Program Description

The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. Through a grant competition, grant funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to prepare eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. Institutions work closely with participants as they complete their undergraduate requirements. Institutions encourage participants to enroll in graduate programs and then track their progress through to the successful completion of advanced degrees with an overall goal to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.

The McNair Scholars Program at USM strives to create a bridge between undergraduate and graduate education. The program supports eligible undergraduates in acquiring the knowledge, skills and capacities necessary to successfully navigate the rigors of Ph.D. studies through immersion in research and a variety of scholarly activities.  Scholars are provided opportunities to work along side graduate students from various disciplines in order to gain first-hand knowledge of the various types of research being conducted at USM.  In addition, Scholars participate in several PIP (Professionals in Preparation - a professional development program designed for graduate students) activities where they learn “transferable skills” that will set them apart from others in the increasingly competitive job market. 

 

PROGRAM STAFF

Kim Brown, Assistant Director

Kimbaya.BrownFREEMississippi

601-266-6544