For Kelly Mader, her experience at the University of Nevada, Reno has centered around an all encompassing element: community. For Mader, community is more than just a concept, it's a feeling. A feeling that brings her fulfillment and is a constant reminder of her experience as a member of the Wolf Pack. Mader will be graduating this month with a B.S. Neuroscience from the University’s College of Science.

When choosing a college to commit to at the end of high school, Mader felt the University of Nevada would be a great choice for her. As a Las Vegas local, she wanted a new adventure in a new place, and the opportunity to meet a lot of people. Four years later, Mader has not only grown a large network, but she’s instilled herself in many groups, organizations and communities. From academic achievements to studying abroad in Valencia, Spain and continued involvement in the wider-Reno community, Mader can don her cap and gown knowing she made the most of her college experience. 

Serving women and working alongside women seems really, really exciting and fulfilling to me.

In 2021 as a freshman, Mader started out as an environmental science major with a political science minor. But it didn’t take long before she realized that field wasn’t for her. She pivoted to neuroscience for a challenge. “It's not like I always had dreams of going to become a physician or anything,” Mader said. “I just gave it a shot and realized I was more capable than I had given myself credit for. I chose neuroscience on a whim and I liked it. And I'm so glad I did.”

Four years later, Mader is currently studying for her MCAT, with the goal of attending medical school. 

From studying to service

Choosing to major in neuroscience awoke Mader’s passion for serving others. Mader has been especially drawn to working with other women, drawing inspiration from her membership with Phi Delta Epsilon, the campus medical fraternity, and working with female peers in the field. She decided to combine her passion for women and women’s rights with her love for medicine. As of now, she is considering going into obstetrics. “Serving women and working alongside women seems really, really exciting and fulfilling to me,” Mader said.

Community centered 

Being involved in a community, both on campus and off, fuels Mader, and as she states, gives her a greater purpose. On campus, she worked as the special events coordinator for Dance Marathon, an organization raising money for Renown Children’s Hospital. Mader loved being able to give back and yearned to dive more into fundraising and nonprofit support. 

“I got together with my roommate and some friends and we were like, ‘let's have a house show, we could turn our backyard into a stage,’” Mader said. “I decided to do something a little bit more DIY, a little bit more grassroots.”

Thus, the DawgHouse was born. 

In July 2024, the DawgHouse, a backyard concert venue, hosted its first charity concert for the Eddy House. The DawgHouse raised more than $350 and collected 150 donation items for the Eddy House and the venue is still running concerts today. 

Providing Support at Trauma Scenes 

Mader also is part of the Trauma Intervention Program of Northern Nevada. For three 12-hour shifts each month, Mader is called onto scenes of tragedy by first responders. She uses her emotional first aid training to support survivors of a traumatic incident.

“Almost two years volunteering with the nonprofit, it definitely helped me get to know Reno on a more intimate level,” Mader said. “I feel very much a part of the community.”

On campus Mader has been a discussion leader and teaching assistant for Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology. After taking the course from Professor Emily Jackson, Mader really enjoyed the course and felt inspired by the women professors of the subject. Mader has since then worked as a TA for both Pamela Sandstrom and Elena Pravosudova.

“I feel like helping students who either are the top of their class, to those who are just trying to pass, is a humbling experience. Being able to tutor students one-on-one and customize to their needs is important to me,” Mader said. 

"Helping students who either are the top of their class, to those who are just trying to pass, is a humbling experience."

Mader is also part of a run club, the University’s tennis club, works at an ophthalmology clinic and takes zumba classes weekly at the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center. “​​I'm most fulfilled when I'm feeling like I'm really a part of the community and connected with a lot of people,” Mader said. 

After she graduates, Mader will continue to serve this Reno community she has become so involved with. In her gap year before medical school, she plans to keep studying for the MCAT while gaining more clinical hours. Four years immersed in the Wolf Pack community and Reno at large has brought Mader a strong sense of belonging. She will, she says, forever be a proud member of the Wolf Pack.