The 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.

2019 Cohort
McNair Scholars Program 2018-2019. Our most recent cohort was inducted on November 30, 2018.

Staff

 

Molly Minus

Director
Dr. Molly Minus

Sonia Briseno

Assistant Director
sbriseno [at] stedwards.edu (Sonia Briseno)

Auburney Jackson

Graduate Assistant
ajackso3 [at] stedwards.edu (Auburney)ajackso3 [at] stedwards.edu ( Jackson)

Maria Gomez

Senior Secretary
mariadg [at] stedwards.edu (Maria Gomez)
 

Advisory Board and STEM Advisors

Advisory Board

Sarah Henseler, PhD
School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Stephanie Martinez, PhD
School of Humanities

Arcelia Hernandez, PhD
School of Human Development and Education

Andrea Holgado, 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

Eligibility, Benefits and Opportunities, and Application

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

OR

  • 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 mcnair [at] 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 due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2017.  Paper applications should be submitted in person to the McNair Scholars Office in Moody Hall, Room 126.  You may also submit via email using the link in the application.

If you have any questions, or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

2019-2020 McNair Scholars Program Application

Program Publications

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

Giving to McNair

If you would like to make a gift to support the McNairs 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 800-964-7833, 512-464-8826 or send an email to advancement [at] stedwards.edu.

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

McNair in the News

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...