Northeastern Illinois University Northeastern Illinois University
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2019
Scholar Handbook- 2019 Scholar Handbook- 2019
Angela Vidal-Rodriguez
Follow this and additional works at: https://neiudc.neiu.edu/studenthandbooks
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Vidal-Rodriguez, Angela, "Scholar Handbook- 2019" (2019).
Student Handbooks
. 47.
https://neiudc.neiu.edu/studenthandbooks/47
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McNair Scholars Program
2019 SCHOLAR HANDBOOK
Angela Vidal-Rodriguez, Program Director
773-442-4253
Alejandra Prieto, Academic Skills Specialist
773-442-4254
Sonia Morales, Clerical Assistant
773-442-4259
For more information please visit our website: http://www.neiu.edu/academics/mcnair-scholars
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Program History
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program was named in
honor of Space Shuttle Challenger astronaut Dr. Ronald Erwin McNair. McNair was born
October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. He attended North Carolina A & T State
University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He earned his Ph.D. from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and soon became recognized as an expert in laser
physics.
In 1986, the U.S. Congress provided funding for the Ronald E. McNair
Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program in recognition of Dr. McNair, who lost his life
in the Space Shuttle Challenger accident in January of that year. The Program is funded
through the U.S. Department of Education, Higher Education Programs, and is designed
to increase the number of low-income, first-generation and underrepresented minority
college students who pursue and complete the doctoral degree.
Over 200 universities offer McNair Programs across the country. Each program
honors McNair’s memory and his dedication to the pursuit of science, knowledge, and
personal excellence.
Purpose
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is one of eight
federally funded TRIO programs offered within universities and colleges throughout the
nation. TRIO programs offer both outreach and academic support services to students
from disadvantaged backgrounds that need assistance navigating the academic pipeline
from high school to post-secondary education.
The McNair Scholars Program at Northeastern Illinois University is designed to
provide underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation students with mentoring from
staff and faculty, academic counseling, tutoring, and opportunities to conduct and present
research. Through seminars, lectures, and three seminar courses geared to providing
information on applying to graduate school, teaching assistantships, and developing a
research based thesis, NEIU’s McNair Scholars are supported through acceptance and the
complete admission process. Scholars are encouraged to continue through the attainment
of the Ph.D., which will increase the quantity and quality of faculty of color in
institutions of higher learning.
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Eligibility Requirements
Students who intend to pursue a career that requires a Ph.D., and who meet the following criteria
may apply to the program:
● Completion of at least 60 hours
● Senior standing students must have one year remaining at NEIU
● US citizenship or residency
● A minimum 2.8 Grade Point Average or above
● Status as a first-generation college student with income eligibility and/or a
member of a group underrepresented in graduate education
To maintain eligibility, a participant must:
● Fully participate in all program events and complete all assignments
● Maintain a cumulative 2.8 Grade Point Average (minimum)
● Establish and maintain an appropriate meeting schedule with the faculty
mentor
● Comply with all federal, state and local laws and all NEIU regulations and
procedures when participating in program activities
● Comply with all McNair Scholars Program requirements, as detailed in the
Participation Agreement
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The following objectives were formed to meet the overall project goal of increasing the
participation of McNair Scholars in graduate and doctoral studies:
● 28 McNair Program participants will be served each year.
● At least 80% McNair participants will complete research and scholarly
activities that will directly impact their educational progression each academic
year.
● At least 66% of McNair Scholars will enroll in a post-baccalaureate program
by the fall term of the academic year immediately following completion of
their bachelor’s degree.
● At least 40% of graduated McNair Scholars will continue graduate programs
after the first year.
● At least 6% of McNair Program participants will attain a doctoral degree
within ten years of the attainment of the bachelor’s degree.
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Program activities focus on:
● Graduate school advising
● Faculty mentorship
● Summer research
● Academic advising
● GRE preparation
● Seminars
● Workshops
● Cultural activities
Program Services
● Academic, career, and personal guidance
● Faculty mentoring
● Library mentoring
● Annual $2,800 summer research stipend
● Participation in a summer research project
● Opportunities to present and publish research
● Funded conference travel (pending funding availability)
● Assistance in applying to graduate school
● GRE preparation workshops and fee waivers
● Application fee waivers for many graduate programs
● Assistance in applying for fellowships, grants, and other financial support
● Graduate school visits
● Workshops to support academic and personal development
Seminar courses (one credit hour) for McNair Scholars
Developing a Research-Based Thesis (Spring semester)
This course provides an integrative, research-based introduction to the
process of thesis writing, and culminates in the production of a research
proposal.
Preparing for Graduate School (Summer semester)
This course supports the planning and implementation of applying to
graduate programs in various disciplines of the humanities, sciences, and
social sciences. The course focuses on core competencies of creating
personal statements, identifying graduate schools and programs, and
maximizing standardized test scores.
College Teaching for TA’s (Fall semester)
This seminar prepares McNair Scholars for teaching assistantships. The
course introduces students to the theory and practice surrounding college
teaching. Scholars will draw on their own college learning experiences to
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evaluate instructional techniques and materials for effectiveness and
meaning.
