EWU McNair Scholar Program

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EWU McNair Scholar Program TRiO McNair The first McNair programs were funded by Congress in 1989 by grants through the Department of Education, and pay tribute to Ronald E.

McNair, PhD, crewmenber on the space shuttle Challenger. The McNair Program at Eastern Washington University began in the 1995-96 academic year. As one of eight federally-funded TRiO programs, the goal of the McNair Program is to increase the attainment of PhD degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.

Get ready for GRADUATE SCHOOL with the McNair Scholars Program! 🎓📚🔥What is the TRIO McNair Scholars Program? The TRIO Mc...
09/22/2026

Get ready for GRADUATE SCHOOL with the McNair Scholars Program! 🎓📚🔥

What is the TRIO McNair Scholars Program? The TRIO McNair program, also known as the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, is a federally funded initiative designed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate school. It provides participants with research opportunities, academic support, mentoring, and guidance on the graduate school application process. The goal of TRIO McNair is to increase the attainment of PhDs by students who are first-generation college students and come from low-income families.

The application for the EWU McNair Scholars Program is now OPEN — apply today to be part of the next cohort of incredible researching scholars, and get a head start on your professional journey.

In order to apply, you must be a sophomore or junior undergraduate student, be considered a first generation & low-income student (federal requirements) and lastly, be interested in applying to graduate school (Masters/PhD).

Scan the QR code on the flyer to be taken to the McNair Eligibility Questionnaire, to see if you are eligible!

Applications are OPEN through November 16th, 2026!

If you have any questions regarding the program or the application process, please email McNair Director, Dr. Christy Gilchrist at [email protected] or [email protected]

GO EAGS!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our McNair Symposium 2026! We had such a great time celebrating with you...
08/17/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our McNair Symposium 2026! We had such a great time celebrating with you and are so proud of our scholars for all the hard work they’ve put in.

It was wonderful to see their dedication and growth shine through!
Congratulations, scholars — we’re so proud of you! You did it!!!

Welcome the New Academic Advisor for EWU’s McNair Scholars Program!Hey everyone! I’m excited to be part of this amazing ...
07/30/2026

Welcome the New Academic Advisor for EWU’s McNair Scholars Program!

Hey everyone! I’m excited to be part of this amazing program and to continue supporting Eastern Washington University students on their academic journeys. I’ve held multiple roles at Eastern, including DEI council member, Eaglestore Student Lead, and GSA for the McNair Program. I’m very happy to be back at my alma mater to help support students both academically and socially!

A little about me: I’m Mexican and moved from Mexico to Washington when I was eight years old about to be nine. I grew up in Okanogan, WA, in a tiny town near the Canadian border. I recently graduated from EWU with my master’s degree in social work. I also completed my undergraduate degree at EWU in Psychology, with minors in Art and Spanish. As I mentioned, I’ve had a variety of roles at EWU, and I’m just thrilled to be here.

Some fun facts about me: I love plants, my dog Cookie Boy, crafting and painting, and—since I’m a huge talker—getting to know new people!

If you’re interested in grad school, please stop by our office to chat about your academic goals. I’m excited to meet everyone and to be a support system here at EWU!

with love,
Reyna Ataly Rivera Aristigui

New McNair Scholars for 2025-2026 School Year!!!We are excited to welcome our newest cohort of McNair Scholars for the 2...
07/28/2026

New McNair Scholars for 2025-2026 School Year!!!

We are excited to welcome our newest cohort of McNair Scholars for the 2025–2026 academic year! This dynamic group of seven high-achieving students have already embarked on an intensive journey of academic growth and research through the McNair Summer Research Internship taking place this summer. Their hard work and dedication over the summer mark the beginning of their path toward graduate study and scholarly achievement.
Meet Our 2025–2026 McNair Scholars:
1. Edgar Acosta – Psychology and Criminal Justice
2. Alejandro Tapia Suarez – Health Psychology
3. Caleb Triplett – Computer Engineering
4. Nancy Benson – Psychology and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies
5. Aaron Sullivan – Physics (currently conducting summer research at the University of Notre Dame)
6. Chanel Gonzales – English Education
7. Theo Monet – Anthropology

This summer, each scholar is immersed in hands-on research experiences designed to deepen their expertise and prepare them for future academic success. Notably, Aaron Sullivan is representing our program at the University of Notre Dame, where he is engaging in advanced research in Physics this summer.

We are proud of the dedication and intellectual curiosity these students bring to the McNair community. We look forward to seeing their growth and contributions throughout the year, and we applaud their commitment to pursuing excellence in their respective fields.
Congratulations to the 2025–2026 McNair Scholars!

Welcome the New Program Director for EWU’s McNair Scholars Program!Hello! I am so very happy to join the amazing commun...
07/24/2026

Welcome the New Program Director for EWU’s McNair Scholars Program!

Hello! I am so very happy to join the amazing community of the Eastern Washington University McNair Scholars Program!! I’m joining over the summer and have already met many of the scholars in the EWU McNair Summer Research Internship! I hear some are out on their own summer research adventures.

A little about me—I’m Tlingit (Native Alaskan) but grew up in North Spokane. My PhD is from WSU in Educational Psychology. That said, the program was in statistics, research design, program evaluation, and student assessment/psychometrics. My whole life has been partnering with subject matter experts and providing either scientific support (like statistics and research design consulting), program evaluations (including grants), adding administrative support working in the grants office, overseeing clinical research in a multi-hospital system headquartered in Green Bay, WI, working for a pharmaceutical company, and also in higher education. I want to draw on my experience to support you through your research projects and applications to graduate school!

