McNair Scholars | Texas Woman's University

Become a McNair Scholar

The McNair Scholars Program at TWU prepares currently enrolled TWU undergraduate students for future PhD enrollment through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The program aims to increase PhD awards for low-income and/or first-generation college students (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree).

Learn more about the benefits of participating in this program and how to apply.

Interested? Learn more

How can we help you?

Current Scholars

Check out the activities and research experiences of our current McNair Scholars

Faculty & Staff

View our program objectives and learn more about becoming a faculty mentor

Our Alumni

Learn about our alumni and their current grad school journeys

Resources

Resources for McNair Scholars and interested students

The value of McNair

The McNair Scholars Program helped me identify clear steps in conducting research while also informing me of the various graduate school programs available.”

— Blessing Afolabi

I joined the McNair Scholars program to continue my preparation for graduate school and undergraduate research projects.”

— Charity Broomfield

I joined McNair because I was interested in earning a PhD but knew I would need assistance along the way. The program provided the support system and resources that helped me feel prepared and confident in pursuing graduate study.”

— Rachel Dehesa

Ronald E. McNair, PhD

Dr. Ronald McNair’s many distinctions include being a Presidential Scholar (1971-74), a Ford Foundation Fellow (1971-74), a National Fellowship Fund Fellow (1974-75), and a NATO Fellow (1975). He was also a sixth degree black belt in karate and an accomplished saxophonist.

Because of his many accomplishments, he was selected by NASA for the space shuttle program in 1978. His first space shuttle mission launched successfully from Kennedy Space Center on February 3, 1984. Dr. Ronald E. McNair was the second African American to fly in space. Two years later he was selected to serve as mission specialist aboard the ill-fated U.S. Challenger space shuttle that exploded one minute, thirteen seconds after it was launched.

After Dr. McNair’s death, members of Congress provided funding for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program to encourage low-income and/or first-generation college students to expand their educational opportunities by enrolling in a PhD program and ultimately pursue an academic career.

Let’s get in touch!

The McNair Scholars Program is part of the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence on the second floor of the Blagg-Huey Library on the Denton campus.