TRIO McNair Scholars Program
MCNAIR POWERS THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOLARS AND INDUSTRY LEADERSMcNair Scholars develop higher-level academic and research skills necessary to gain admission to and complete graduate study through a comprehensive summer experience and academic year programming. The federally funded TRIO McNair Scholars program seeks to increase doctoral program application, matriculation, and degree attainment by underrepresented and first-generation college students. UMN McNair Exemplifying MPACT 2025.
Apply to be a McNair Scholar
Applications for the 2025 cohort are now closed. Applications for the 2026 cohort will open in Fall 2025. Fill out the McNair Interest Form to receive updates on when the application goes live.
Faculty and Community Partners: To learn more, express interest in mentoring, or get involved, please fill out this interest form.
Learn more about what the McNair program is and why you should apply.
** Please note: the TRIO McNair website is currently undergoing a college-wide update and is under construction. We apologize for any glitches you may encounter during this period.
2024 McNair Scholars.
2022 McNair Scholars.
About our program
- 10-week summer research apprenticeships with a University faculty mentor whose research interests match those of the McNair student.
- Summer stipend of $6,000. Additional $500 during the academic year.
- 3-course credits offered (EPSY 3002: Demystifying & Engaging the Research Process)
- Weekly seminars on study strategies for graduate school and graduate entrance exam preparation.
- Opportunities to present research at multiple symposiums and a national conference
- Build community with a cohort of McNair scholars
- Year-round seminars and advising services focus on:
- Careers requiring graduate education
- Successful selection and application to graduate school
- Financing graduate studies
- Preparing a successful undergraduate research project proposal
- Introduction to discipline-specific research and research writing skills, and ethical issues in research
Upcoming Information Sessions
Qualifications
- First-generation college student and income eligible, or from an underrepresented group
- Full-time sophomore or junior
- U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident
- GPA of 2.75 and above
- Strong writing skills and academic performance in major courses
- Students from all majors are encouraged to apply, including students with STEM focus
McNair Scholars graduate profile since 1992*
*Scholars may be counted more than once, i.e. some earned masters and went on to earn doctorate.
*Updated information coming soon!
- 47 students are still undergraduates.
- 198 students entered graduate school.
- 120 students earned M.A. degrees.
- 28 students earned professional degrees.
- 22 students earned doctorate degrees.
- 27 are currently enrolled in doctorate programs.
- 88 students are still enrolled in graduate school.
- 14 scholars are participating in post baccalaureate fellowships and/or other fellowship like activities and are expected to matriculate to graduate school.
McNair Scholars is a TRIO program funded by the United States Department of Education with support from the University of Minnesota.
David Ghere Memorial Scholarship
David Ghere was passionate about helping students from all different backgrounds learn and supporting their ambitions into professional life. For two decades, he taught history at the University of Minnesota General College and later the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning where he was a champion of and mentor to underserved students. He was a natural teacher and loved his work. One of his greatest joys was teaching using simulations that he created to help students understand and challenge historical concepts.
Dave was a strong supporter of the TRIO program. He was drawn to TRIO's mission at the University of Minnesota. Soon after joining the university, he reached out to the TRIO Program to find ways to collaborate and supported the program throughout his career. He was also a mentor to McNair Scholars and worked with students on their research projects. Having been a first-generation college student, he took great joy in partnering with these programs and assisting others through their journey.
When Dave passed away in 2010, his colleague Jeanne Higbee started a fund in his memory. Today, thanks to additional gifts from his family and friends, the David Ghere Memorial Scholarship supports students in the TRIO McNair Scholars program. The scholarship aligns with who Dave was throughout his life and is a continuation of his work to support U of M's promising McNair Scholars to be successful in college and beyond.
Resources for current McNair scholars
Research opportunities
- Pathways to Graduate School Research Opportunity Program
- North Star STEM Alliance
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Research paper guides
Self-awareness tools
- StrengthsQuest Assessment
- SCARF Assessment: SCARF stands for Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness. The results of your assessment show you the order in which the SCARF elements matter to you. Understanding which of these five domains are key drivers for you helps you understand why you react so strongly in certain situations and why others don't seem to bother you so much. It will also help to explain the reaction of those around you!
