Students complete McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

November 19, 2021 – Five University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have recently completed the Summer Research Institute with the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. The McNair Program prepares eligible scholars to pursue a graduate program following the completion of their undergraduate degree at UW-River Falls.

Students completing their work include:

Charlie Huschka, of Necedah, is a senior majoring in elementary education. During the Summer Research Institute, Huschka researched social media literacy and training within college athletics under the mentorship of Associate Athletics Director Kellen Wells-Mangold and Marketing Communications Assistant Professor David Bonko. He plans to pursue his master’s degree in athletic administration in the fall of 2022.

Crystal Malagon, of Willmar, Minn., is a senior majoring in psychology. During the Summer Research Institute, Malagon researched stigma surrounding mental health in the Hispanic community under the mentorship of Psychology Professor Cyndi Kernahan. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in counseling psychology in the fall of 2022.

Ashley McGee, of Hudson, is a senior art and marketing communications major. During the Summer Research Institute, McGee researched motherhood brand creation on Instagram under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Marketing Communications Amber Mitchell. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in communication studies with an emphasis in media and digital studies after graduation.

Jaidan Scheunemann, of Lake Geneva, is a senior biomedical science major. During the Summer Research Institute, Scheunemann researched the evolution of occupational therapy under the mentorship of Biology Professor Timothy Lyden. She plans to pursue her doctorate in occupational therapy in the fall of 2023.

Ara Smith, of Newport, Minn., is a senior majoring in horticulture. During the Summer Research Institute, Smith researched cluster thinning on great white and green giant tomatoes under the mentorship of Horticulture Assistant Professor Sonja Maki. He plans to study applied plant sciences with a focus on plant breeding in the fall of 2023.

For more information about the McNair Scholars Program at UW-River Falls, visit https://www.uwrf.edu/McNair-Program/ or email mcnair.scholars.program@uwrf.edu.