For many university students, advanced degrees and graduate school may seem a distant goal. For first generation, minority and financially challenged students, continuing their education past the baccalaureate degree may seem virtually impossible.

The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.

Founded in 1996 in honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the laser physicist and Challenge space shuttle astronaut, the McNair program is designed to help increase the number of underrepresented students in graduate programs and, ultimately, help diversify the faculty in college and universities and those employed in various areas of science.

The McNair Scholars program helps students interested in all types of doctoral degrees and from all majors, but students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in Engineering and Computer Science are particularly sought.