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McNair Scholars Program Handbook
Program History
The UNT McNair Scholars Program, established in memory of astronaut-physicist and Challenger crewmember, Ronald E. McNair, is one of the five TRiO Programs housed under Enrollment Management in the Provost’s Office. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) on October 1, 1992, the program serves talented UNT juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing graduate education. Along with other TRiO Programs (Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound Math and Science, and Student Support Services), the UNT McNair Scholars Program serves a diverse population of students who meet specific federal guidelines. As of October 1, 2009, the number of McNair programs in the nation increased to 200.
Program Purpose
The UNT McNair Scholars Program provides enriching scholastic experiences that prepare eligible scholars for doctoral education. To accomplish this, the program gives participating scholars the unique opportunity to develop the highest level of academic and research skills needed for admission to and completion of Ph.D. programs. McNair Scholars are eligible for services until they complete their baccalaureate degrees. The McNair staff continues to support scholars by providing moral support, advice, and guidance to all McNair Alumni throughout their graduate years and into their professional endeavors.
Research is “the diligent and systematic inquiry into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, etc.” (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 1995). Research is also “the thorough investigation, the scholarly or scientific inquiry or study, or the careful and detailed exploration of a subject or theory” (American Heritage Dictionary, 1985). Research is becoming more important and increasingly integrated into undergraduate education curricula, so the UNT McNair Scholars Program provides enriching and successful research experiences to its participants. McNair Scholars conduct research 10 hours a week during the fall and spring semesters and 40 hours a week for 10 weeks during the Summer Research Internship.
Program participants benefit from a variety of services, including:
Program Guidelines
McNair staff operates the program under a set of regulations established by the USDOE and UNT. Under these regulations, McNair staff monitors the progress of each scholar to ensure compliance with the following objectives:
In addition to your compliance with the federal regulations, you also commit to following the responsibilities listed below. You thoroughly understand that failure to comply with these responsibilities will affect your eligibility to continue in the program.
Program Criteria
The UNT McNair Scholars Program is competitive. To qualify, an applicant must meet the following criteria established by the USDOE and the Program Administration. An applicant must:
Program Roles
The success of every McNair Scholars Program begins with the strength of its foundation—the program staff and cohort—and thrives with the strength of the mentor/scholar relationships. The success of the McNair mentoring experience depends on the level of commitment between the mentors and scholars. These mutually beneficial relationships should foster talent, maturity, academic strength, motivation, commitment, a strong desire to learn, creativity, and a willingness to accept challenges.
Scholars, staff, and mentors each have specific roles and responsibilities and should meet program, research, and personal expectations throughout the experience. Each scholar’s experience is unique, so the following roles give the minimum responsibilities for the program, and can be built upon to ensure the individual success of each scholar.
| Scholar’s commitment | Mentor’s commitment | Program’s commitment |
| Select a faculty mentor | Commit to the progression and success of the scholar | Oversee the mentor/scholar relationship |
| Conduct ongoing research under the guidance of a faculty mentor | Guide the scholar through the research process | Provide resources for scholars to conduct research |
| Present research at professional conferences | Assist the scholar with the dissemination of the research | Provide travel assistance to professional conferences |
| Present research at the annual recognition luncheon and the annual conference | Assist the scholar with developing presentations, both oral and poster | Provide forums for scholars to present research |
| Seek academic, personal, and career counseling when needed | Encourage the scholar to seek academic, personal, and career counseling when appropriate | Provide resources for academic, personal, and career counseling |
| Prepare for the GRE | Promote the importance of the GRE in maximizing opportunities for the scholar | Offer GRE tutoring |
| Research potential graduate programs | Assist the scholar with selecting an appropriate and realistic graduate program | Provide logistical support in the graduate program selection process |
| Apply to graduate school | Support the scholar through the graduate application process | Provide assistance and support in the graduate school application process |
| Undergo reviews throughout the year | Evaluate scholar's progress throughout the year | Monitor scholars' progress throughout the year |
| Adhere to staff and mentor directions and guidance | Work with staff to facilitate scholar's professional growth and development | Provide direction for scholars' professional growth and development |
Program Activities
Regulations established by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and UNT govern the UNT McNair Scholars Program. McNair Mentors and Scholars must accomplish specific objectives throughout the grant year (October 1 through September 30). The following sections describe the research components, events, and requirements of the UNT McNair Scholars Program.
