Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research, housed in the Staley School of leadership, recognizes and celebrates the 2024 McNair Mentors for their contributions to the Kansas State University McNair Scholars’ academic and professional growth as they prepare for graduate education. McNair mentors play a large role in the development of the undergraduate researchers and are helpful in providing a trajectory toward graduate education.
McNair Scholars interviewed and invited a faculty member to serve as a mentor for their Summer Internship. This summer, eleven K-State faculty members are serving as mentors through the Scholars’ 8-week summer internship, taking place June 6-July 26.
As a mentor, each faculty member will:
- Guide the scholar through completion of research project including submission of written materials
- Help the scholar understand theoretical frameworks and methodologies
- Encourage understanding of discipline-specific professional trajectory, such as expectations for graduate program applicants
Thank you, to the following mentors for the 2024 McNair Summer Internship:
- Traci Brimhall, Ph.D., English
- Shijiao Huang, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
- Jung Sim Jun, Ph.D., MSW, Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
- Tania Kim, Ph.D., Entomology
- Kim Klinger-Logan, Ph.D., Mathematics
- Mary Kohn, Ph.D., English
- Wendy Matlock, Ph.D., English
- Jesse Nippert, Ph.D., Biology
- Brad Olson, Ph.D., Biology
- Brian Peterson, Ph.D., Horticulture and Natural Resources
- Nicholas Wallace, Ph.D., Biology
Save the date: Scholars will be presenting their research findings Wednesday, July 24. Mentors and the K-State Community are encouraged to attend this event to support the McNair Scholars and learn what our students are passionate about. More details will be shared soon.
The TRIO McNair Scholars Program promotes the scholarly development of academically talented first-generation, income-eligible college students and students from groups underrepresented in graduate education. The goal of the program is to increase the number of people from these groups holding graduate degrees and serving in the ranks of faculty and researchers.
If you are faculty member who is interested in mentoring McNair Scholars research, either student or faculty lead, please reach out to Karina Moncayo-Michel at karinamichel@ksu.edu to be added to the 2025 interested mentor list.
Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research is housed within the Staley School of Leadership. The Staley School also includes undergraduate and graduate leadership studies academic programs, leadership and service co-curricular programs, and the University Honors Program. The Staley School equips learners with leadership skills and academic excellence through applied learning experiences, in-class learning, and community partnerships around the world. To learn more, visit www.k-state.edu/leadership.
