UNCO McNair Scholars Program

09/19/2025

Keep calling Congress to pressure the Department of Ed to release McNair funds by Sept 30 or McNair Scholars across the country will lose their support this fall

Contexts is a quarterly magazine that makes cutting-edge social research accessible to general readers.

09/16/2025

We have work to do!

Alumni, join our call TODAY, Tuesday, September 16 at 4:00 PM EST! https://lnkd.in/d9xNtuA6

This is not a drill! TRIO’s future hangs in the balance and our fate will be decided by October 1.

Right now, the Trump Administration is withholding millions of dollars in TRIO funding. It’s up to our community to get those funds released! It is imperative that we act with urgency, otherwise, the students who rely on TRIO services will be irreparably harmed.

(As of this writing, we already know of several TRIO programs that have temporarily closed up shop, and students are NOT being served at this most critical time in the academic year.)

Here is what you can do now:

Step 1: Craft your message. Your message does not have to be lengthy or fanciful. But it must be clear and direct. Here is a sample:

“My name is __________ and I am a constituent from [District/State]. I am also an alum of the Federal TRIO Programs and I am very concerned that the government has not yet released all the TRIO grant funding for this year. I am asking that [Representative/Senator] contact the Secretary of Education and ensure that all TRIO grants are released immediately – and certainly before September 30!”

Step 2: Call your Members of Congress. Visit https://lnkd.in/dt68e_8B to identify your House Representative and Senators. Ask to speak with the education aide. You may get a voicemail. You may be asked to “leave a message” with the front desk. That’s ok. Share your message!

09/13/2025

McNair programs nationwide may be shut down Sept 30th!

If you believe in our mission of preparing first-generation students for grad school, please call your Members of Congress to advocate for our ongoing funding!

For sample scripts and contact information, see https://coenet.org/protect-the-ronald-e-mcnair-post-baccalaureate-achievement-program/

02/02/2025

📢 TRIO students, families, professionals, and alumni—your voice matters! Join the Council for two powerful advocacy events designed to help you advocate for TRIO programs. 📢

Monday, Feb. 3 | 6:30 - 7:30 PM ET
TRIO Voices Unite: Student & Alumni Advocacy Webinar
Gain essential tools to share your TRIO story effectively. Register here: https://bit.ly/40US8FV

Wednesday, Feb. 5 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM ET
Advocacy Writing Lounge
Work alongside others to craft compelling letters to Congress in support of TRIO funding. Register here: https://bit.ly/40FK1LI

02/01/2025

As we enter the second Trump Administration, McNair (and other TRIO) programs are bracing for existential challenges. The recent freeze of federal funding reveals how quickly these programs could disappear.

If McNair was a meaningful experience for you and you’d like future students to have the same opportunities, please consider contacting your Members of Congress in our behalf. Our representatives (and their staffers) do not always know the impact of these programs. If you have a moment to share your story, it could make a difference.

You can find a portal with a sample message in support of TRIO here.

https://www.congressweb.com/CFOE/15/

TRIO alumni are invited to join a webinar on Monday to learn how best to advocate for our programs.

https://coenet.org/conferences-events/trio-voices-unite-student-and-alumni-advocacy-webinar/

Other resources for easily contacting Congress are

https://resist.bot/
https://5calls.org

Indivisible, MoveOn and Working Families Party are hosting a national action call on Sunday, Feb 2 at 6pm MST.

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/752072/

Indivisible and Mobilize are places to connect with other local groups determined to fight back.

https://indivisble.org
https://www.mobilize.us

Thanks for all your support and engagement over the years. Please take care!!

Conferences & Events TRIO Voices Unite: Student and Alumni Advocacy Webinar February 03, 2025 Virtual 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET Join us for an empowering webinar designed for TRIO Students, Parents, and Alumni, hosted by the Council. Discover the tools you need to share the importance of TRIO Programs an...

10/04/2024

We're incredibly proud of their hard work and can't wait to see their projects unfold!

3 Sociology majors and 1 minor doing amazing research in the awesome McNair program! These students’ projects will positively impact society as well as propel their own graduate academic futures ✨

07/02/2024

We had a great time in our painting class 🎨🏔️
We embraced the process and our creativity ✨🌀

05/07/2024

Congratulations, Madeline! We’re so proud of you. You are already making a difference in the world!

Madeline Dannewitz risks it all to become educated building a future on her own

04/24/2024

Our students also presented at the UNC Fall Research Showcase 🐻
We love the variety of projects and contributions to academia that comes from diverse students with diverse background 🌎

04/24/2024

Just a quick brag about our students that presented at NCUR 2024 in Long Beach, California. We are so proud of all your hard work and the way you represented yourselves and our program. ✨
A trip full of sun, scholarship, and community. ☀️