Research Action Plan
After you select your mentor, you will work together to set long and short-term research goals, determine a research action plan, and set a time-line for completion and dissemination. Together, you and your mentor will complete the Research Action Plan form. You are responsible for submitting to the McNair staff this original plan and an updated plan for each continuing semester and summer that you remain an active scholar.
Summer Research Log
You will keep track of your research hours throughout the year on weekly log forms. During the summer session, you will submit the form to program staff weekly as part of your course assignments; during the long semesters, you will only need to provide them upon request by program staff.
Mid-Semester Review
You will meet with a member of the staff midway through each long semester to discuss your research progress and any other relevant information concerning your success in the program. The length of the review is approximately 30 minutes and usually occurs the week after midterm exams. Your mentor does not need to attend this review, but does need to submit, via response email, a progress report.
Progress Report
As part of the Mid-Semester Review, we will send your mentor an email asking him or her to evaluate your progress. You are responsible for scheduling regular meetings with your mentor to discuss research progress and to review your log forms.
Pre-proposals and Proposals
A proposal is basically a concept paper for your research. If you are new to research, you will have a pre-proposal which is focused on the initial research steps and tends to be less defined and less focused than a full proposal. We will accept a pre-proposal during your first semester as a scholar, and a full proposal for each additional summer.
In your proposal, you need to set out a well-developed idea of what you think your project will involve. You should invest enough time in this to be able to present a very clear description of your project. You will use this information to develop a visual presentation for the Annual Symposium.
Annual Symposium
Another important research event is the Annual Symposium, where you will present your research proposal to staff and other scholars. Your mentor should guide you in preparing the presentation. The program director uses the written proposal and the oral presentation of the proposal to determine who receives summer funding. You may invite family, friends, mentors, the UNT community, and the public to the Symposium.
Summer-Site Visit
During the summer program, a member of the staff will schedule a 30-minute, on-site visit with each you and your mentor. These visits open the door of communication between staff, mentors, and scholars, clarify their expectations and responsibilities, and assess scholars’ needs.
Summer Research Course – UCRS 3150
The research class is another major component of the summer program. The class is two-credit-hours and is specifically designed for McNair Scholars. The UNT McNair Scholars Program pays tuition and fees. A select group of mentors, UNT faculty, staff, and Ph.D. candidates conduct workshops and seminars on a variety of topics related to research and preparation for graduate education.
The eight sessions of the summer class are Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning on the first Friday of Summer Session I. Since this is a mandatory class for McNair Scholars, you must avoid scheduling classes, work, research, or other activities during these times. The three hours of class count towards the 40 hours per week of research.
Class topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Class Policies and Procedures
- Fundamentals of Research and Research Interests
- Critical Thinking
- IRB—Institutional Review Board
- Imposter Phenomenon & Other Barriers to Academic Success
- Grant Proposals—Seeking and Writing
- Research Presentation Methods: Poster
- Technical Writing
- Annotated Bibliographies & Making the Most of Libraries
- Personal Statements
- Graduate School & Transition to the Academy in Non-traditional Populations
- Academic Hierarchy—From Lecturer to Chancellor
- Graduate Program, Advisor, and Committee Selection
- The Graduate School Experience: Students’ Perspectives
The staff welcomes recommendations for proposed topics from mentors and scholars. Mentors may also attend any of these sessions.
Recognition Luncheon
Each September, the McNair Scholars Program hosts the Annual Recognition Luncheon to honor the scholars and their mentors. We invite the McNair Advisory Board, UNT administrators, selected faculty, and community leaders. Scholars lead the program and agenda includes a keynote speaker, students’ acknowledgment of their individual mentors, and presentation of the Outstanding Service and Friend of McNair Awards. You have one minute to introduce your mentor (using his/her correct title, i.e., Assistant Professor, Regents Professor, etc.), explain your research and present your mentor with a certificate of appreciation. This is a professional event; therefore you must dress accordingly. You must prepare a 100-word biographical sketch to be included in the written program.
