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UW-River Falls McNair Scholars Program Receives Renewal Grant

Aug. 30, 2012 –The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) grant at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls has been renewed by the U.S. Department of Education for 2012-2017.  The grant funds the program with $225,731 annually, and approximately 1.2 million dollars over the next five years.  

Since 1999 the UW-River Falls McNair Scholars Program at UW-River Falls has served 147 scholars in its mission to prepare first-generation, low income and underrepresented students for doctoral study. With the notification of renewal the program will be able to continue to prepare talented eligible students through rigorous engagement in undergraduate research and scholarly activity and by strategically positioning them for competitive admissions and funding to graduate programs across the country.   

The program provides ongoing faculty mentoring, monthly seminars on topics related to graduate school and research, assistance with graduate funding and fellowships, attendance and presentations at regional and national academic conferences and research symposia, as well as exposure to educational and cultural activities, financial literacy, and professional development. Each year, McNair participants complete a 10-12 week intensive summer research internship for which they receive a stipend. 

The McNair Scholars Program serves students whose families are low income (150 percent of poverty level) with neither parent having completed a four-year college degree, as well as students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Participants must be currently enrolled, nominated by faculty recommendations, interviewed and selected through an intensive application process. They must also possess a desire and demonstrated ability to pursue a Ph.D upon completion of a bachelor's degree. 

For more information about the McNair Scholars Program, contact Njia Lawrence-Porter, interim McNair Scholars program director, at 715-425-3531 or njia.lawrence-porter@uwrf.edu.

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