McNair Scholars Program
Build Your Path Forward
Rooted in the legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the program prepares underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income students to excel in doctoral pathways.
Learn About McNair
At CWU, McNair Scholars gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities to create their future in research and beyond. Learn more about the program.
Application Information
Overview of Class Sequence for Students Participating in McNair Scholars Programs.
About us
About Ronald E. McNair
Scholar Resources
McNair Resources
Our Scholars Past & Present
Our Scholars
About the Program
The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded TRIO initiative designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through research, mentorship, and academic development.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and housed at 151 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico, the program focuses on supporting students who are first-generation, low-income, or from groups historically underrepresented in graduate education.
Its mission is to increase the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds who earn doctoral degrees. Through intensive research experiences, faculty mentorship, and graduate school preparation, McNair Scholars gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in advanced academic pathways.
The program honors the legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, a physicist, NASA astronaut, and trailblazer whose life embodied determination, excellence, and a commitment to expanding opportunity. After Dr. McNair’s passing in the Challenger shuttle tragedy, Congress established the McNair Scholars Program to continue his vision of opening doors for aspiring scholars mcnairscholars.com.
Program Benefits
The McNair Scholars experience is designed to open doors, strengthen skills, and prepare students for the rigor of graduate education.
- Paid summer research conducted with a faculty mentor
- Guidance on graduate applications, personal statements, and funding
- GRE preparation, academic writing support, and research workshops
- Opportunities to present at regional and national conferences
- Professional development in leadership and scholarly excellence
- Continued mentorship through an active alumni network
- Automatic admission to the William O. Douglas Honors College
CWU TRIO
Funded by Congress through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, CWU is proud to have been one of the original McNair institutions in the country and among the first in Washington State.
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