May 2016 graduates (L to R): Kevin Acquah, Brandy Ledesma, Catherine Hefner, Ellen Aguilera, Kelsey McCoy, Nicole Young, Ryan North, Collin Hinton, Roger Jennette. Not pictured: Jamea Kidrick and Joi Newberne.

Congratulations to all McNair graduates! At the May graduation dinner, Dr. Katrina McCoy, an alumna from 2004 shared her experience and en-couraged students to pursue their dreams and be truthful to themselves. Dr. Daniel McNeil, Profes-sor of psychology at WVU, advised students to ex-plore the world and make the best of the keys to success provided to them by the McNair Scholars Program.

West Virginia University

McNair Scholars Newsletter

SUMMER 2016 VOLUME 17, ISSUE 1

McNair Honors 2015/2016 Graduates

December 2015 graduates (L to R): Regan

Summers, Candice McLaughlin, Jordan

Drew, Kelsey Flinn, Rebecca Hagedorn.

Graduate school, here we come! Our graduates will begin fall enrollment in these programs:

Scholar Graduate Program

Kevin Acquah Master’s in Industrial Engineering at WVU

Ellen Aguilera Ph.D. in Chemistry at University of Michigan

Rebecca Hagedorn Ph.D. in Animal & Nutritional Sciences at WVU

Catherine Hefner Master’s in Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy at America University

Brandy Ledesma Master’s of Social Work at University of Denver

Roger Jennette Master’s in Geography at WVU

Jamea Kidrick Ph.D. in Animal & Poultry Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Kelsey McCoy Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Joi Newberne Master’s in Counseling at WVU

Ryan North Ph.D. in Bioengineering at George Mason University

Regan Summers Master’s in Child Psychology at Duquesne University

Nicole Young Will teach English in Malaysia on the 2016 Fulbright Scholarship

Scholarships and Awards

McNair Commemorates 30th Anniversary of the Challenger To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, which occurred on January 28th, 1986, our

McNair Scholars held activities in the student union to honor the seven astronauts who gave the ultimate sac-

rifice for science and education. In attendance was Hampton Cokeley, WV Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s

field office representative, who shed light on the bravery of all seven astronauts and the state’s commitment

to supporting the legacy of Dr. Ronald E. McNair through the McNair Scholars Program.

WVU TRiO Directors and McNair Scholars pictured with

Mr. Hampton Cokeley after the commemorative event

“When I look back, I can say the sacrifice of

these astronauts have paved the way for first

generation and minority students like us to go to

college and not only get an undergraduate de-

gree, but Ph.D. eventually.’’

Kevin Acquah, 2015 Scholar

Seven Challenger astronauts remembered

Courtney McDonald was a 2016 WV

TRiO Scholarship recipient. (upper R)

Brandy Ledesma received a

MEAEOPP Scholarship award. (lower R)

Dr. Cheryl McNeil was presented an Out-

standing Service Award at the May graduation

dinner for her exceptional efforts in mentoring

McNair Scholars since 2007. Her first McNair

mentee, Chelsea Derlan, received her Ph.D. in

Clinical Psychology from Arizona State Uni-

versity in May, 2016.

Dr. Heather Washington,

2005 scholar, was recognized as

an Outstanding alumna at the

WVU Eberly College of Arts

and Sciences Recognition Din-

ner on April 15, 2016.

Proud to announce that two McNair alumnae completed their doctorates in 2015-2016:

L: Jackie Bass (2000) received a Ph.D. in Po-

litical Science from UC Berkeley in Dec.,

2015.

R: Chelsea Der lan (2007) received her Ph.D.

in Clinical Psychology from Arizona State Uni-

versity in May, 2016.

Alumni News

McNair Scholars, Rebecca Hagedorn and Regan Summers, who graduated

in December, 2015, presented their McNair Research at the University of

Delaware McNair Conference in October, 2015. All seven May 2016 grad-

uates also presented at the University of Maryland (UMD) McNair Confer-

ence in March, 2016.

2015-2016 Conferences

The following McNair alumni completed their master’s degrees in the spring semester of 2016:

Solomon Adu (2013) — Mathematics from WVU

Adam Betman (2013) — Public Policy from American University

Brittany Bailey (2013) — Clinical and Health Psychology from University of Florida

Sharrell Barnes (2013) — Communication Science and Disorders from University of Kentucky

Chloe Brown (2012) — Sociology from American University

Jasmine Koech (2012) — Will receive Master’s in Psychology from College of William and Mary in August

Roger Jefferys (2012) — Will receive Master’s in Forensic and Investigative Science from WVU in August

Jessica Latham (2012) — International Services from American University

Milda Mullins (2012) — Journalism from WVU

Michael Powell (2012) — Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University

Sherain Thomas (2012) — Occupational Therapy from WVU

Michelle Watson (2012) — Educational Psychology from WVU

Scholars Elizabeth Janeiro (above) and Kevin

Acquah (below) presenting research

at the UMD conference

McNair Scholar Jamea Kidrick (R)

receiving a certificate upon presenting

her research at the UMD Conference

Rebecca Hagedorn won second

place in the Oral Presentation Compe-

tition at the University of Delaware

McNair Research Conference.

Cultural Activities

Who Qualifies to Become a WVU McNair Scholar?

Highly motivated, disciplined and hard working students who are first-generation college students with demonstrat-

ed financial need OR members of groups that are underrepresented in graduate education as defined by the U.S. De-

partment of Education (African-American, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, and Native

Hawaiian) and also

Are enrolled in WVU full-time as undergraduate students

Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Have cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

When to apply: Eligible students may apply during the fall semester of their sophomore or junior year.

Download application form from http://mcnair.wvu.edu, and submit before January 15.

The WVU McNair Scholars Program coordinates cultural, social and community service events aimed to promote

learning outside of the classroom. In February, McNair staff and scholars joined WVU TRiO Student Support Ser-

vices staff and students on the National Trio Day of Service to create Valentine’s Day cards (See picture below - Cen-

ter) to be distributed to local nursing homes. For cultural activities, scholars tried a variety of food from different cul-

tures at local restaurants, while learning the history and significance of these cultures in our modern society.

WVU McNair Scholars Program 600013100006

305 Student Services Center

PO Box 6212

Morgantown, WV 26506-6212

Dr. Betty Mei, Program Director (Betty.Mei@mail.wvu.edu), Hellen Nditsi, Program Coordinator (hnditsi@mail.wvu.edu), Charles

Mawusi, Graduate Assistant (ckmawusi@mail.wvu.edu). Office Address: WVU McNair Scholars Program, 305 Student Services Center ,

PO Box 6212, Morgantown, WV 26506-6212 Phone: (304) 293-4316 Fax: (304) 293-4365 Website: http://mcnair .wvu.edu