A 2008 graduate of Illinois College in Biology and Environmental Science, Alana McKean served a summer student internship at the arboretum in 2007 and spent additional time here as a part time worker helping to transplant trees and manage the grounds. She also has earned certificates in basic lifesaving and wildland firefighting and is a certified nursing assistant. During her college life she was co-chairperson of the Illinois College Environmentalists and a Biology lab assistant, and she became a member of Beta Beta Beta, the honor society for Biology majors. With her background and outdoor interests, Alana is a natural to help manage this arboretum and its NAPCC oak collection.