McNair Scholars Program

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, more commonly referred to as the McNair Scholars Program, awards grants to institutions of higher learning for projects designed to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement with research and other scholarly activities. The program targets and recruits promising students during either their sophomore or junior year. To qualify, students must be either income-eligible and first-generation or a member of an underrepresented group in higher education. Currently, there are a total of 187 McNair Scholars Programs nationwide serving 5,242 Scholars.

The Concord University McNair Scholars Program requires each Scholar to conduct research with a faculty mentor and complete a summer internship. The Concord Program provides access to training and resources designed to make the transition into graduate school smooth and successful. Through workshops, academic counseling, and other services, the Program helps Scholars prepare for the graduate school experience academically, financially, and socially. The Concord McNair Program serves 30 students annually from Concord University, West Virginia State University, and Bluefield State College. The Concord McNair Program was initiated in 1995, is currently funded through 2022, and is the only such program in the state of West Virginia. More information is available at the McNair Scholars Program webpage.

McNair Scholars Research classes are listed as course numbers 498 or 499 within the field of study.