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The
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is an
exciting effort designed to encourage low-income individuals who
are first-generation college students and/or traditionally underrepresented
in graduate education to pursue doctoral study. The McNair Program
funded by the U.S. Department of Education, proposes to motivate
and prepare promising students for graduate study. Named for the
Challenger space shuttle crew member, the Ronald E. McNair Program
serves as a living memorial to a man who overcame insurmountable
odds to be awarded his Ph.D. in physics and
later, to realize his dream of becoming an astronaut for NASA.
At
California State University, Fresno, the McNair Program is divided into six components:
•
One-week Summer Session of Orientation to the McNair Program
and to university teaching and technology.
• Fall Semester Seminar Series and Research Institute designed
to enhance knowledge about graduate school requirements, to
refine research skills, and to prepare for the GRE.
•
Spring Semester Meetings for McNair Scholars and submissions
of research proposals.
• Summer Session Intensive GRE Workshop.
•
Eight-week paid Summer Research Project for selected students
under the guidance of a faculty mentor at California State University,
Fresno.
• Fall and Spring Semester Follow-up geared toward the completion
and filing of graduate school applications.
As
a result of participating in the McNair Program, McNair Scholars
will gain demonstrable research skills, acquire valuable knowledge
about graduate education and how to access it, and increase their
chances of applying for and being successful in doctoral study.
In addition, McNair Scholars will become familiar with the research
environment of a major university and establish a supportive network
of scholarly professionals and peers. McNair Scholars will be
responsible for the completion of a carefully planned research
assignment under the direction of a faculty mentor for which they
may be selected to receive a stipend of up to $2,700 to defray
costs of participation in the summer research project. Upon completion
of the program, McNair Scholars will continue to enjoy access
to McNair seminars, lectures, and assistance with the graduate
application process. Two hundred dollars is available to offset
application process costs for scholars applying to two or more
academic doctoral programs.
The
Ronald E. McNair Program at California State University, Fresno,
benefits from the joint-sponsorship of the Division of Graduate
Studies and the Division of Student Affairs. The facilities of
both offices are made available to McNair Scholars to ensure their
continued educational advancement. The McNair Program provides
scholars with a comprehensive program of support and preparation
for graduate study.
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