McNair Mentors are the main contributors to the success of the McNair Scholars Program because they assist students in developing professional work habits, research skills, and personal relationships to assist them in future doctoral pursuits. Through participating in the program, mentors widen their network of campus colleagues.
McNair Scholars attend professional conferences with their mentors, visit graduate schools, attend graduate school fairs, prepare for graduate school entrance exams, receive guidance through the graduate school application process and obtain information on securing fellowships, graduate assistantships, and loans. Scholars take a course that focuses on developing effective learning strategies, research methods, advanced library skills, enhanced writing techniques, and general academic skills. Students explore graduate school life and pursue professional development activities.
McNair Research Projects are for the summer session. McNair Scholars work full-time for eight weeks under the guidance of their mentors. McNair Scholars receive a stipend. A small supplies budget will be provided for each mentor/scholar team. The enthusiasm for discovery that students experience during this internship increases their desire to pursue doctoral studies. Through directly engaging in scholarship and research, students receive individual attention from mentors and integrate into the research team. Each student and mentor work together to design and execute the research project. The mentor assists the student to develop conceptual and technical skills and to write a report on the research findings. Upon conclusion of their research project at SIUC, McNair Scholars make formal presentations to faculty and peers at the McNair Scholars Research Symposium and submit a paper summarizing their work. Selected papers appear in the SIUC McNair Journal .
Research support during the academic year may also be available through the program. Scholars will be encouraged to seek support for research from REACH and by applying for Undergraduate Assistantships.
The SIUC McNair Program funds scholars to attend a national professional conference with their mentors. Students gain experience observing their faculty mentors and peers interacting with colleagues and they become acquainted with experts in their discipline. McNair Scholars witness the level of intellectual commitment and enthusiasm necessary to succeed in graduate school and beyond.
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