiny had brought me here. My first year of college was AWESOME. I met the most wonderful and intelligent, people in the world, in and outside of the classroom. I threw myself into the campus life and was challenged academically in a way I never had been before.

I’m the vice-president of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority Inc., the first Native American Sorority in the country. I joined the Carolina Indian Circle and currently serve as secretary. Right now I’m an assistant on a project the university is doing to decrease smoking in teenagers. So when people ask do I have a job, I get to tell them something that sounds really cool and important. I’m also a member of the Minority Student Recruitment Committee and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. I am a Minority Advisor for incoming freshman students and a Johnson Scholar.

With each day that passes I fall deeper and deeper in love with this beautiful place. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed I’d do great things with my life and I know that I made an important step towards greatness when I made Carolina my home.

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