The Community of Underrepresented Professional Opportunities (CUPO) office is the shared home to the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars), the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP) and the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). The creation of this office brings together three long-standing federal and state Education Department and National Science Foundation programs in one location, providing ease in access to services for students.

The CUPO office provides to eligible students academic enrichment, graduate school preparation, career and professional development, research opportunities, and social and cultural experiences.

Group of CUPO students outside.
  • Academic support: academic advisement, private tutoring, academic success workshops, and a book and laptop loan library
  • Enriching activities: conferences, cultural and social activities
  • Career development: resume writing, professional skill workshops, speakers, industry visits, and internship/co-op guidance
  • Graduate school preparedness: faculty mentors, speakers (PhDs), research opportunities, conferences to present research, GRE prep, GRE exam support, graduate application assistance, funding to visit graduate schools and workshops

The CUPO office provides students with individual and group study space. This space is equipped with desktops and access to as-needed laptops. Students also have access to free printing, scanning and faxing. Student study space is available during regular CUPO hours, and extended study hours are available, especially during midterms and finals.

Every year we produce a journal of research from the previous summer. We are pleased to announce the 11th volume, the Clarkson University Community of Underrepresented Professional Opportunities Research Journal from Summer 2022.

Summer Research Applications

Application Form  Recommendation Form

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

The McNair Scholars Program at Clarkson University prepares qualified undergraduate students in STEM for entrance into a PhD program upon graduating. The goal of the program is to increase the number of first-generation, low-income and/or underrepresented students in PhD programs, and ultimately, to diversify the faculty at colleges and universities across the country. The McNair Scholars Program is a TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Clarkson University.

Group of Clarkson University CUPO graduates

The Clarkson McNair Scholars Program provides undergraduates with opportunities to participate in academic year and summer research activities. McNair scholars attend workshops and seminars on topics related to graduate school preparation, complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and have the opportunity to present their research at local, regional and national conferences.

Eligibility

  • Underrepresented minority students (African American, Hispanic, Native American) or first-generation college students from a low-income background
  • U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
  • 2.8 GPA or higher
  • Sophomore or junior undergraduate in science or engineering discipline
  • Strong interest in pursuing a doctoral degree

Funding

  • Federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Clarkson University

Learn More Information

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program

Young African American woman in lab.

LSAMP at Clarkson University is dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented African American, Latino American and Native American (AALANA) students graduating with baccalaureate degrees in the STEM fields.

The Clarkson University LSAMP is part of the Upstate Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ULSAMP), which is a partnership between five 4-year institutions and two community colleges in Upstate New York: Clarkson University, Cornell University, Monroe Community College, SUNY Onondaga Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Syracuse University (lead institution). LSAMP at Clarkson is funded by the National Science Foundation and Clarkson University.

Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program

CSTEP at Clarkson University is funded jointly by the University and the New York State Education Department. The goal of CSTEP is to increase the number of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students that are pursuing careers in STEM or licensed professions. Students must be New York State residents.

Eligibility

  • Underrepresented minority students (African American, Hispanic or Native American, or income eligibility set up by New York State Education Department for all New York State Opportunity Programs)
  • STEM majors or students pursuing careers in licensed professions
  • New York State residents

Contact

 

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Marjorie Warden
Director of HEOP & CUPO

Marj is originally from Cazenovia NY, but has lived in Potsdam for over 20 years! She received her B.A. in Sociology in '92 and her M.Ed. in '14, both from St. Lawrence University. She has worked with CUPO students since 2003 and in May 2021, she became the HEOP Director. Marj loves her job and says working with students from freshman year until they graduate is very rewarding.

 

Assistant Director of HEOP and CUPO Deborah Shipp

Deborah Shipp
Assistant Director of CUPO

Debbie grew up in Australia and moved to the USA over 20 years ago. She lives in Potsdam with her husband and has two children that are currently in college. She graduated from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia with a double major in Chemistry & Biochemistry. She started working with CUPO in 2018 and very much enjoys her interactions with students and finding ways to support them.

 

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Shannon Marlatt
Assistant Director of HEOP & CUPO

Shannon is from Syracuse, NY, and moved to Potsdam in May of 2021. She earned her bachelor's degree in English and Communication from SUNY Geneseo in 2019 and earned her master's in College Student Development from Alfred University in 2021. Shannon's role focuses on providing student employment, advising CUPO and HEOP students, and helping run office daily tasks. She loves working in both the HEOP and CUPO offices because her favorite part of her job is working with students.

Recent News

Clarkson Chemistry Professor Awarded $164K Grant from the National Institutes of Health
Clarkson University McNair Program Awarded $1.3 Million by U.S. Department of Education
Clarkson University Senior Receives Ph.D. Fellowship from Cornell