McNair Scholars conclude 10-week summer research project

July 29, 2016 | McNair Program |

Students from the McNair Program presented their summer research projects on Wednesday, July 27, in Cone Chapel. Research ranged from study in communication sciences and disorders to computer science to psychology.

The McNair Program, funded by the federal government and part of the Center for Student Success, supports 27 students annually in their academic studies and efforts to attend graduate school. McNair Scholars include first-generation college students from low-income households or students from a minority group who are underrepresented in graduate school.

“Our primary goal is getting these students into graduate school and enabling them to obtain a Ph.D.,” Dr. Linda Thompson, director of the McNair Program, said.

According to Thompson, the scholars’ research is the centerpiece of the program. During the summer, the students, who represent all academic disciplines, spend two weeks in intersession and eight weeks of class with a faculty mentor.

“Having a research experience makes them much more competitive for graduate school admissions,” Thompson said. “We talk with them about how to get admitted to graduate school, get a good letter of recommendation, prepare for the GRE, and create a curriculum vitae.”

Junior psychology major Ronnie Clements worked with Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science Jeremiah Sullins studying students’ reaction to frustration with science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses.

“McNair is really important because it bridges a gap between for students who may not be able to go to graduate school,” Clements said. “They require us to do 30 hours of research work per week, which really develops a sense of work ethic along with academia that isn’t necessarily attained in other ways.”

Senior biology/pre-physician’s assistant major Patty Rivera studied wolf spider Rabidosa rabida in the Searcy area under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Biology Ryan Stork.

“Having the experience of doing this research is a huge takeaway for me, and it’s made me appreciate how much work goes into research, which is something that I wouldn’t have known without McNair,” Rivera said. “This has also given me an appreciation for other sciences besides just health sciences, which is what I usually study.”

Thompson said it’s rewarding to see the positive outcome for the scholars after a summer of hard work and research.

“The big change I see in the students is how excited they are in completing their research, how much they’ve learned, and how much more confident they are as scholars,” Thompson said.