The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) is a federally funded TRIO Program designed to encourage eligible students to pursue graduate studies leading to the completion of a Doctoral degree. McNair Scholars participate in research and scholarly activities preparing them for the rigors of graduate school. Congress created this program in honor of Ronald E. McNair, Ph.D. Dr. McNair was a physicist and astronaut who died in the 1986 space shuttle Challenger explosion.

Program Eligibility Criteria

Potential scholars must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Be a low-income AND first-generation college student.

OR

• Be a member of an underrepresented racial/ethnic group in graduate education: Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and/or Native American Pacific Islander.

In addition, if potential scholars meet the initial eligibility requirements, they must also:

• Be at junior/senior status (completed 56 credits hours or more).
• Be enrolled in declared major.
• Have earned at least a 3.00 grade point average (cumulative).
• Have goal to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. If your goal is another type of advanced degree or doctoral degree, contact us at mcnair@sienaheights.edu.

Opportunities Provided

• Graduate School Visits.
• Research Projects supported by a Faculty Mentor.
• Summer Research Internship (required).
• Weekly Seminar Course (earn 1 credit hour for successful completion).
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Preparation.
• Vouchers to cover GRE cost.
• Graduate School Application waivers.
• Academic Counseling.Attending cultural events.
• Funding Opportunities (including conference attendance and graduate school visits).
• Participation Stipend.