WTAMU McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (also known as the McNair Scholars Program) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is named after Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to fly in space. After his death in the Challenger Space Shuttle Mission, members of Congress provided funding for the McNair Scholars Program.
The McNair Scholars Program has been a part of the WTAMU campus since 1999. It is one of 23 such programs in Texas. Currently, there are 189 programs across the United States and Puerto Rico.
This program is designed to prepare qualified undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The goal of the McNair Program is to increase graduate degree attainment of students from underrepresented segments of society.
Every spring semester, applications are accepted for entrance into the WTAMU McNair Scholars Program, funding allows for 15 positions every year. Students conduct graduate-level research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The research period begins in May concluding in Mid August. An extension can be granted into September if necessary.