Michael L. Jeffries, Sr. Center for Access and Academic Success

✨ Research, recognition & a little California sunshine! ☀️📚✈️

The McNair Scholars Program is wrapping up an incredible Summer Research Institute! 🎓🔬 After weeks of research, learning, and preparation, our scholars recently presented their work at two exciting research conferences.

On July 20, 21 McNair Scholars presented their research at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium, with several scholars earning recognition for their outstanding presentations! 👏🏽✨

🏆 Dystonae Clark — Honorable Mention, Research Talk
🏆 Courtney Thomas — Honorable Mention, Poster Presentation
🥈 Richard Flores — 2nd Place, Research Talk

The following day, our scholars headed to California for the McNair UCLA Research Conference! 🌴☀️ From presenting their research and networking with faculty and fellow McNair Scholars to exploring the Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Griffith Observatory, it was an unforgettable week of growth, discovery, and new experiences. 🌙⭐️

We are incredibly proud of all 21 scholars and the dedication they showed throughout the Summer Research Institute. 💙📖

A special thank you to AVC Cobb, Director Alexander-Brown, Associate Director Mr. Cunningham, the Jeffries Center administrative staff, and our amazing graduate mentors Derek, Maria, Monse, and Alexcia for their continued support and dedication to our scholars! 🤍

Congratulations, McNair Scholars! 🎉 Your hard work and research deserve to be celebrated! ✨

Interested in Study Abroad? Apply to First-Gen. & ACES Panama program! 🌍️

ACES 293: Bridging Sustainable and Personal Development Goals in Panama is a Spring Break Study Abroad experience where students will immerse in sustainable development practices while engaging with the community!

Applicants should be...

✅️ Good Academic Standing in Any Major
✅ First-Generation College Student

Swipe for more details & Program flyer! 🛫 🛫 🛫

Tune in to Episode 2 of our CU at the Finish Line Summer drops! 💪

Hear from Isaiah Poe on "Off Campus Community Living" and catch up on all of our previous episodes before the Fall!

Our TRIO McNair Scholars had an outstanding experience at the 2026 SAEOPP McNair Scholars Conference in Atlanta, Georgia! The group included 20 McNair Scholars, accompanied by Dr. Ellison Keeler and Graduate Mentor, Maria!

Our McNair scholars proudly represented Illinois through their research presentations, with 11 students presenting posters and 9 students delivering oral presentations. Their hard work and dedication were recognized during the conference awards ceremony, where three scholars received awards for their presentations!! A special congratulations to:

Praise Kim – 1st Place, Oral Presentation, Life Sciences Category
Anneliese Schmidt Blanco – 2nd Place, Poster Presentation (across all posters)
Courtney Thomas – 3rd Place, Oral Presentation, Physical Sciences Category

Join us in congratulating our McNair Scholars on a successful conference! 🥳 🥳 🥳

🚨 EPISODE ALERT!! 🚨

CU at the Finish Line is BACK with our first of two Summer episode drops!

Hear from Hannah Mathwich on "What do Academic Advisors Do?" and more available on all major platforms

📢 Office Update

Due to inclement weather, all of our office locations will be working remotely beginning at 12:00 PM today.

We will resume our standard operating hours tomorrow, Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe!

Hello Illini! 👋

As the Summer flies by, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of our First-Gen. family!

✨ What a year for First Generation Student Initiatives! ✨

From building community to celebrating academic excellence, our first‑gen scholars have accomplished so much this year!

🎓 Proud to Be First‑Gen Series
🥳 National First-Gen. Week Celebration
📊 Undergraduate Symposium-First Gen Research Scholars Presentations – April 30
🌎 Panama Program Presentations – May 4

Check out what our First‑Gen Scholars have done this year—growth, leadership, and impact! We’re so proud of each of you!

The team is hard at work planning for the next academic year so stay tuned for even more events, programs, and opportunities coming Fall 2026! 💪