The McNair Scholars Program (named for Challenger crew member Ronald E. McNair) is a federally funded TRIO program at higher education institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico from the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral degree attainment through involvement in academic research, conference presentations, faculty mentoring, and other scholarly activities.
- Support talented, highly motivated scholars as they strive to achieve their educational goals
- Provide scholars with a foundation for graduate school success through seminars, workshops, campus visits, research experience, and academic conferences
- Create academic, financial, and social support for scholars to contribute scholarship within their academic discipline
- Cultivate an interdisciplinary community of like-minded scholars within a cohort-based model
- Engage in research. All Scholars conduct research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. By completing quality research projects, students receive a realistic picture of graduate school scholarship, while learning the skills needed to succeed in doctoral programs.
- Develop and deliver professional research presentations. McNair Scholars present their research at selected research symposia. In addition, students have the opportunity to travel to professional conferences and to network with faculty and graduate students through membership in professional organizations.
- Enroll in McNair Research Courses. Scholars enroll in two research methods courses to refine their academic skills within an interdisciplinary emphasis. In addition, scholars will attend workshops and seminars focused on topics related to the graduate school application process, including how to identify graduate programs that "fit" their needs and interests, securing financial assistance and how to navigate graduate school.
- McNair stipend. Scholars receive an educational incentive up to $2,800.00 per year, along with housing during their summer research internship. Scholars will also receive up to $1,500.00 for research materials and supplies.
- Mentoring. Each student selects a faculty mentor in their academic discipline who provides guidance throughout the undergraduate research process and advice during the graduate school application process. Mentors serve as role models and are an essential resource for their McNair Scholar.
- Academic development. Individual academic counseling from program staff and faculty mentors enables students to maximize their undergraduate program experience and to prepare for graduate study.
- Supportive scholarly, social, and cultural environment. Scholars engage with others through McNair research seminars and other group events.
- Funding for graduate school campus visits and conferences. Scholars may receive funding to travel to meet with graduate school faculty and to learn more about graduate programs in order to make their final graduate school decision. In addition, scholars will receive funding to attend regional and/or national conferences to disseminate their research and to network with professionals in their field.
- Lee University’s McNair Scholars Program has a strong track record of preparing students to compete for funded graduate school positions. To date, our scholars have been offered over ten million dollars in funding for graduate school.
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Undergraduate students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply to the Lee McNair Scholars Program:
- Undergraduate students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply to the Lee University McNair Scholars Program:
- A first-generation college student with a maximum income level established by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Full-time student at Lee University that has completed 60 credit hours by summer prior to joining the program
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
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Academically strong student with a a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above
Who Was Ronald E. McNair?
Ronald E. McNair (1950-1986) was born and raised in Lake City, South Carolina. He came from a low-income family, but was determined to excel in academia and life. He graduated as the valedictorian of Carver High School in 1967, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics, magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T University. In 1976, he received his Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ronald McNair was nationally recognized for his work in laser physics and was one of the thirty-five applicants selected by NASA from a pool of ten thousand. In 1984, McNair became the second African American to make a flight into space. He was a mission specialist on the space shuttle Challenger. He was a member of the crew when the Challenger exploded nine miles over the Atlantic after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 28, 1986.
McNair exemplified excellence and was the recipient of several honorary doctorates, fellowships and commendations. In 1989, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program was established by the U.S. Department of Education to prepare eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Lee University is tasked with honoring McNair’s legacy by challenging, encouraging, and supporting scholars to high academic excellence and doctoral degree attainment.