McNair Scholar Shauni Trombly, a senior psychology major from West Chazy, presents her research at a recent symposium.

POTSDAM -- The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Clarkson University an award worth $1.1 million over five years to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by underrepresented student groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This is Clarkson¹s fifth Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement grant, named for a member of the Challenger Space Shuttle's seven-member crew, who met with tragedy and death 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 not only in following McNair's path, but in taking the initiative to create their own paths.

Since its inception, Clarkson's' McNair program has provided research experience and graduate school preparation to 240 students. The prestige of being a Clarkson McNair scholar has been held by only 24 students each year.

The new grant will serve 30 students annually. Clarkson's McNair program has a 98 percent graduation rate; 40 percent have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a master's degree; 20 percent have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a Ph.D; and six percent have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a professional degree.

"A tribute to the Clarkson McNair program's success is its strong collaboration with Clarkson faculty, who take the time to mentor McNair scholars through an intensive 10 week summer research project," said Marjorie Warden, Clarkson Project Director of Community of Underrepresented Professional Opportunities. "Guidance is provided through the research process with added opportunities for conference presentations, networking and publishing possibilities."

To supplement the summer research component, the McNair program provides regular workshops on research ethics, the graduate school application process, graduate school funding sources and preparation for the Graduate Record of Exams (GRE) among other related topics. Along with workshops, seminars are provided to students, featuring Clarkson McNair Alumni presenters who have completed or are in the process of completing their PhD. These speakers provide students with knowledge and guidance on the path to a Ph.D.

The McNair program is coordinated by Warden, Assistant Director Courtney Green, and Program Coordinator Deborah Sutliff.