● Personality and Learning Styles
This workshop is designed to provide Scholars with an assessment of their
personality types and learning style (using the Keirsey Temperament). Scholars
are able to translate their personality types into learning styles. As a result they
will have a better awareness of how they relate to others and insight into their
learning preference.
● Financial Aid, Fellowships, and Assistantships
This workshop is designed to provide Scholars with information on how to apply
for federal aid thru FAFSA. Scholars learn what monies are available for them in
undergraduate and graduate programs. They are provided with information on fee
waivers for standardized exams (GRE). Scholars receive information on how to
become a fellow, speak with former fellows, and how to complete an application.
● Resume Writing
This workshop is designed to provide Scholars with information on how to write
resumes for employment opportunities or graduate school. Scholars are given tips
on different types of resumes and their purpose. Internet and book resources are
provided to Scholars for additional assistance with writing resumes.
● Interviewing Skills
This workshop is designed to provide Scholars with tips on how to interview for
graduate school, internships, and employment opportunities. Information is given
on how to conduct phone and in-person interviews. Examples of common
interviewing questions are reviewed. Resources such as books and internet
services are provided for Scholars on how to prepare for an interview, researching
companies, researching yourself, and succeeding on your interview to name a few.
● Time Management Skills
This workshop will be interactive as students are given information on creating
the habits of success as they relate to the semester, the week and the day.
Additionally, material will be presented that will benefit the student going on to
graduate school.
● PowerPoint Skills
This workshop is designed to provide Scholars with the necessary tools needed to
create a PowerPoint presentation. Scholars become familiar with the various
styles and designs in PowerPoint. As a result, they are able to present their
research using PowerPoint.
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● Library Skills
This workshop is designed to prepare Scholars on how to use and find materials
needed to conduct research. Scholars are assigned a library mentor to provide
them with assistance in utilizing library resources. They become familiar with
library research database engines to retrieve information for research.
● Writing Skills
This workshop is designed to develop Scholars’ writing skills for scholarly
writing of the research report and at the graduate level.
● Critical Thinking Skills
This workshop provides Scholars with tips on how to think critically. Definitions
of critical thinking are given along with elements of thought, intellectual
standards, developing a perspective on critical thinking, and pulling it all together.
As a result, Scholars will develop intellectual habits of reading and thinking
critically in their discipline.
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Research Activities
Create a Research Proposal
● Spring Seminar
● Mentor guidance
Conduct Research
● 8 week session (June and July)
● Weekly Meeting with mentor
● Summer Seminar
● Apply for IRB approval
● Weekly meeting with peers and McNair Staff
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Semester/year
Month
McNair activity/service
Fall/
sophomore
junior
August-November
Recruiting Period
October - December
Academic Advising
November
McNair National Conference
(Delevan)
Mentor identification
December
Application Deadline
SROP presentation
Applicant notification
Spring/junior
January-April
Mentorship
Late January
McNair Research seminar
GRE preparation
Scholar/Mentor Meeting
February
Library workshop
UNT National McNair Conference
March
PowerPoint workshop
McNair writing workshop
April
Graduation Application for Fall
Early or Mid-May
McNair Annual Dinner
Applicant Notification
Summer
June and July
Research project with stipend
Mentorship
GRE preparation
McNair Grad school prep seminar
Local grad school visits
Early August
Graduation Application for Spring
Fall/senior
September - December
Mentorship
GRE Tutoring
Grad School application process
Conference travel
Mid-September - December
McNair teaching seminar
Early November
GRE testing
Graduation Application for
Summer
December
Graduate School applications
January
Graduate school applications
Spring/senior
January - May
Mentorship
Conference travel
Early April
Graduation Application for Fall
January - April
Graduate school visits
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Plan Your Mentor Meetings
Mentoring is a vital aspect of the McNair Scholars Program, because it offers an
opportunity for scholars to develop close professional relationships with faculty
members (mentors). These relationships are mutually beneficial and have the
potential to last throughout your career. Mentors teach what textbooks and journals
cannot, and they can guide you through difficulties of academia, serve as role models,
and become advocates and interpreters of the “rules of the game.”
Your mentor is a key resource, and it is your responsibility to use that resource
conscientiously. You should establish a schedule of regular meetings with your
mentor and prepare accordingly…their time is valuable and you do not want to waste
it.
Below is a summary of what the McNair Program expects from Faculty Mentors.
This list will help you determine the agenda for your regular meetings.
● The mentor is responsible for providing the student with ongoing support
and evaluation of his or her undergraduate experience, especially the
research project.
● The mentor explores areas of academia with students beyond the research
project.
● The mentor shares an interest in the student’s professional development
and makes suggestions for attendance at conferences and potential sources
for publication.
● The mentor sets realistic goals for the student and schedules regular
meetings to follow-up on the student’s progress.
● The mentor provides thorough, timely and helpful feedback on the
student’s academic and research progress at each meeting.
● The mentor may express interest in collaboration with the student on a
publication.
● The mentor assists the student in the development of professional writing
skills.
● The mentor assists the student in the development of critical thinking
skills.
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● The mentor assists the student in networking and professional socialization
and their quest for post-baccalaureate degree attainme
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