McNair Scholars Program

Named after astronaut and physicist Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the McNair Scholars Program prepares first-generation and income-eligible students for doctoral study.

Students standing in front of research poster

The McNair Scholars Program prepares first-generation and income-eligible students for doctoral study and future careers in higher education. Funded through a TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the program provides undergraduate research opportunities, academic advising, graduate school preparation workshops, and educational seminars designed to support the academic and professional growth of its participants. Through these experiences, McNair Scholars develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to successfully pursue and complete Ph.D. programs and become the next generation of scholars and faculty leaders.

Apply to Become a McNair Scholar

The McNair Scholars Program at Bloomfield College supports participants throughout their undergraduate academic journey, encouraging them to pursue graduate education with the goal of increasing Ph.D. attainment among students from underrepresented populations.

Application
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Program Details

Learn more about what the McNair Scholars Program at Bloomfield College has to offer. 

Students must:

  • Be a sophomore or first-semester junior with 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
  • Hold U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency
  • Intend to pursue graduate studies leading to a Ph.D., not including medical or law degrees

Transfer students from community colleges are encouraged to apply. For more information about program eligibility, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website. 

  • The opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor on a paid summer research project, in addition to presenting research at national McNair conferences and other research symposiums.
  • Eligibility to receive application fee waivers from universities across the country that are seeking McNair Scholars for admission into their graduate programs 
  • Visits to universities offering doctoral programs as well as the opportunity to attend seminars and workshops related to graduate school preparation

McNair Matters

The McNair Scholars Program opened doors I never imagined were possible. I’ve presented my work at the New England Science Symposium at Harvard Medical School and the American Chemical Society MARM Conference.

Karla Guevara
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Male astronaut standing near American flag

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Dr. Ronald E. McNair was born on October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from North Carolina A & T State University in 1971. Five years later, he earned a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was selected for the NASA space program in 1978, becoming the second African American to fly in space.

A husband and father of two, Dr. McNair’s achievements extended beyond academia as a sixth-degree black belt and an accomplished saxophonist. He is also nationally recognized for his work in laser physics and has received numerous honorary degrees, fellowships, and commendations. On January 28, 1986 Dr. McNair’s life and six other astronauts tragically ended when the Challenger space shuttle exploded.

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