McNair Scholars Program
Faculty Mentor Resources
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McNair Scholars Program Faculty Mentor Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the USM McNair Scholars Program?
- The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded TRiO program designed to prepare
income-eligible, first-generation students, and students with limited representation in
graduate school for doctoral study. The program provides opportunities for research
engagement, scholarly activity, graduate school application preparation, and community
engagement to help achieve project objectives. These activities aim to empower engaged undergraduate researchers to think critically, enact positive change in their spheres of
influence, and ultimately attain a qualifying research-intensive doctoral degree.
How are mentors selected, and what are mentor expectations?
- The respective scholar often identifies a faculty mentor after applying to the McNair
Program. Mentors are typically within the scholar鈥檚 discipline (although opportunities for
cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects exist, aligning with scholars鈥� research
interests). Mentors are expected to guide the scholar 1) in determining their research
design in the spring and 2) in collecting/analyzing data, writing up their findings, and
preparing for research presentations in the summer. However, McNair staff also work
with scholars to start conceptualizing a project that is attainable and timely within the
spring and summer semesters. Program staff also assist students with their presentation
preparation. Lastly, mentors are expected to attend a McNair Program Orientation early
in the spring semester to receive more information about the program. Faculty mentors
must also sign a Faculty Mentor Agreement Form to officially begin working with their
mentee.
What are the program benefits for the McNair Mentor?
- For your service, we will provide a small stipend as a token of appreciation for your
time.
At the completion of your mentee鈥檚 project, you will also receive a service letter signed
by the McNair Scholars Director and Dean of the Graduate School.
What are the program benefits for the McNair Scholar?
- There are many benefits that we offer McNair Scholars for participating in the program.
Scholars conduct an intensive summer research project and receive a graduate school
preparation internship, resulting in a heavily supported summer experience designed to
bolster scholars鈥� graduate school applications. Should you decide to serve as a faculty
mentor, the most important benefit scholars receive is one-on-one faculty mentorship,
further exposing students to the rigors and rewards of graduate school attendance.
Additionally, the McNair Program provides scholars with a research stipend of up to
$2,800, nominal funding for any necessary research supplies, GRE prep materials, as well
as college visits, conference attendance, and graduate school application fee waivers free of charge to the scholar.
What is the required time commitment for a McNair Mentor?
- McNair Mentors must be doctoral candidates, adjunct faculty, or full-time faculty
at
USM willing to work with a McNair scholar throughout the spring and summer semesters
following their scholar鈥檚 admittance to the program. While there is no specific time
requirement to be a mentor to a McNair Scholar, we suggest weekly check-ins (e.g., via
email or an established asynchronous method) and biweekly meetings with the scholar to
help them make gradual and consistent progress toward completing their project.