About
The mission of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ McNair Scholars Program is to be a national leader in developing scholars for doctoral study by providing transformative research experiences, exceptional faculty mentorship, and intentional professional and personal development.
Our Vision: To become the national leader in developing scholars for doctoral study.
What is the McNair Scholars Program?
In October 1999, the Department of Education awarded a Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Program) grant to Â鶹ÊÓƵ. This federal initiative, which is part of the TRIO Program Authority, was established in 1986 in memory of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, physicist and astronaut, who died in the space shuttle Challenger Explosion. The purpose of the McNair Program is to prepare first-generation, low-income, undergraduate students, from groups underrepresented in graduate schools, for doctoral study. McNair Scholars are engaged in a variety of activities, including mentored research, and academic and cultural seminars.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ McNair Program, known as the KSU McNair Scholars Program, is administered through University College. Our program consists of an Academic Year component and Summer Research Institute, in cooperation with the Honors College. The McNair Program is authorized for 26 students each year.
The heart of the McNair Scholars Program is the Faculty Mentor-McNair Scholar relationship. During the eight-week Summer Research Institute the KSU McNair Scholars work with Â鶹ÊÓƵ Faculty Mentors on selected research topics. McNair Scholars learn the basic principles for conducting successful research, typically in their major field of study. The Summer Research Institute culminates with the McNair Research Symposium where McNair Scholars present their research projects to the University Community.