The University of Wisconsin-Madison McNair Program is dedicated to preparing low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students for graduate education leading to a Ph.D. This program is named after Dr. Ronald E. McNair, one of the first African American astronauts. He died in the1986 explosion aboard the Challenger space shuttle. Before his death, Dr. McNair reached out to help others become their best, especially through education.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program recognizes that the diversity of scholars is integral to excellence, and seeks to groom a new generation of scholars and researchers that will more accurately reflect the growing diversity in intellectual perspectives, life experience, and cultures represented in academia. Twenty-five UW-Madison Scholars participate in this competitive graduate school preparitory program designed to provide them with the tools necessary for success in graduate education and for a career in academia and research.

A particular focus of this program is to provide research opportunities for McNair Scholars. Our students conduct research with the guidance of faculty mentors, who facilitate the students’ academic growth. McNair Scholars also attend and present at national research conferences, receive one-on-one academic counseling, participate in professional development workshops, and attend informational seminars on all aspects of graduate school, including the application process.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison McNair Scholars Program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Education, TRIO programs, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School Office of Minority Programs.