Professional online profile
Words of wisdom
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: Be Yourself
- TED Talk - Caroline McHugh: The art of being yourself
- Decision making - TED Talk - Ruth Chang: How to make hard choices
- Communication - TED Talk - Nancy Duarte: The secret structure of great talks
- Leadership - TED Talk - Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership
Skill awareness and development
Academic career planning
Academic job sites
Research programs
- Research schools and programs you are interested in and visit petersons.com and/or gradschools.com.
- Check schools and programs websites for information on how they support students from diverse backgrounds.
- Determine what application materials are needed and look at program handbooks if available.
- Go to graduate school fairs (but never pay to go to a fair).
- If possible, visit the school. Sometimes, schools will pay for your visit, especially through diversity/outreach efforts.
- Find out about specific courses offered.
- Learn about specific research interests of individual faculty members.
- Find out how long it takes to complete the program, and the program's attrition rate (how many students left the program and why).
- Prepare for interviews (if applicable).
- Prepare your resume or curriculum vitae [PDF] and personal statement.
Talk to people
- Discuss your options with professors, advisors, current graduate students, or alumni of graduate programs to see how they found a good fit and what they wish they would have known about searching for graduate programs.
- Ask them to recommend programs that may fit your needs (location, funding, faculty research).
- Make contact with current students to find out what their experience has been like.
Research financial aid and funding
- Learn about financial aid resources available from the school and program, specifically if teaching or research assistantships are available to incoming students, as well as fellowships (scholarships) or grants.
- Fill out the FAFSA to see what you qualify for in loans.
- What will you accomplish in the future with this degree?
U of M resources
- If you are applying to a U of M graduate program, fill out the McNair graduate application fee waiver on the U of M McNair resources website.
- Apply for a graduate assistantship.
- McNair Scholars/DOVE Fellowship
- Additional financial resources
As you gather information on programs, create a list of potential schools to organize and rank schools based on your potential for being accepted (Safety, Good chance, Reach). Don't discard schools simply because you feel your changes of acceptance are slim.
For Current Scholars:
For program alumni:
Please reach out to mcnair@umn.edu or albecker@umn.edu for individualized support.
Additionally, UMN McNair alumni can request access to the dynamic resource "From Aspiration to Achievement: Navigating Graduate School and Beyond." This comprehensive guide supports scholars at every stage, whether they are just starting their journey or already immersed in a PhD or Graduate Program. It offers essential support and guidance for both new participants and those returning after a gap year.
McNair Alumni
McNair scholars from the U of M are contributing to research that is finding cures to diseases and generating innovation in a wide range of industries including biotechnology, healthcare, and agriculture. McNair scholars are also in faculty positions, helping develop the next generation of experts and innovators who will allow the United States to continue to lead and quickly adapt to emerging challenges.
Stay connected to McNair by providing us with your current contact information.
2024 Scholars
- Cayla Bishop
- Savanna Conzemius
- Fredric Esters
- Christine Friendshuh
- Justin Gonzalez
- Mumtaz A. Hassan
- Alex Ho
- Haniya Hopson
- Nyalaam Jok
- Leslie Luces Saavedra
- Trevor Marquez
- Hannah Meyers
- Sophea Om
- Joci Salguero
- Olivia Sanchez
- Enengy Schutt
- Tomas Sepulveda
- Jessica Sosa
- Dorothea Tse
- Laichia Vang
- Ricardo Vazquez Montero
- Ashley Ynglada
2023 scholars
- Baraa Al-Jasim
- Fatuma Arab
- Eileen Bass
- Olivia Cuoco
- Gabriella Diaz
- Edgar Gonzales Reyes
- Sarah Haile
- Regina Jareanpalithapon
- Jimena Jimenez
- Zoe Karwowski
- Samantha Krocak
- Tanya Martinez
- Mya Reeves
- Bernarda Torres
- Jenny Vang
- Jayce Warner
- Michael White
You can login to Flipgrid to leave feedback and comments for scholars on their virtual posters.
