McNair Program receives funding for additional 5 years

McNair Program receives funding for additional 5 years October 22, 2007Susan Feightnersfeightn@syr.edu

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at Syracuse University was recently awarded funding for an additional five years by the U.S. Department of Education. SU’s application received perfect scores from all three reviewers, placing it within the top 10 percent of the 318 eligible applications received by the Department of Education. This increased SU’s award from a four-year award to a five-year award totaling $1,157,200, or $231,440 per year.

The McNair program is designed to prepare sophomore and junior students for doctoral studies leading to careers as college and university professors and is the primary source of graduate preparation for first-generation students, students from underrepresented groups, and students demonstrating acute financial need.

“This five-year award ensures that Syracuse can continue to provide access initiatives for our enterprising students, especially in the area of graduate preparation,” said Christabel Sheldon, Associate Director of McNair. “It will allow our scholars to engage with some of our best faculty on their research projects. Scoring within the top ten percent of the national applicant pool suggests that our plan to produce a more diverse graduate and doctoral student population, although ambitious, is attainable. This is scholarship in action.”

Sheldon said the funds will allow students to engage in a wide range of comprehensive scholarly activities and provide the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for entry into graduate school and consequently, the attainment of a graduate degree.

“Through a supportive network of faculty, staff and graduate students, we aim to build/ enhance the strengths of our most promising students and to help ease the burdens that keep many from attaining bachelor’s and graduate degrees,” Sheldon said.

The McNair program was named after the late Dr. Ronald E. McNair, one of seven U.S.S. Challenger space shuttle crewmembers who met with tragedy in January of 1986. McNair lead an accomplished life in many fields of human endeavor, including higher education and science. He was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his Ph.D. in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the age of 26.

For more information about the McNair program, go to http://www.mcnair.syr.edu or call 443-2622.