McNair Scholars Program receives new federal funding
The McNair Scholars Program at Binghamton University has received federal funding for another five-year term and will focus on increasing the number of students from the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
McNair Scholars, a federal TRiO program, helps low-income, first-generation and/or underrepresented minority students prepare for graduate school and receive their doctorate. Binghamton University is one of nearly 200 U.S. schools that has offered the program. The refunding provides the program with more than $1.2 million over the life of the grant.
“This was a difficult funding year because 60 programs were slated to be cut,” said Shanise Kent, associate director of the University’s McNair Scholars Program. “But we were optimistic because we do a good job here.”
The program serves about 40 students per year and has helped to send dozens of students to graduate schools across the country, including Jennifer Hinojosa ’07, MA ’09, a doctoral student studying geography at the University of Maryland, Ccollege Park.
“To be honest, without the help from the McNair Scholars Program, I would not be here,” she said. “McNair’s workshops, scholar/professor networks and social support played an essential role when I was an undergraduate student at Binghamton University. I am so thankful for the program’s goals and support.”
To be eligible for the program, a student must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident interested in pursuing a doctorate; a full-time Binghamton undergraduate with a 3.0 GPA over three semesters; have completed 48 credit hours; and be from a low-income family, a first-generation student and/or a historically underrepresented minority. Ccandidates must then submit an application that details their future goals and take part in an interview.
Read more at http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/mcnair-scholars-receives-new-federal-funding