It’s early in the morning and still dark out when a group of cadets with the Fresno State Army ROTC program gather at Warmerdam Field on campus. One by one, they complete a series of high-intensity exercises meant to test their physical stamina. Around them the cold air reverberates the moonlit sky.
Leading the group is cadet Emmanuela Yorke. With a friendly, but powerful, demeanor, she provides guidance and training to underclassmen as they prepare for the Army Fitness Test.
Later that morning, as the sun finally peaks its way over the horizon, Yorke changes out of her cadet uniform in exchange for blue Fresno State nursing scrubs and heads to her all-day clinical rotations off campus. For the next eight to 12 hours, Yorke transforms into a nurse in training, providing real-time care to patients, while receiving one-on-one instruction from her preceptor.
“Putting on my different uniforms shifts my mindset, responsibilities and level of discipline,” said Yorke of her multifaceted roles.Â
On some days, Yorke balances both Army ROTC and nursing courses and labs simultaneously. On other days, she’s receiving clinical nurse training at facilities like Saint Agnes Medical Center, Community Regional Medical Center and the Fresno VA Medical Center, to name a few. She repeats this routine five days a week.
Yorke is one of 61 cadets in the Army ROTC program who balances full-time courses in their chosen major in addition to courses and labs in military science. The program prepares students for careers in the U.S. Army through a combination of classroom instruction, unique training activities and interactive laboratories.
Yorke will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in nursing during the School of Nursing’s fall 2025 pinning ceremony at 1 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Fresno High School’s Royce Hall, followed by her commissioning into the U.S. Army at the rank of second lieutenant at 9 a.m. on Jan. 9 at the Clovis Veteran’s Memorial District.
This is a path the San Jose State transfer student and U.S. Army reserve soldier did not initially see coming when she began Fresno State’s baccalaureate nursing program in fall 2023.
“I remember being on campus for Dog Days and coming across a Fresno State Army ROTC recruiter who gave me more information about the program,” Yorke said. “I had planned to go into active duty eventually, and I always knew I wanted more for myself, so this was a good fit for me.”
While balancing her already rigorous nursing courses, Yorke decided to dually enroll in the Army ROTC program. Choosing to become an Army nurse was a natural fit for Yorke, whose heart of service and a leadership mindset have shaped her goals of working in critical care or behavioral health.
“As a Christian, I want to serve those around me,” Yorke said. “Being an Army nurse will allow me to do that. It’s very fulfilling.”
This past summer, she had the unique opportunity to expand on her nurse training through the Nurse Summer Training Program – a prestigious four-week clinical program by the U.S. Army ROTC that gives nursing cadets hands-on, real-world clinical experience at a military treatment facility. All participants work with a skilled Army nurse and must complete 120 clinical hours.
Yorke was assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Known as the “The President’s Hospital,” the center provides care to senior government officials, including the president, vice president, members of Congress and Supreme Court justices, among others.
Day-to-day patients at the hospital include active-duty service members and military veterans.
“It gave me firsthand experience of what exactly I’ll be doing as a second lieutenant, fresh out of nursing school,” Yorke said of her experience. “Each 12-hour shift was a different rotation, from the ICU to the medical surgical floor for wounded soldiers. Coming into this experience really helped me gain confidence, not just with my nursing skills, but in my communication with patients and staff. This really helped me during this last semester of clinicals here at Fresno State, as I felt I did a whole lot better compared to previous semesters.”
Another aspect that Yorke enjoyed during her shifts was the opportunity to meet and network with those from other branches of the military, such as the Navy and Air Force, while also having important discussions around behavioral and mental health – both prevalent issues among servicemembers.
“I’ve noticed a lot of servicemembers deal with depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts and their coping mechanisms are not the most ideal,” Yorke said. “At Walter Reed and through my clinicals at the VA hospital, I witnessed this in soldiers and veterans of all ages – some I would never even suspect, but it made me even more aware of how serious mental health is in the military. Listening to the stories of soldiers and veterans has made me more passionate about being the leader who listens and wants to help soldiers and anyone who is struggling with their mental health.”
Yorke’s exceptional leadership is not limited to the nursing profession. Through the Army ROTC program at Fresno State, Yorke earned multiple accolades including the Reserve Officers’ Association Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership qualities and high aptitude for military service; and the Professor of Military Science and Senior Military Science Instructor Athletic Award for her outstanding athletic performance, resilience and determination, achieving the highest Army Fitness Test score among female cadets in the Bulldog Battalion.
“For Cadet Yorke, leadership is not just an attribute or competency, it is a commitment,” said Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Harrison, chair of the Department of Military Science at Fresno State. “She consistently demonstrates strong work ethic, resilience and a dedication to excellence in both her academic and military training. As she embarks on this next phase of her journey, Cadet Yorke continues to demonstrate the qualities of a leader, scholar, and soldier, paving the way for a promising career in both military and medical service.”
