Vol. 19, No. 18

Feb. 10, 2000

 Program prepares students
for doctoral-level study

The UD Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to prepare talented, bright students who are low-income, first generation college students or from underrepresented groups for graduate study at the doctoral level, according to Michael Stokes, arts and science, who directs the program. The national program honors physicist Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the second African-American astronaut in space, who was among those who died aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. “This is an excellent program, and we are pleased that this will be our inaugural year at UD,” Stokes said. “There are 20 openings for students, and we encourage sophomores and juniors to apply early this spring. We also hope that faculty will recommend the program to talented students with whom they interact. Once enrolled, students will commence their program participation this semester. Students must have a major in the College or Arts and Science or the College of Engineering and have 60 or more credit hours completed by the end of the spring semester to continue their participation.” The program links students with faculty mentors and provides research opportunities throughout the year. During the summer, those involved in research receive a McNair stipend of $3,000, plus room and board. One of the most important experiences for students is the opportunity to work on a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, Stokes said. Students are required to participate in a research methodology course and receive academic counseling. In addition, assistance in securing financial aid at the undergraduate and graduate level and academic tutoring are available. They also attend weekly graduate school seminars, which focus on such topics as researching graduate schools, understanding the graduate school application process and preparing for the Graduate Record Examination. In addition, the program includes funding for visits to various graduate schools throughout the country. Stokes pointed out that McNair students may apply to more than 200 graduate schools free of charge and may receive a waiver on the cost of taking their Graduate Record Examinations. For participants, the culmination of the McNair Program experience is presenting their research projects at the McNair Program Research Conference. Students also have opportunities to travel to other McNair conferences to present research and network with graduate school representatives. A 1998 study by the U.S. Department of Education has proved the program to be successful, Stokes said. While a striking 97 percent of program participants complete a bachelor’s degree, 51 percent of McNair students also matriculate into programs of graduate study, an impressive 300 percent increase over comparable populations. “The McNair Program affords a wonderful opportunity to financially and academically support talented students who desire to achieve excellence in research and scholarship,” said Maria Palacas, who coordinates the UD McNair program. For information, call Stokes or Palacas at 831-1281 or send e-mail to <mastokes@udel.edu> or <mplacas@udel.edu>. Information and on-line applications are available at <www.udel.edu/mcnair>. –Sue Moncure