Claire, took a chance and applied to the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at Florida International University in 2015. Her leap of faith paid off when she was one of the twenty-seven students selected to be part of the prestigious program.

As part of her McNair Summer Research Internship, Claire attended the University of Notre Dame. She served as a research assistant in the clinical psychology lab, where she gained an in-depth look at how personality and individual differences are measured, ultimately concluding in her research paper “Snakes in Skirts”, a study on the rise of female incarceration.

“My acceptance into the FIU McNair Scholars program was the turning point in my academic and future professional career,” said Claire. “The McNair Scholars program created a positive learning environment which gave me the opportunity to spread my wings.”

As an FIU McNair Fellow, Claire presented her research findings at research conferences nationwide, including at the FIU McNair Scholars Research Conference last October.

At 53, Claire graduated from FIU’s Honors College with a double bachelor’s in psychology and criminal justice.

Claire’s hard work and perseverance paid off when she was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP). This national fellowship supports selected graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) disciplines at accredited US institutions.

This year, 13,000 students applied nationwide and only 2,000 were awarded the NSF GRFP. Claire was one of three FIU students selected to receive the renowned fellowship, and the only undergraduate student to be awarded.

Claire will continue her education at The University of Notre Dame to pursue her Ph.D. in Psychology, and expand on her research on personality scales and traits.

In Claire’s own words, “Through determination and discipline, I was able to apply to graduate school to become the doctor, researcher, and influential woman I was never encouraged to be”

Mike is a transfer student from MCTC who was afforded the opportunity to conduct URGO research with Dr. David Hanson the summer prior to starting at Augsburg through AugSTEM grant (Rebekah Dupont PI) funding. That fall he continued working with Dr. Hanson and was admitted to the McNair Scholars Program. The following summer he conducted research at the University of California San Diego, where he has decided to pursue a PhD in chemistry and biochemistry.

Congratulations, Mike. We all look forward to observing your contributions to science.

Original story can be found on the Augsburg College website by clicking here.

Three fellowships awarded in the same year to Winthrop students and alumni is an exceptional feat in what is a very competitive application process, said Karen Kedrowski, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. For 2017, the NSF received more than 13,000 applications for this prestigious program and made 2,000 award selections.

Jordan Lewis, a biology and environmental science major and Eagle STEM Scholar and Orangeburg Wilkinson High School graduate from Orangeburg, South Carolina, will receive a fellowship in the area of disease ecology. The May graduate plans to study at Emory University with the goal of working for a federal agency such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A member of Winthrop’s Honors Program, Lewis is a researcher through the McNair Scholars program, a peer mentor, a tutor in the Academic Success Center, a Winthrop Ambassador and member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He conducted an award-winning study on the effects of coastal engineering projects on bacterial communities at Folly Beach, South Carolina, as a McNair Scholar.

It is especially challenging for an undergraduate to be selected for this prestigious fellowship, said Dwight Dimaculangan, chair of the Department of Biology. “This is quite an accomplishment,” he said.

Chemistry graduate Tyler Couch `13, a Fort Mill High School graduate who is now a graduate student at the University of Rochester, was selected for a biochemistry fellowship. He said he emphasized his research and leadership experiences while at Winthrop in his application statements. Reviewers told him this was a huge strength to his application.

Couch is a graduate of Winthrop’s American Chemical Society accredited degree program and only the third chemistry alum to be selected for a GRFP fellowship, according to Pat Owens, chair of Winthrop’s Department of Chemistry, Physics & Geology. Couch would like to continue to conduct basic science research in an academic setting once he completes his degree at the University of Rochester.

The third NSF recipient, Emili Moan `15, has a math degree from Winthrop and is earning a Ph.D. in statistics from N.C. State. “I hope to either teach or work in an industry setting after I get my degree,” she said, adding that there are lots of options for statistics graduates.

Moan, who graduated from Hartsville High School in Hartsville, South Carolina, credits her success to the research opportunities available at Winthrop and a great group of people in the math department and in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards who encouraged her. “I’m the second math graduate from Winthrop to get the NSF fellowship in the past few years, and I think that that says a lot about what a great department we have,” Moan added.

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The program’s purpose is to ensure a diverse population among the scientific and engineering fields. Benefits include a three-year annual stipend of $34,000, a $12,000 annual cost-of-education allowance, international research and professional development opportunities.

The three scholars awarded the fellowships are excited about their future research careers.  Antonia Bass is in her second year in the Doctoral Program in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Pennsylvania.  Stephanie Quiles-Matos is in her first year in the Doctoral Program in Engineering Education at Virginia Tech.  Samantha Mensah graduates this year from UCF and will be attending a doctoral program in Chemistry.

