McNair Scholars on Trajectory to Ph.D. and Doctorate Education | May 2017
“Encouraging McNair Scholars to think about graduate school from day one, is our primary goal,” said Kate Torrey, Assistant Director for McNair/LSAMP Scholars Programs. “We support our McNair scholars, as they complete their undergraduate studies and ensure they are exposed to the opportunities, requirements and benefits of various graduate degree programs.” added Torrey.
The McNair Scholars program was created in honor of astronaut Ronald McNair by US Congress. McNair’s memory and contributions are honored as this program seeks to support promising students from under-represented groups to prepare for graduate education as undergraduate students. The McNair Scholars’ educational journey is enhanced as they conduct research, have mentors and explore their fields more in depth.
Now, as graduation approaches, at least four McNair Scholars as graduating seniors are eager to culminate one milestone, as they’ll begin their Doctoral degrees in the fall of 2017.
Tiffany Cao, is a fourth-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in exercise science. Tiffany was accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University at Buffalo, starting this fall.
Ana Cartaya, is a fourth-year student majoring in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience. Ana was accepted to a Ph.D. program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying Biological and Biomedical Sciences this fall.
Brendan John, a fifth-year student majoring in Computational Mathematics and Masters in Computer Science. This fall Brendan will enter a Ph.D. program at the University of Florida studying Computer Science, primarily focusing on Computer Graphics and Applied Perception.
Melissa Mendoza, a fifth-year student majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology. This fall Melissa will enter a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program at Binghamton University, primarily focusing on tissue engineering.
Each of these students entering Ph.D. programs have earned full tuition waivers and stipends from their respective learning institutions. At the time of this writing, several other McNair Scholars are still waiting to receive all their graduate school acceptances and make final enrollment decisions. We’re certainly cheering for their success as they deliberate on their graduate school choices.
The McNair Scholars Program is open to AALANA students, as well as non-AALANA students who are the first in their family to go to college and meet the federal eligibility guidelines for low income. All students must have a 3.0 GPA to apply. New applicants are accepted into the program every fall.