CHADRON – Piper Ryschon of Scottsbluff, Neb., is Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for January.

Ryschon is a sophomore majoring in molecular biology.

“I really like science, and I want to help make a difference either through a biomedical approach or an environmental one. I have always felt a deep connection to the environment and nature, and want to help in any way I can whether through animals or people,” Ryschon said.

Ryschon has been a member of Project Strive since she arrived at Chadron State College as a freshman in the Fall of 2023.

Project Strive Retention Specialist Amanda Lewin said Ryschon has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance and has been highly active in Project Strive and on campus.

“I always look forward to seeing her in our offices, as her positive energy and warm personality brightens our day. I am excited to celebrate her achievements and can’t wait to see all the great things she will continue to accomplish,” Lewin said.

Ryschon has qualified for the President’s List each semester and she has been involved in multiple clubs and organizations including Student Senate, Chemistry Club, and Tri Beta.

Ryschon enjoys being a voice for the student body through her position on Student Senate. She enjoys hearing what her peers have to say about campus and being able to make changes that will better the school community.

She is the secretary for Chemistry Club and has participated in multiple trips to teach children and other students about science. Ryschon said she thoroughly enjoyed a Multicultural Outreach trip the club took to Gering, Nebraska, during her first semester. The club presents information and experiments to students to enlighten them on the basics of chemistry.

Ryschon was recently elected president of Tri Beta, a club that hosts informational science seminars and professional nights throughout the school year. The club works to help students build resumes and explore potential job opportunities. Ryschon enjoys listening to presenters the club invites to campus and was especially impressed by and FBI agent’s presentation. This semester, Tri Beta and the Sports Medicine Club plan to bring in a speaker who practices wilderness medicine.

Ryschon chose to attend CSC because of its affordability, proximity to her hometown, well-renowned science program, and her brother attended CSC.

Assistant Professor of Physics and Chemistry Dr. Clint Evrard has many positive remarks regarding Ryschon.

“She is one of those students that makes every day great. Piper is someone who is exceedingly intelligent while still being humble. Piper has a real tenacity. It’s been my experience that she finds time to keep up with more than a full load of credit hours and she does it with exceedingly high grades. She holds herself to the highest level and succeeds in extraordinary ways. It isn’t often that you see talent like Piper’s combined with a will to dig in and do the work for success,” Evrard said.

Evrard also mentioned how inclusive Ryschon is. She works well with her classmates, studies often with her peers, and brings joy to the people around her. He is glad that Ryschon is being recognized for this award, and all that she does, because Evrard said Ryschon is not the kind of person to seek recognition for her achievements.

Ryschon has received multiple awards during her short time at CSC. She was one of the Unsung Heroes acknowledged at the Rising Sophomore ceremony in 2024. This award is for students who work behind the scenes and go above and beyond the call of duty. She also received an award from the science department at the ceremony.

Ryschon has been accepted into Institutional Development Award Program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). She will receive a two-year scholarship to complete biomedical research for the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center during the next two summers. Ryschon will also be able to use the scholarship during the school year by completing biomedical research for CSC.

Ryschon has enjoyed learning about genetics during her time at Chadron State.

“I think genetics is very interesting, and it relates to the career I am pursuing. I can definitely see myself researching topics regarding genetics in the future,” Ryschon said.

When Ryschon has free time, she enjoys fishing, hiking, hanging out with friends, and reading.

After Ryschon graduates in May 2027, she plans to attend graduate school and specialize in either environmental remediation or biomedicine.