McNair Scholars

Program Information

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the program, an applicant must be either:

  1. A student of any race/ethnicity, who is both a first-generation college student (i.e. a student who has no parents or guardians who have received a bachelor's degree) and who is considered low-income according to federal guidelines. (Guidelines may be consulted here.)
    or
  2. A student from a group underrepresented in graduate education [i.e., African-American/Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander]

In addition, an applicant must be:

  • Enrolled at Cleveland State University
  • A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.8
  • Able to demonstrate academic potential for graduate study
  • Interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

Faculty Support

Each McNair scholar chooses a Discipline Faculty Menor and a Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor.

Discipline Faculty Mentor

  • Helps define a research topic
  • Teaches research techniques
  • Guides summer research program
  • Guides research presentation

Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor

  • Assists in the definition of a summer research topic
  • Offers interdisciplinary perspectives with regard to their advisee's field
  • Facilitates interactions with faculty
  • Helps with graduate school applications

Benefits of the Program

  • Mentoring by faculty and the McNair Staff
  • Career development and professional experience
  • Access to course in GRE preparation Paid-Independent Study credits
  • Eight week Summer Research Institute

Program Activities

  • Rigorous Research Internship
  • Workshops and Seminars
  • Presentations at research conferences
  • Interpersonal communications development and community building
  • Cultural Events