Lamar University’s McNair Scholars Program is pleased to announce 2019-2020 Cohort selections for the program’s 20th year:

-  Ileana Aguilar-Soberanis, Music Education
-  Jalynn Banks, MIS
-  Karisma Danas, Studio Art
-  Latresmond Darnell, Civil Engineering
-  Julio Delgado, Economics/MIS
-  Kristal Deville, Psychology
-  Mariah Harris, Psychology
-  Marua Hernandez, Chemical Engineering
-  Aaron Jackson, Economics/Finance
-  Sherika King-Lowe, Business Management/Marketing
-  Yesenia Loera Romo, Business Management/Marketing
-  Aurora Maldonado, Social Work/Criminal Justice
-  Ricky Mendoza, MIS
-  Elizabeth A. Nimmons, Music Education
-  Trenton Rucker, Criminal Justice
-  Christina Segura, Corporate Communication
-  Ambriana Sykes, Biochemistry
-  Rosalia Triana, Biology

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is federally funded and provides first-generation, low-income, minority college students with paid internships and mentoring to prepare for enrollment in graduate programs.

“Our program is all about providing undergraduates with an opportunity to pursue their academic goals by preparing for graduate study,” said Pamela Comer, director of the McNair Scholars Program.

The program offers college juniors and seniors opportunities to conduct research and publish or present their findings and lends assistance in applying to graduate school. Benefits also include a stipend of up to $2,800 to work with a McNair Research faculty member during the summer.

To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following criteria:

-  Be defined as low income by the U.S. Department of Education and a first-generation college student or member of an underrepresented group in graduate education (Black-non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native)
-  Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average, be enrolled full-time and in good standing with the University.
-  Have a minimum of 45 credit hours
-  Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident/citizen of U.S. protectorates.
-  Desire to pursue a Ph.D.. after graduation.

“I absolutely love working with first-generation and underrepresented students,” Comer said. “It gives me an opportunity to have an impact on their lives in a meaningful way.”