Home Education Outreach and Support Programs McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Program Description

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is a federal program funded by the US Department of Education TRIO grant.

The core purpose of the McNair Scholars Program is to support first-generation and low-income undergraduates at UTSA to pursue research-based graduate studies, specifically the Ph.D. The program provides the knowledge, skills and capacities necessary to successfully navigate the rigors of Ph.D. studies through immersion in research and a variety of scholarly activities. Such activities are academic skill building, a paid and faculty-led summer research internship program (up to $2,800), opportunities to present research at various conferences and symposiums, and assistance with the graduate school application process. Students who join the McNair Program join a community of peers. Each year, highly qualified students are selected from a pool of eligible applicants.

To be eligible for the McNair Scholars Program, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. 1. Have a least 60 credit hours on their transcript (equivalent to Junior standing)
  2. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.9
  3. Considered a first-generation student (neither parent/guardians received a four-year bachelor's degree)
  4. Considered a low-income student as defined by the Department of Education (Pell grant eligibility is usually an indication of low-income status)
  5. Must be able to participate in our 10-week Summer Research Institute in 2026 (June-August). Students who will graduate before summer 2025 will not be considered.
  6. U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident/Verified Legal Documents showing proof of naturalization.
  7. Desire to conduct research in your respective fields/major.
  8. Interest in pursuing a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.)

In order to be considered for the program you MUST be either first-generation AND/OR low-income.

Director

Darrell C. Balderrama

darrell.balderrama@utsa.edu

Assistant Director

Liliana Gomez

liliana.Gomez@utsa.edu

Administrative Associate II

Rosalinda Luera

rosalinda.luera@utsa.edu

Our office is located in the Graduate School and Research Building (GSR) in office 2.210A. A McNair staff should be available every day of the week to answer any questions that you may have.

*If you have any further questions, please email mcnair@utsa.edu

The McNair Scholars Program and the Office of Undergraduate Research are units within UTSA Career-Engaged Learning.

McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Program Description

Director

Assistant Director

Administrative Associate II

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