Sacramento State is looking for students to apply for the McNair Scholars Program this month to help first-generation, low income, and under-represented students achieve preparation for doctoral study.

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, funded by the federal organization TRIO, has 158 sites at universities across the country. The program was named in honor of one of the astronauts that died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion. The program is limited to 24 junior or senior students enrolled at Sac State.

“We are one of nine CSU?s that have this program which started in October of last year,” said Cynthia Leimbach, graduate student assistant.

Program participation targets low income, first-generation college students, or students who are under-represented in their graduate education.

“We open doors for students since they are not around people who talk to them about college, since they are first-generation to attend college,” Leimbach said.

The two-year McNair Program is designed to prepare selected junior or senior students for admission. McNair scholars will receive $2,400 to $2,800 stipend for their participation in the summer research project.

Michelle Dowling, a senior graduate student who participated in the program said it was a great experience.

“An extraordinary opportunity and by far the most interesting thing I?ve done,” Dowling said.

Students will attend a one-unit research and methodology techniques course. The program offers many hands-on experiences of how their master?s program is going to be, Leimbach said.

The McNair scholars will receive individualized assistance, professional development and responsibility. It includes preparing for the Graduate Record Exam and other graduate admission exams, meeting with faculty mentors to prepare for the summer research project, and providing assistance with selecting, applying and financing for graduate studies. In addition, the scholars are persuaded to participate in statewide and national conferences to present their research results.

The goal of this program is to take students to the master?s and doctoral level, providing disadvantaged, high-achieving college students with effective preparation.

To apply, students must be U.S. Citizens with a 3.0 or better GPA, and possess a willingness to commit to going for the doctoral level with help by the McNair Scholars Program.

The deadline for applications this academic year is Sept. 29.

For additional information and applications, contact the Office of Education Equity and Student Retention at 278-6859, located in Lassen Hall 3014.