Annual Poster Presentation
The Annual Poster Presentation is the culmination of the intensive summer program. Before the summer program ends, you will prepare a research poster under the guidance of your mentor and staff. The presentations immediately follow the Recognition Luncheon and allow you to exhibit your research to the UNT community.
You and your mentor should not lose sight of this event during the summer program. You will submit a final draft of your poster during the final week of the summer class, and have your poster printed and in the main office by mid-August.
Publications/Research Paper
All scholars should take their research very seriously and participate in scholarly activities such as paper submissions and professional conferences. You should make plans with your mentor to co-author professional articles. Throughout the research experience, you should keep in mind that you must submit at least one publication-quality research paper before you graduate. We strongly recommend that mentors and scholars discuss these requirements at the beginning of their research experience and that they include this task in the Research Action Plan. Every scholar must submit a quality research paper upon graduation from UNT. A published, peer-reviewed article is not required, but should be your goal.
Research Fellowships and Pay Schedule
As a scholar, you receive a research fellowship each semester during the academic year (fall and spring) provided by UNT. You may be eligible to receive a summer research fellowship of $1,400-2,800 provided by USDOE if you meet specific criteria. The purpose of the research fellowship is to help you defray part of your educational expenses so you can concentrate on your research experience. You will receive the funds on the first working day of each month beginning in February of your first year.
· October – May; $100 per month
· June – September; $350 - $700 per month
Notes: If you receive a paid non-McNair research opportunity in the summer, you will not receive the maximum of $2,800.
All amounts are subject to change, pending funding from the USDOE and UNT.
You can either pick up your research fellowship checks personally at the TRiO Office or sign-up for direct deposit and have the money deposited into your checking account.
Travel
You should seek opportunities to participate in educational and scholarly events that will enhance your knowledge of graduate education, provide experience in presenting your research, and allow you to network with administrators, faculty, researchers, and students involved with graduate education nationwide. Mentors should inform you about special events that foster scholar participation and networking opportunities.
The program covers part or all of traveling expenses to special events that directly relate to the purposes and objectives of the UNT McNair Scholars Program. The McNair Director will provide a travel packet with specific procedures that must be followed before, during, and after traveling. You must meet with the McNair Director for approval and to begin the process six to eight weeks before the projected traveling date.
Eligibility for Travel
The Director will approve travel requests, in order of priority, to scholars planning to:
- Present research at a professional conference
- Attend a professional conference (this is on a case by case basis and is not common)
- Present at a McNair conference
- Visit a prospective university for graduate school (transportation funds only). The UNT McNair Scholars Program provides transportation, when funds are available, for you to visit prospective graduate schools. Thus, you provide their own food, lodging, and other expenses (i.e., sharing a dorm room, staying with friends, relatives, or faculty; or staying in facilities provided by community agencies).
Requirements and Expectations for Travel
You are all ambassadors of the UNT McNair Scholars Program. As such, you must always conduct yourself in a professional manner. Although the following travel information concerns scholars, mentors should become familiar with them to help you prioritize your travel.
Before you travel, you must:
o Inquire about various events scheduled and dress accordingly
o Be prepared to present research
o Seek the guidance of mentors, staff, and senior scholars
o Follow program travel procedures as directed in the provided travel packet
When attending professional conferences, you must:
o Bring business cards (available in the McNair Office)
o Attend all scheduled conference sessions and meetings
o Network and establish contact with professionals in your field: faculty, administrators, fellow students, and staff from participating institutions
When presenting your research, you must:
o Prepare for your presentations by practicing with mentors, peers, and/or staff to get feedback and constructive criticism
o Take multiple copies of oral presentation (flash drive, cd, email to self, etc.;)
o Arrive at the site early to familiarize yourself with the room and test the audio-visual equipment if needed
When traveling to visit prospective graduate programs, you must:
o Coordinate your plans with the Director
o Seek your mentors’ advice, names of contact persons, and opinions about the prospective graduate programs
o Read about the institutions you plan to visit
o Read articles published by prospective major professors and other faculty
o Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions and the department of your choice to schedule meetings with the chair, faculty, administrators, financial aid officials, and graduate students
o Prepare an interview questionnaire
o Prepare a portfolio, including statement of purpose, transcripts, vitae, publication or writing samples, and GRE scores