Become a Mentor

There are two ways to become a faculty mentor:

Faculty Nominations

Prospective McNair Scholars can be nominated for the program by a UW-River Falls faculty or academic staff member (typically the instructor with whom they will pursue their collaborative research). This model allows faculty members to identify promising, academically-talented students and commit themselves to the development of a prospective McNair Scholar. The quality of scholars that faculty members nominate is based on their perception of a prospective scholar's potential and motivation to apply to, enter, continue in, and successfully finish graduate school. Additionally, the mentor's commitment to be engaged with their scholar over the course of the two-year McNair Program sequence is critical to a student's future success in gaining admission to a graduate program.

Scholar Initiated

Prospective McNair Scholars speak with a UW-River Falls faculty member or academic staff member about their interest in becoming a McNair Scholar. If they are interested and available, the faculty member agrees to mentor the prospective scholar. This model allows prospective scholars to choose a faculty member whose research is most closely aligned with the interests of the scholar and who the student believes will be a good fit for them as they prepare for their future graduate work. The faculty member's support, knowledge and feedback will motivate and guide the scholar as they apply to, enter, continue in and successfully finish graduate school. The faculty mentor’s commitment to be engaged with their scholar over the course of the two-year McNair Program sequence is critical to a student’s future success in gaining admission to a graduate program.

If you have any questions about becoming a McNair Mentor contact the McNair office at 715-425-3528 or mcnair.scholars.program@uwrf.edu.

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