A new UNC School of Nursing program for military-affiliated students will expand assured admission opportunities for highly qualified ROTC Nurse Corps midshipmen and cadets to earn Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees.

Beginning next year, the school will provide up to 15 students per admission cycle with direct entry into the BSN Military Pathway while maintaining the academic standards that are essential to success in the nursing curriculum. As with all assured admissions students, participants must be admitted through Undergraduate Admissions and meet the established academic requirements to ensure they are well prepared for success in the nursing curriculum.

The program will offer an allocation of 15 total seats with five seats designated for each of the three participating branches: Army, Navy and Air Force.

Dean Valerie Howard said this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen the pathway for talented ROTC Nurse Corps midshipmen and cadets who are preparing to serve as military nurses.

“I am especially grateful to the many colleagues across Carolina Nursing and our ROTC programs who have dedicated the past year to developing, refining and bringing this agreement to fruition,” said Howard. “Their collaboration, persistence and commitment to this shared vision have been instrumental in making this opportunity possible. We are proud to partner in preparing highly qualified, service-minded nurses, and we look forward to welcoming future military nurses to Carolina Nursing.”

Kacy McAdoo, assistant dean in the Office of Student Affairs, said the program represents a “thread of service” between the ROTC and the school and streamlines ROTC students’ pathways to serving as military nurses.

“This expanded position reflects the school’s commitment to collective well-being and responsible growth for the military-affiliated student population,” she said. “Not only will these students have the support of their ROTC units here on campus, but they will also become a part of our community from Day 1, so that the School of Nursing will become part of their support network,” she said.

“The Carolina ROTC units are proud to announce our partnership with the UNC School of Nursing. Our programs are seeking students who are willing to go above and beyond in the service of others. This new facet of the assured admissions pipeline will bring the next generation of courageous, committed and compassionate leaders to Chapel Hill and the Nurse Corps,” said Capt. Andrew Cain, chair of the naval science department in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences.

Marlena ‘Lena’ Brokob is the school’s military pathways and student support coordinator. In this role, Brokob will provide strategic leadership and dedicated support for military-affiliated students — active-duty service members, reservists and veterans — across all school programs.

Brokob will lead recruitment, admissions, academic advising, mentorship and curriculum innovation for military pathway students, build partnerships with ROTC and organizations such as the U.S. Navy Duty Under Instruction program, and guide the development of new pathways.

Brokob served nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. She led training oversight and standardization efforts for more than 200 personnel in her final assignment within the quality assurance department. Following her own transition to civilian life as a transfer student in the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program, she helped reinvigorate the Carolina Veterans Organization, represented student veterans before the UNC Board of Trustees and contributed to establishment of the Military and Veteran Student Success Center.  “I am particularly interested in the opportunity to expand military pathway initiatives within the School of Nursing by strengthening support structures that enhance recruitment, retention and long-term student success,” said Brokob.

The new program will begin with the admissions cycle for the 2027-28 academic year.