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CU • News & Events

Clarkson University McNair Program Awarded $1.3 Million by U.S. Department of Education

Release Date
Friday August 12, 2022

Grant helps first-generation, low-income and historically underrepresented undergraduate students attain Ph.D.s

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Clarkson University a Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program grant for the seventh time. The award will total $1.3 million over five years. Above, Clarkson McNair Scholar Aaron Usher working with faculty mentor Mario Wriedt on “Design Strategies for Discovery of Water-Stable Zwitterionic Metal-Organic Frameworks”.  Summer 2022
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Clarkson University a Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program grant for the seventh time. The award will total $1.3 million over five years. Above, Clarkson McNair Scholar Aaron Usher working with faculty mentor Mario Wriedt on “Design Strategies for Discovery of Water-Stable Zwitterionic Metal-Organic Frameworks”. Summer 2022

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Clarkson University its seventh Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement grant. The award will total $1.3 million over five years.

The grant assists underrepresented students and first-generation students from low-income backgrounds in the attainment of Ph.D. degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The program is named for Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African-American to fly in space and a member of the Challenger Space Shuttle’s seven-member crew who met a tragic end during a disastrous mission in 1986.

As a tribute to his achievements, Congress and the McNair family formed the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program to assist young people in not only following in McNair’s path, but also taking the initiative to chart their own course.

Since its inception, Clarkson's McNair Scholars Research Program has provided intensive research experience and graduate school preparation to 353 students. Under the new grant, 31 students each year will share the prestige of being a Clarkson McNair Scholar.

"This program offers our students the support, inspiration and access they need to seek an advanced degree," says Associate Vice Provost for Academic Support and Student Engagement Cathy McNamara. "We are honored that the Department of Education recognized the success of our program and students by awarding Clarkson’s McNair Scholars for the next five years."

McNair Scholars participate in a 10-week, in-residence summer research program, which is supplemented by workshops on research ethics, the graduate school application process, graduate school funding sources and preparation for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), among other related topics.

Along with workshops, there are seminars featuring Clarkson McNair alumni who have completed or are in the process of completing their Ph.D. These speakers provide students with knowledge and guidance on the path to that degree.

"The McNair program has taken me every step of the way, from not even knowing what a Ph.D. was, to being accepted at a top-20, Ivy League university with competitive funding," says Herbert Fountain '22. "HEOP and CUPO Director Marjorie Warden and Assistant Director of CUPO Deborah Shipp both work tirelessly to improve the lives of their students and increase opportunities for those traditionally underrepresented in STEM."

Today, Clarkson’s McNair Program has a 99% graduation rate; 39% of its graduates have obtained a master’s degree; 13% have obtained a Ph.D.; and 4% have obtained a professional degree – all well above the national averages.

The McNair Program is directed by Director of HEOP & Community Underrepresented Professional Opportunities Marjorie Warden, and Assistant Director Deborah Shipp , and Assistant Director Shannon Marlatt..

As a private, national research university, Clarkson is a leader in technological education and sustainable economic development through teaching, scholarship, research and innovation. We ignite personal connections across academic fields and industries to create the entrepreneurial mindset, knowledge and intellectual curiosity needed to innovate world-relevant solutions and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. With its main campus located in Potsdam, N.Y., and additional graduate program and research facilities in the New York Capital Region, Beacon, N.Y., and New York City, Clarkson educates 4,600+ students across 95 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, the arts, education, sciences and health professions. Our alumni earn salaries that are among the top 2.5% in the nation and realize accelerated career growth. One in five already leads as a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company. To learn more about Clarkson University, go to www.clarkson.edu.


Photograph for media use is available at:
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Photograph Size:
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News directors and editors: For more information, contact Melissa Lindell, Director of Media Relations, at 315-268-6716 or mlindell@clarkson.edu.

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