When asked how the McNair Program assisted them, each of the scholars emphasized the importance of the personal and graduate school preparation support the program provided. Quiles-Matos stated, “Honestly, I would not even be in graduate school without the support and mentorship that the McNair Scholar program provided me. As a McNair Scholar I was encouraged to participate in research, a concept I was unfamiliar with as a first-generation student. The McNair team helped me realize, that even as a non-traditional student, I could achieve my goals of graduating college and going onto graduate school.”

Mensah explained that she received much technical support in regards to the NSF GRFP application. “The staff of McNair are extremely knowledgeable on how to make a great application. We work on specific sections such as broader impacts and presenting research from the very beginning of the program. My entire cohort in McNair was working on our applications together and there was an entire team of people helping and checking each other’s work.” Beyond technical help, Mensah appreciated the community created by the McNair program. “McNair is a family. Scholars and mentors that support and lift each other up and always cheer the other on. It can be daunting to tread the waters of academia, especially graduate school, but McNair has been a large reason why I feel confident in my next step.”

Bass highlighted that the support she received from McNair inspired her to give back. “I believe my participation in the McNair program played a great part in getting to where I am today. Their effort to promote underrepresented and first-generation students in STEM fields was what inspired me to pursue a PhD and expand my knowledge within the field of biology. The experience I attained during my participation in the McNair Program motivated me to become a role model for other diverse individuals to pursue a STEM degree and career. I am proud to be a part of a group of graduate scholars focused on fostering the success of underrepresented scientists, which is an important goal that is supported by the NSF GRFP.”

Since 2007,  fifteen University of Central Florida McNair scholars have been awarded NSF fellowships and four scholars have received honorable mentions. The program sends a special thanks to Dr. Robin Walker from the University of Missouri, Columbia for her amazing work with the scholars over the past several years.

UCF McNair Scholar Winners, Current Graduate Institutions, and Year Awarded:

• Antonia Bass, University of Pennsylvania (2017)
• Stephanie Matos, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2017)
• Samantha Mensah (2017)
• Serenela Pelier, University of Florida (2016)
• Monica Thomas, Duke University (2013)
• Tatiana Viecco, Cambridge University (2013)
• Lilian Milanes, University of Kentucky (2012)
• Christina Restrepo, University of Central Florida (2012)
• Elise Hernandez, University of Michigan (2011)
• Rene Diaz, Georgia Tech University (2010)
• Keon Vereen, University of Washington (2010)
• Anamary Leal, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2010)
• Roberto Miguez, University of Michigan (2009)
• Melonie Sexton Williams, Vanderbilt University (2009)
• Enrique Ortiz, University of Central Florida (2007)

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The program’s purpose is to ensure a diverse population among the scientific and engineering fields. Benefits include a three-year annual stipend of $30,000, a $10,500 annual cost-of-education allowance, international research and professional development opportunities and access to TeraGrid supercomputing facilities.

The three scholars awarded the fellowships represent a wide variety disciplines.  Elise Hernandez is starting her second year in the Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan. Lilian Milanes, who graduated this year, will be starting her Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Kentucky. Christina Restrepo is completing her Masters in Science Education at UCF and will be applying to Ph.D. programs in the fall.

The scholars credited the McNair program for their success. When asked how the program assisted them, each of the scholars emphasized the importance of the personal and technical support the program provided.

Milanes explained that without McNair, she “wouldn’t have even applied” and that she was encouraged by UCF McNair director, Michael Aldarondo-Jeffries, to submit an application during her senior year for the experience of participating in the process.

Restrepo appreciated the endless support she received from the McNair program and her mentors. “If it wasn’t for McNair, I would not be where I am today. I would not be pursuing a Ph.D., and I surely would not have applied for the NSF Fellowship”.

Just a year earlier, Hernandez was recognized last year with honorable mention.  She explained that “more than anything else, the McNair Program connected me to a network of fellow scholars, professors, and researchers who were willing to give me advice and guidance in the form of mentoring, research experiences, and emotional support.”

Since 2007, nine University of Central Florida McNair scholars have been awarded NSF fellowships and four scholars have received honorable mentions.

UCF McNair Scholar Winners:

• Lilian Milanes, University of Central Florida (2012)
• Christina Restrepo, University of Central Florida (2012)
• Elise Hernandez, University of Michigan (2011)
• Rene Diaz, Georgia Tech University (2010)
• Keon Vereen, University of Washington (2010)
• Anamary Leal, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2010)
• Robert Miguez, University of Michigan (2009)
• Melonie Sexton Williams, Vanderbilt University (2009)
• Enrique Ortiz, University of Central Florida (2007)

UCF McNair Scholar Honorable Mention Awards:

• Elise Hernandez, University of Michigan (2011)
• Jamie Durate, University of California Irvine (2010)
• Keon Vereen, University of Central Florida (2010)
• Melonie Sexton-Williams, Vanderbilt University (2008)