2022 scholars
- Jasmine Adam
- Weli Ahmed
- Kelso Anderson
- Caitlyn Barrett
- Grace-Divine Boutouli
- Jesus Cazares-Reyes
- Sarah Etheridge
- Friday Gora
- Kelsey Grant
- Dola Greene
- Vanessa Guachichulca
- Sofia Ledeneva
- Keemarr McKinney-Van Buren
- Malaya Merriwether
- Katie Nguyen
- Lindsay Okindo
- Brittney Olivares
- Ulises Perez
- Christos Robertson
- Tram Tran
- Jayce Warner
2020 scholars
- Serena L. Armstrong
- Nautica Flowers
- Alonso E. Galvan-Ochoa
- Quan Guan
- Chloe Hendrix
- Lillie Lee
- Emma J. Otremba
- Ethan R. Partida
- Arleth Pulido-Nava
- Breanna D. Rivera-Kloeppel
- Khalique Rogers
- Jacob A. Smiley
- Emame Thompson-Eja
- Yeng Vang
- Maddie Westenberg
- Mai Kao Xiong
- Saulkdi Yangh
- Raniya Yimam
- Kathy Zamarripa
- Bruktawit Zewdie
2019 scholars
- Aaisha Y. Abdullahi
- Alexis Bartelt
- Milena Cornejo
- Lizeth A. Diaz Rodriguez
- Judith Dominguez
- Calvin Duong
- Yaren E. Euceda Mejia
- Samantha B. Gardow
- Nayelli Guerrero
- Sierra J. Hamernick
- Anna R. Heinz
- Amina Hussein
- Lemlem B. Jeldo
- Yoojyim A. Moua
- Ianna Oatis
- Muna F. Osman
- Dante J. Rogers
- Jessica Sanchez
- Yosan T. Tsegai
- Salamong Xiong
- Chue Yang
2018 scholars
- Keegan Bunker
- Yadira Damazo
- Mark Dresel
- Muzamil Ibrahim
- Kania Johnson
- Kimberly Knourek
- Brianna Lundgren
- Abigayle Z. McClendon
- Nicolas Mendivil
- Cristaly Mercado
- Julissa M. Molina-Vega
- Samantha Mussehl
- Minh-Uyen Nguyen
- Salma Noor
- Luis Ramirez
- Nahrissa I. Rush
- Zerbine Atosha Rypa
- Sandra Taylor
- Taylor Westfall-McCoy
- Salamong Xiong
2017 scholars
- Firdavs Abzhabarov
- Kamilah Amen
- Zack Crowley
- Laura Dédé d’Almeida
- Brandon C. Hyde
- Austin Leikvoll
- Kayne Lussier
- Nicole A. Lynn
- Mallory Mintz
- Nahom Mossazghi
- Aarinola Esther Okelola
- Mary K. Onchiri
- Susan Phetsamone
- Tyra Reed
- Santino Reynolds
- Catherine Richards
- Brenda Sanchez Murillo
- Gao Thor
- Chen Vue
- Taylor Westfall-McCoy
- Halimo Yusuf
- Fralinda Zazay
Pre-2017
Get in touch
TRIO McNair Scholars staff
40 Education Sciences Building
56 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-625-0772
Fax: 612-625-0704
mcnair@umn.edu
Anthony Albecker Anthony Albecker
- McNair Scholars Director
- albecker@umn.edu
Anthony Albecker is a dedicated advocate for first-generation, underrepresented, and marginalized student populations.
Kayla Cory Kayla Cory
- Advisor
- she, her, hers
- coryx026@umn.edu
Kayla Cory is an advisor for and an alum of the TRIO McNair Scholars Program. She has a master's degree in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development and a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota.
Amani Stumme-Berry Amani Stumme-Berry
- McNair Scholars Advisor
- stum2012@umn.edu
Hello! My name is Amani Stumme-Berry. I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota with an undergraduate degree in psychology (BA) and a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and public policy (MPP).
