McNair Scholars Program produces successful students

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many graduate schools paused their admissions process. It caused a little concern for the students in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of North Georgia (UNG).

But the first-generation and low-income students continued to work through the program and on applications as well research projects with UNG faculty to help them gain entry into post-graduate studies.

"We didn't know what that would mean for our students," Julianne Reynolds, interim director of the McNair Scholars Program, said.

UNG's McNair Scholars had no reason for concern. Many secured placements in graduate school programs during the pandemic. It demonstrated the effectiveness of the program during the 2020-21 academic year.

Highlights this past academic year featured two graduating seniors. UNG alumnus Thomas Hayes earned a full-ride graduate school scholarship through the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program. The December 2020 graduate with a computer science degree enrolled at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

"Thomas got into a doctoral program in spring of 2021 while most start in the fall," Reynolds said. "When he got into the program, he was ready to go."

UNG alumna Brooke Tate applied to seven Ph.D. programs and gained entry into all of them. Tate, who earned a degree in chemistry in May 2021, will attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in fall 2021.

Reynolds said the two phenomenal successes from students during the pandemic are examples to others.

"The sky is the limit for our students," she said.

Tate agreed, crediting the McNair Program with her successful collegiate career. The program prepares students for post-graduate studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. During her time at UNG, Tate participated in several undergraduate research projects and won two National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates.

"Those projects showed that I developed my critical-thinking and problem-solving skills," Tate said. "And the research projects show I am ready to be a graduate student and develop my own project in the lab."

Tate and Hayes were not UNG's only McNair alumni who gained entry into post-graduate programs this academic year.

• Tylea Hernandez, '21, who earned a psychology degree, will enroll in a master's program at the University of Central Florida.
• Tassie Garrett, '20, who earned a psychology degree, enrolled in a master's program at Augusta State University.
• Anita 'Danni' Ingram, '21, who earned a music degree, will enroll in a master's program at Florida State University.
• Ximena Luna, '21, who earned a degree in modern languages with a Spanish language and literature concentration, will enroll in a master's program at the University of Georgia.
• Nia Nevels, '20, who earned a degree in human services delivery and administration, enrolled in a master's program at the University of Alabama.
• Maddie Rodriguez, '20, who earned a psychology degree, enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Georgia.

For more information, visit the McNair Scholars Program website.