I love music, especially K-Pop! I am a weaver and create Native American baskets. I love trying new things, especially with food and drinks.

Come stop by when you can! I look forward to partnering with you on your journey!

Gunalchéesh,
Christy Gilchrist

From EWU to Gonzaga: Zaid McCurdy’s Path to Clinical Mental Health Counseling!Zaid McCurdy, a dedicated McNair Scholar, ...
06/08/2026

From EWU to Gonzaga: Zaid McCurdy’s Path to Clinical Mental Health Counseling!

Zaid McCurdy, a dedicated McNair Scholar, will graduate from Eastern Washington University this June with a major in Applied Developmental Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Zaid’s academic journey has centered on understanding human development, the social influences that shape behavior, and the field of educational psychology. His research as a McNair Scholar has focused on the psychological impacts of digital media on cognitive and socio-emotional development, particularly among adolescents and emerging adults in underserved communities. In recognition of his commitment to bridging research and practice for equitable developmental outcomes, Zaid has been accepted into Gonzaga University’s MA program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, where he will continue his work supporting the holistic growth and well-being of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Yay, Zaid, we are very proud of you!

For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/zaid-mccurdy/

Christopher Nava, McNair Scholar: Charting Success from EWU to Gonzaga’s Graduate Program!Christopher Nava, an accomplis...
06/08/2026

Christopher Nava, McNair Scholar: Charting Success from EWU to Gonzaga’s Graduate Program!

Christopher Nava, an accomplished EWU McNair Scholar, will graduate this June 2026 with a major in Business Marketing and a minor in Data Analytics from EWU. This fall, he will begin his graduate studies in the Master of Business Analytics program at Gonzaga University, furthering his commitment to academic and professional excellence. Christopher’s educational journey is defined by his dedication to continuous improvement, ethical leadership, and a desire to make a positive impact in every community he serves. His leadership skills, developed through his service in the United States Army, have enabled him to inspire and empower others, while his passion for collaboration shines through his involvement with his local neighborhood, fellow veterans, family, and the EWU/McNair community. Accepted into the Ronald E. McNair Scholarship Program in December 2023, Christopher seized every opportunity for growth, including presenting his research at the McNair Summer Research Symposium in August 2024. Looking ahead, he plans to leverage his expertise in business analytics to address societal challenges—such as bridging the digital divide and promoting sustainability—while continuing to strive for excellence and uplift those around him. We are super proud of you, Chris!

For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/christopher-nava/

Celebrating Ryan Finner: McNair Scholar’s Journey from Undergraduate to PhD at University of Oregon!Ryan Finner, a dedic...
06/08/2026

Celebrating Ryan Finner: McNair Scholar’s Journey from Undergraduate to PhD at University of Oregon!

Ryan Finner, a dedicated McNair Scholar and first-generation college student, will graduate this June 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies), along with minors in Anthropology and Psychology. This fall, Ryan will begin his PhD in Sociology at the University of Oregon, where he aims to further his passion for research and advocacy. As an Academic Coach at PLUS, Ryan has shown a deep commitment to fostering inclusive environments for marginalized communities and aspires to become a university professor. His academic journey is marked by impactful research, including summer work on how multilingual college students navigate academic spaces, and current research from a DuBoisian perspective on how Black communities revitalize cultural spaces in response to gentrification. Ryan’s interests span race and ethnicity, social inequalities, housing policy, environmental justice, and urban sociology. Through his pursuit of a PhD, Ryan is dedicated to using research and education to create meaningful change and to advance inclusive policies within higher education and beyond. We are so proud of you, Ryan!

For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/ryan-finner/

Jasmine Joy Paloma, McNair Scholar: A Trailblazer in Social Work and Advocacy!We are immensely proud of Jasmine Joy Palo...
06/04/2026

Jasmine Joy Paloma, McNair Scholar: A Trailblazer in Social Work and Advocacy!

We are immensely proud of Jasmine Joy Paloma, a dedicated McNair Scholar who will graduate this June 2026 with a major in social work and minors in sociology, and anthropology from EWU. As a first-generation college student, Jasmine has consistently excelled, earning a spot on the dean's list and serving as the president of the Asian Student Association Club, which she helped establish. With plans to attend the University of Washington for her Master of Social Work in the fall, Jasmine aims to further her research in social justice and historical oppression to better serve marginalized communities. Her commitment to advocacy and academic excellence is truly inspiring. You will do amazing things, Jasmine!

For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/jasmine-joy-paloma/

Proudly Celebrating Brasin Benjamin, McNair Scholar: From Undergraduate to Graduate School!We are incredibly proud of Br...
06/04/2026

Proudly Celebrating Brasin Benjamin, McNair Scholar: From Undergraduate to Graduate School!

We are incredibly proud of Brasin Benjamin, a distinguished McNair Scholar who is set to graduate with his undergraduate degree in International Affairs with minors in Communication Studies and Sociology this June 2026 from Eastern Washington University. He plans to attend graduate school at the University of Washington's Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies in the fall. As a first-generation Marshallese student, Brasin has excelled in leadership roles, including serving as President of the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander club and as a Community Advisor, supporting diverse students in their transitions to college. In the fall, he will be attending graduate school, where he aims to further his research on climate change, nuclear weapons policy, and international diplomacy, continuing his commitment to advocating for vulnerable communities. We are so proud of you, Brasin!

For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/brasin-benjamin/

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