Chad Uhles, Math, Pre-Engineering, May 2022
Tell us what is your favorite aspect of being a McNair Scholars?
My favorite aspect about being a McNair scholar is the support that you receive both while at Lee and beyond. McNair does not simply want to get you to graduate school. They want you to be prepared for graduate school and celebrate with you in your accomplishments!
What was the most beneficial resource(s) you’ve received as being part of the program?
The most beneficial resource was the class that I took my senior year. In that class, I was given advice on how to narrow in the program and school of choice. Equally as important was the opportunity to practice certain aspects of the graduate school application process like personal statements. My successful journey would have been much more complicated and convoluted had I not had that experience through McNair.
What advice would you give students considering the program?
Join McNair and take advantage of the opportunities extended to you. Engage with summer research, apply to REU programs, visit universities that you're interested in, attend their recommended conferences, suggest to them conferences that you may be interested in attending, and never be afraid to ask questions about anything!
How has your McNair experience prepared you for graduate study?
McNair helped target some weaknesses of mine before I entered graduate school. Had those weaknesses not been addressed before my arrival to graduate school, I would have likely been faced with a much more difficult transition from Lee to graduate school than I actually experienced. However, I also received constant support and encouragement that I would be a successful graduate student. Because of both of those aspects, I can now say that I am a second year Ph.D. student with a 4.0 GPA that has successfully presented at his first conference, passed his qualifying exam, and is about to start writing his first paper to submit as a journal article. Those are my successes thus far, but my successes were set-up through my experience in McNair at Lee.
Kelsey Osborne-Garth, Political Science, May 2022
Tell us what is your favorite aspect of being a McNair Scholars?
My favorite aspect of being a McNair scholar was the community. I enjoyed McNair events, conferences, and getting together with other scholars on a frequent basis. I really enjoyed hanging out in the McNair office. My very favorite aspect was the summer research opportunity where McNair funded my ability to stay on campus, live with other McNair scholars, and do research.
What was the most beneficial resource(s) you’ve received as being part of the program?
Funding for technology and graduate school visits. During the COVID semesters, McNair provided me with technology that was imperative to my research. I still use this technology on a daily basis for my research.
What advice would you give students considering the program?
Take everything they suggest seriously. Do the assignments they require. APPLY!!!! It is all beneficial, and nothing they required us scholars to do was in vain. Take advantage of the resources they offer. I would not be in graduate school if not for this program.
How has your McNair experience prepared you for graduate study?
This program has so many connections. Through McNair, I was introduced to an external summer research opportunity at Michigan State (my current program) where I received $4,500 to do graduate research under a faculty mentor. This program introduced me to my current advisor with whom I have several working papers and projects. I am grateful for the connections from McNair.
Ariana Medina, Communications, May 2023
Tell us what is your favorite aspect of being a McNair Scholars?
My favorite part is being around a motivated group of students who want to accomplish greater things. You go through this McNair experience with your cohort at Lee, you see everyone’s hard work, and it’s exciting to see their aspirations turn into a reality.
Additionally, once you graduate, being a McNair scholar connects you to a larger network of McNair alumni of students with similar background and experiences. It’s cool because they’ll understand your perspective better than anyone else and can be your biggest cheerleaders as you navigate this whole grad school thing. There is something about just being a McNair scholar/alumni that unites us all together regardless of where we went to school during our undergrad.
What was the most beneficial resource(s) you’ve received as being part of the program?
The support system was the most beneficial resource. During the program, you are surrounded by people who are holding you accountable to what you said you would do, and it helps ensure that you actually follow through with your plans and goals. It’s also been great to continue to have that support as I’ve started grad school.
What advice would you give students considering the program?
Stop considering it, and just apply. Don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out first before applying. You have unique gifts and talents God gave you and you can be confident in that. Being in McNair means you’ll have people walking alongside you, and they’ll help you navigate things moving forward as you’re figuring things out.
How has your McNair experience prepared you for graduate study?
I had an advantage because I learned so much about graduate school before I started regarding the expectations and opportunities that come with it. Consequently, when I got to Texas Tech, I was able to hit the ground running and take advantage of the opportunities in front of me because my experience in McNair gave me an idea of what to expect beforehand. Also, just giving me the confidence that I was equipped to do well in graduate studies.