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- Name: Madison Paige Keegan
- Hometown: Claremont, New Hampshire
- School: Michigan State University
- Major: Genomics and Molecular Genetics
- 7th Brigade: Spartan Battalion - "Spartans Will!"
What makes Cadet Keegan stand out among her peers?
Cadet Madison Keegan is an emerging leader within the Spartan Battalion who takes initiative. She is an active member of the Social Media Club where her ideas and contributions have helped boost the MSU Army ROTC program’s outreach and visibility. She maintains a 3.95 GPA as a Genomics and Molecular Genetics major, and volunteers her time to fundraise for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and serve as a chemistry tutor. CDT Keegan’s commitment, initiative and volunteerism set the example for others to follow. She is an asset to Michigan State University and the Spartan Battalion.
Why did you join Army ROTC?
I joined ROTC for two main reasons - to serve and honor prior service members and to do something bigger in life and college. I have always been in sports and extra curriculars and have loved volunteering throughout high school, so I knew that I would be able to balance and benefit from joining the ROTC program. Joining ROTC and going through college gives me a step above my peers, as it teaches great responsibility and leadership among many other great qualities. ROTC also sets me up for giving back to my country. Two of my great grandfathers served in WWII, and honoring their service by stepping up and joining ROTC to serve is something I hold near to my heart.
What motivates you as a leader?
My younger and future selves motivate me as a leader. Growing up I was always the one with “bigger goals” and always strived to do better and be better. I always put myself into leadership positions and enjoyed teaching and helping my peers. One day, I would like to be a doctor at the head of a department, and I know my younger self would be in awe of the leadership position my future self worked so hard to receive. My younger self's dreams and goals are what push me to keep going, and my future self is who I trust to lead me and carry out these dreams to be a reality.
How do you manage ROTC and your other college commitments?
Keeping an organized schedule is what helps me manage ROTC and my other college commitments. I religiously use my planner, and on top of that, I make daily and weekly to-do lists. I set aside time blocks for school work around ROTC commitments, like PT and lab, and I make sure I get everything I need to get done, done in those times. Another important thing I do that helps me manage all of my college and ROTC responsibilities, is managing my stress. Working under stress and pressure and time constraints can put a damper on the quality of your work, so penciling in time to workout or read a book or take a walk is very crucial to not only my mental health, but my grades. Planners and lists and time for myself are all very simple and easy things that I do to not only help manage all of my work, but also to improve the quality of my work in both school and ROTC.
About Army ROTC
Army ROTC is one of the best leadership courses in the country and is part of your college curriculum. Through classes and field training, Army ROTC provides you with the tools to become an Army Officer without interfering with your other classes. ROTC also provides you with discipline and money for tuition while enhancing your college experience.
Army ROTC offers pathways to becoming an Army Officer for high school students, current active duty Soldiers, and for current National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers through the Simultaneous Membership Program.
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