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    MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM

    Expanding higher education opportunities.

    The Ronald E. McNair Program has both a Spelman and Morehouse Scholars Program that encourages low-income and first-generation college students and students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups to expand their educational opportunities by enrolling in a Ph.D. program and ultimately pursuing an academic career. We designed our program specifically for STEM majors. We are a year-round graduate school preparatory program with an eight-week summer research component designed to prepare first-generation undergraduates demonstrating the strong academic potential for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The program provides research opportunities, faculty mentors, opportunities to publish and present research findings, and assistance with the graduate school application process.

    The U.S. Department of Education fully funded the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and named it in honor of Dr. Ronald McNair, an African American astronaut. He died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. President George W. Bush posthumously awarded McNair the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

    On January 28, 1986, Congress provided funding for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The late Dr. Rubye J. Byrd, the Morehouse College TRIO director for 40 years, was instrumental in fighting for this program to receive funding.

     

    About the MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM

    • Why Participate in Our Program

      Why Participate in Our Program

      The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is committed to providing the support and tailored services that enhance your collegiate experience. We strive to promote an environment designed to give you the support, tools, and worldly experiences to succeed as highly competitive scholars and leaders by addressing your academic and personal needs to improve your chances for success at the graduate level.

      The McNair program focuses on preparing our participants for successful graduate study through exposure to graduate-level work and research experiences geared toward improving your critical thinking skills. The McNair experience fosters an increase of knowledge and familiarity with the ins and outs of graduate study and the graduate school application process and the essential elements of research.

      We are confident that our support and guidance combined with your abiding drive and determination will ensure you reach a level of academic, personal, and professional success beyond comparison. 

    • Eligibility

      Eligibility

      Highly motivated, disciplined, hard-working, college-level rising juniors and seniors, who are:

      • U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.
      • First-generation college students with demonstrated financial need
      • Historically underrepresented minorities at the graduate level
      • Good academic standing (3.0 or higher GPA desired)
      • STEM Majors (Science, Technology. Engineering, Mathematics)
    • Important Information

      You must:

      • Contact and confirm the participation of a faculty advisor to support and supervise the research program.
      • Participate in a research experience with a faculty mentor. You must meet and consult with your advisor regularly throughout the term.
      • Attend McNair Summer Courses (Research Methodology and Professional Development)
      • Submit preliminary assignments and a final research paper that should reflect the time spent engaged in research (15-20 pages)
    • Program Benefits

      Program Benefits

      • Eight-week paid summer research program plus room/board
      • Research and graduate school application assistance
      • Interactive workshops and seminars
      • Travel assistance to present research nationally
      • Graduate school tours
      • Faculty mentorship
      • Research with a faculty mentor
      • Counseling and advising sessions
      • Cultural events and activities
      • Networking opportunities
      • Support for publishing research findings
      • Opportunities for personal and academic development
      • Involvement in professional development activities
    • Apply

      Ready to Apply?

    • Contact Staff

      Who to Contact

      Dr. Nythea Tolbert
      Assistant Director - TRIO Collegiate
      Programs
      nythea.tolbert@morehouse.edu
      (404) 273-0798

      Tyrahn Brown, MBA
      Morehouse McNair Program Manager
      tyrahn.brown@morehouse.edu 
      (470) 639-0204

      Kai Harmon
      SpelHouse McNair Program Manager
      kai.harmon@morehouse.edu

      Dr. Ethell Vereen, Jr.
      Morehouse McNair Research Coordinator
      ethell.vereen@morehouse.edu 
      (470) 639-0534

      Dr. Rosalind Gregory-Bass
      Spelman McNair Research Coordinator
      RBass@spelman.edu 
      (404) 270-5773

    • Stay Connected

      Find Us on Social Media

      Morehouse McNair
      Instagram:  @morehousemcnair

      Facebook:  @morehousemcnair


      Spelman McNair

      Instagram: @spelmanmcnair

      Facebook: @spelmanmcnair

    Why Participate in Our Program

    The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is committed to providing the support and tailored services that enhance your collegiate experience. We strive to promote an environment designed to give you the support, tools, and worldly experiences to succeed as highly competitive scholars and leaders by addressing your academic and personal needs to improve your chances for success at the graduate level.

    The McNair program focuses on preparing our participants for successful graduate study through exposure to graduate-level work and research experiences geared toward improving your critical thinking skills. The McNair experience fosters an increase of knowledge and familiarity with the ins and outs of graduate study and the graduate school application process and the essential elements of research.

    We are confident that our support and guidance combined with your abiding drive and determination will ensure you reach a level of academic, personal, and professional success beyond comparison. 

    Eligibility

    Highly motivated, disciplined, hard-working, college-level rising juniors and seniors, who are:

    • U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.
    • First-generation college students with demonstrated financial need
    • Historically underrepresented minorities at the graduate level
    • Good academic standing (3.0 or higher GPA desired)
    • STEM Majors (Science, Technology. Engineering, Mathematics)

    You must:

    • Contact and confirm the participation of a faculty advisor to support and supervise the research program.
    • Participate in a research experience with a faculty mentor. You must meet and consult with your advisor regularly throughout the term.
    • Attend McNair Summer Courses (Research Methodology and Professional Development)
    • Submit preliminary assignments and a final research paper that should reflect the time spent engaged in research (15-20 pages)

    Program Benefits

    • Eight-week paid summer research program plus room/board
    • Research and graduate school application assistance
    • Interactive workshops and seminars
    • Travel assistance to present research nationally
    • Graduate school tours
    • Faculty mentorship
    • Research with a faculty mentor
    • Counseling and advising sessions
    • Cultural events and activities
    • Networking opportunities
    • Support for publishing research findings
    • Opportunities for personal and academic development
    • Involvement in professional development activities

    Ready to Apply?

    Who to Contact

    Dr. Nythea Tolbert
    Assistant Director - TRIO Collegiate
    Programs
    nythea.tolbert@morehouse.edu
    (404) 273-0798

    Tyrahn Brown, MBA
    Morehouse McNair Program Manager
    tyrahn.brown@morehouse.edu 
    (470) 639-0204

    Kai Harmon
    SpelHouse McNair Program Manager
    kai.harmon@morehouse.edu

    Dr. Ethell Vereen, Jr.
    Morehouse McNair Research Coordinator
    ethell.vereen@morehouse.edu 
    (470) 639-0534

    Dr. Rosalind Gregory-Bass
    Spelman McNair Research Coordinator
    RBass@spelman.edu 
    (404) 270-5773

    Find Us on Social Media

    Morehouse McNair
    Instagram:  @morehousemcnair

    Facebook:  @morehousemcnair


    Spelman McNair

    Instagram: @spelmanmcnair

    Facebook: @spelmanmcnair