McNair Scholars Program

A Proud Tradition at St. Edward's University Since 2003

Since 2003, the McNair Scholars Program has proudly and consistently attracted the best and brightest scholars who have taken full advantage of everything that the program has to offer. Numerous program alumni have gone on to be awarded fellowships and to be accepted into graduate programs across the United States where they have pursued and achieved their goals in doctoral, professional, and other graduate programs. Every year a new cohort is inducted into our program to continue the proud McNair Scholars tradition.

The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase the attainment of doctoral degrees by students who come from underrepresented segments of society, and there is no question that the program is successful in fulfilling its mission to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants in the McNair Scholars Program come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. A majority are low-income and first-generation college students. They're united in their goal to pursue doctoral studies.

The program provides funding for faculty-directed research that includes an incentive for scholars. In addition, McNair scholars benefit from visits to graduate schools they're interested in attending, academic counseling, course tutoring, attending professional conferences, preparing for GRE exams, and receiving advice and assistance with the graduate school selection and application process.

The McNair Scholars Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and by St. Edward's University.

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The 2021-2022 cohort was inducted into the McNair Scholars Program in December 2021.

Advisory Board

Stephanie Martinez, PhD
School of Humanities

Trish Baynham, PhD
School of Natural Sciences

Kathleen Wilburn, PhD
School of Management and Business

Jeannetta Williams, PhD
School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

STEM Advisors

Lisa M. Goering, PhD
School of Natural Sciences

Jason Callahan, PhD
School of Natural Sciences

Objective 1

90 percent of McNair participants served during the project year will have completed appropriate research or scholarly activities during the McNair program academic year.

Objective 2

50 percent of McNair Program bachelor’s degree recipients (or equivalent) will be accepted and enrolled in a post baccalaureate program of study by the fall term of the academic year immediately following the completion of the bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).

Objective 3

95 percent of first year graduate students will continue to be enrolled in graduate school at the beginning of the fall term of the next academic year.

Objective 4

10 percent of McNair Program participants served will attain a doctoral degree within ten (10) years after attainment of the bachelor’s degree.

Eligibility Requirements

Applications are available to all eligible full-time students at St. Edward’s University.

Eligibility requirements include:

GPA of 2.7 or better.
Have completed at least 60 hours of college credit by the end of the spring semester and have at least 1 year remaining before graduation. Students with at least 45 hours of college credit but less than 60 hours may still apply for the program and participate in a number of activities that will prepare them for full participation in the Summer Research Experience once they have earned 60 credit hours.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Low-income and first generation college student

A member of a group underrepresented in doctoral study (e.g., Hispanic, Black, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Native American Pacific Islander).
All majors are welcome to apply.

For more information, email mcnairscholars@stedwards.edu.

Benefits and Opportunities

Throughout the academic year McNair scholars receive:

Regularly scheduled seminars on topics related to graduate school preparation.
A mentoring opportunity with a faculty member who will provide guidance, advice, role modeling and an introduction to the academic profession.
Letters of recommendation.
GRE test preparation.
Visits to graduate schools.
Graduate school application fee waivers by those universities that conduct TRIO programs, as well as others.

Research

McNair scholars may also be eligible for a research internship beginning in the spring and continuing through the summer for eight weeks that includes:

A stipend of up to $2800 paid during the summer.
Paid room and board on campus for the eight weeks.
Three semester hours of tuition-free credit.
The opportunity to present research at the St. Edward’s University McNair Scholars Program Research Symposium and at national McNair Scholars conferences.

Application

APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Applications are due by noon on Friday, October 28, 2022. Please submit your PDF application and requested documents via email to mcnairscholars@stedwards.edu.

If you have any questions, or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our office. We can be reached at 512.428.1268 or by email at mcnairscholars@stedwards.edu.

2022-2023 McNair Scholars Program Application

The McNair Scholars Program publishes an annual research journal and newsletter. The journal presents work done during an 8-week summer research internship by our scholars. Our newsletter, The Orbit, highlights accomplishments, interviews with the people who help to make our program successful, and other important information.

About the McNair Scholars Program (Flyer and Brochure)

Newsletter

Journal

Summer Research Symposium Programs

If you would like to make a gift to support the McNair Scholars Program at St. Edward’s University, please donate online. In the Gift Note section of the giving form, you can designate your gift for the McNair Scholars Program.

If you have questions about making a gift or would like to speak with someone in University Advancement, please call 512-464-8826 or send an email to advancement@stedwards.edu.

Thank you for your interest in supporting the McNair Scholars Program at St. Edward’s University.

Read about Victoria Rodriguez's ('11) journey from first-generation college student to PhD recipient from Stanford. A McNair Scholar and St. Edward's alumna, Victoria's story is inspirational and moving.

https://www.stedwards.edu/articles/featured-stories/2018/09/challenge-tr...

Recognition Reception 2021

Recognition Reception 2022