Castleton University Receives McNair Grant
Castleton University has received a grant in the amount of $261,888 per year for five years from the U.S. Department of Education to continue its work through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program – also known as the McNair Scholars Program.
The grant helps universities and colleges develop programs to prepare undergraduate students from a variety of historically underrepresented groups for doctoral study – including first-generation students, those from low-income families, and students underrepresented by race/ethnicity. The funding provides students opportunities to engage in paid summer research under faculty mentorship and other scholarly activities including, seminars, mentoring, and advising. The McNair Programs’ main goal is to get students graduate school ready, including the application and funding process.
“During undergrad, I was a proud McNair Scholar," said Britt Green, director of the McNair Scholars Program. "It is a privilege to see the incredible opportunities this program can bring to Castleton students. This past year our scholars have been accepted to excellent schools all over the country for their graduate education and I am excited to see what our renewed funding can bring to the university in terms of undergraduate research, and academic excellence. The McNair Program is the reason I am currently finishing my Ph.D. and it is an honor to work for this program here at Castleton. ”
Castleton is one of 189 institutions of higher education across the United States to receive the funding. The university’s program was first established in 2017 and is the only one in Vermont.
The McNair Scholars program is one of seven federal TRIO programs, which aim to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to achieve success in middle school through postbaccalaureate programs. It was established in 1986 in memory of astronaut and renowned laser physicist Ronald E. McNair.