The TRiO Ronald E. McNair Scholars program has been awarded a new five-year grant (2012-2017) by the U.S. Department of Education. The McNair Scholars program seeks to increase doctoral program application, matriculation, and degree attainment by underrepresented and first-generation college students. Through this experience, McNair Scholars develop higher-level academic and research skills necessary to gain admission to and successfully complete graduate study. The University of Minnesota program began in 1991 and is one of the longest running programs in the country.
This fall the program is supporting the 2012 cohort as they study for the GRE, prepare additional research project proposals, and apply to graduate school. The program is also recruiting scholars for summer 2013. However, this is a challenging time, says McNair Scholars director Anthony Albecker, as the U.S. Department of Education cut $10 million in funding for the McNair programs.
“This dramatic cut eliminated a third of all McNair programs across the country. Minnesota lost two of six programs. While I am ecstatic that the U of M McNair program will continue its strong tradition, I am mindful of the continued advocacy needed to restore McNair funding,” says Albecker.
Information about the efforts to restore McNair funding can be found here.