August 29, 2014
McNair Scholars complete summer research internship
On July 30, the McNair Scholars Program at K-State concluded its summer research internship with presentations by 15 scholars of their research to an audience of fellow scholars, program staff and alumni, faculty mentors, graduate students, friends and family members, and K-State administrators. The event took place at the Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research.
The scholars who presented were chosen for the program in fall 2013 and started working on their projects this past spring under the guidance of selected faculty mentors in their academic areas of interest. The summer research internship began on June 9 and involved intensive work with mentors, as well as weekly meetings with McNair staff to monitor and support their progress. The scholars also spent four hours a week in a class preparing them to take the Graduate Records Examination, or GRE, a standardized test required for admittance to most graduate programs.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is administrated by the Federal Department of Education and authorized by Congress to prepare academically talented undergraduates for success in graduate studies. To be eligible, students must be low-income and in the first generation from their families to complete a bachelor's degree, and/or from an ethnic group underrepresented in graduate study. The goal of the program is to increase the number of people from these groups holding doctorates and serving in the ranks of faculty and researchers. The students receive a stipend to support their participation in the summer internship.
The 15 scholars who presented on Wednesday were Obdulia Covarrubias, Liberal; Alan Duong, Wichita; Monica Farfan, Andover; Angela Glean, Overland Park; Lucas Gorentz, Arma; Simone Holliday, Kansas City; Jessie Lyne, Lincoln; Ora McIntosh, Milford; Mary Muckey, Milford; Tobi Omodehinde, Lenexa; June Ramirez, Manhattan; Victoria Sears, Shawnee; Stevie St. Clair, Portis; Derrick Till, Manhattan; and Shai Washington, Lenexa.
The McNair program is currently recruiting new participants, which will continue until all openings are filled. We will begin screening on Sept. 12. Eligible students with an interest in graduate study are encouraged to apply. Faculty and staff who know of good candidates should refer them to the program and/or contact the McNair office.