Diversifying the Doctorate

Diversifying the Doctorate

Afton Enger was just starting to think about graduate school when she first heard about the McNair Achievement Program. An undergraduate student in urban and regional studies at Minnesota State Mankato, Enger was unsure about her future goals and whether earning a graduate degree in urban planning was the right choice for her. Now enrolled in a master's program in city and regional planning at Rutgers University, Enger credits the McNair program with helping her clarify her goals and providing the support she needed to reach them. "The program helped me understand that urban planning was the perfect field for me," says Enger.

The McNair Post–baccalaureate Achievement Program, which was established by the United States Congress in memory of astronaut Ronald E. McNair's lifelong commitment to scholarship, helps low–income, first–generation, and under–represented students effectively prepare for graduate studies. Minnesota State Mankato's program, founded in 2003, offers its scholars a faculty mentor, research opportunities, workshops and seminars, funds to travel, preparation for graduate entrance exams, and assistance with their applications to graduate school.

Universities that participate are required by Congress to reapply for grant funding every four years to maintain accountability in the program. The 2007–2008 academic year marked the last year of Minnesota State Mankato's original grant but, due to the hard work and effort of the McNair staff, the grant has been refunded. "We received a perfect score on the application, funding for the entire five years, and the maximum grant of $231,000 annually," explains McNair Interim Director Laura Bartolo.

Both past and current scholars have attested to the importance of the McNair Program in helping them achieve their goals. "It has opened a lot of doors that weren't open for me before," says current scholar Yonis Gabow. "The access to resources they provide is tremendous." Enger agrees: "I never would have known which graduate school was the right fit if I hadn't visited them," she says. "And I never would have been able to afford the travel on my own."

Former scholar, Joe Williams, who is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Iowa, communicated a similar sentiment. "I could not afford to attend workshops or buy books that would improve my research, writing, and presentation skills," he explains. "The McNair program helped me gain these essential skills."

Given success stories such as Williams', who is the first Minnesota State Mankato McNair scholar to enroll in a doctoral program, there is no doubt that the program has worked in the past. And the increased funding means that the McNair staff will be able to provide more resources to additional students. In fact, the program will begin to implement significant changes beginning this spring. Instead of 22 students, the program will now be able to serve 30 students, and Bartolo, along with her assistant Marla Bock, has already begun to look for next year's scholars.

In addition to serving more students, the program's research component will also receive a substantial makeover. Previously a summer–based program, students will now complete their research projects during the school year. Former McNair scholar, Yessica Bonfil, believes this will be a positive change. "Although students will have to balance their research against several factors–such as classes, work, and family–they will have more time to develop their project and complete the research process," she says. "It may be a challenge for some, but it will also provide a look into what graduate school is really like."

And this is exactly what Bartolo had in mind when she envisioned these changes. "I really feel like we are going in the right direction," she says. "We are raising the bar for the program and for the students, but we are also giving them the portable skills and experiences they need to be successful in the future."