SALT LAKE CITY - Join Westminster University as we celebrate 20 years as the exclusive home of the only Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program in the state of Utah, a program that supports underrepresented students succeed in higher education.
The McNair Scholars Program is a federally-funded effort to increase the number of students from underrespresented groups who go on to graduate study. The program is named after Ronald E. McNair, an African-American physicist and NASA astronaut who died in the Challenger explosion in 1986.
“In the span of 20 years, hundreds of students have benefited from the McNair Scholars Program at Westminster, allowing students from underrepresented communities to receive the support and mentorship they need to excel in higher education. Many have gone on to receive doctoral degrees or become professors themselves. This is evidence that programs like this are making a difference by making higher education more accessible and inclusive,” said Karla Motta, McNair Scholars Program Director.
Since the program’s inception at Westminster University in 2003, over 209 students have benefited from the program, advancing their education through graduate programs and doctoral degrees. Nearly 70% of our alumni who participated in the McNair Scholars Program have either earned an advanced degree or remained in the graduate study pipeline.
The Westminster University McNair Scholars Program draws students from three campuses: Westminster University, Salt Lake Community College, and College of Southern Idaho. By encouraging and supporting qualified students through undergraduate school and the transition to graduate school, the ultimate goal is to increase faculty diversity in colleges and universities.
“The McNair Scholars Program changed my life. There is no doubt in my mind, that I would not be where I am today without it. This program is incredibly important to underrepresented groups as it supplies the knowledge and resources necessary to get the foot in the door for graduate school. Without McNair, the journey would have been more difficult. I am incredibly thankful for my experience in McNair. Individuals that were my mentors have stayed in my life, showing up for my college graduation, reaching out to me during my first year of PhD program, sent me words of encouragement during preliminary exams, and virtually supported my doctoral defense. Thanks for the opportunities provided by the McNair Scholars Program, I can call myself Dr. Martinez.”
–Viridiana Martinez ‘17
The McNair Scholars program at Westminster University proudly recognizes the efforts of Dr. Mary Jo Hinsdale, who served as one of the longest serving directors for the program, shortly after the inaugural director, Dr. Debra Curry, returned to the east coast. From 2005 until 2020, Dr. Hinsdale worked tirelessly to implement a vision for McNair to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students to enter doctoral programs, earn PhDs, and, to become professors and researchers. Westminster graduates attend schools such as UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Arizona, Clemson University, University of Minnesota, and the University of Washington to name a few. The programs results speak for themselves as you can see the dedication, love and support Dr. Hinsdale brought to McNair and Westminster University, with the hopes of changing the face of higher education. One student wrote, “Lesa, Jo, and Keith, helped me go far!”
MEDIA ARE INVITED
The media is invited to attend the celebration. Please contact Emily Samore, Director of Strategic Communications, for details. Contact Information: esamore@westminsteru.edu.
EVENT DETAILS
- Date: Friday, February 23, 2024
- Time: 8–10:00 a.m.
- Location: Florence J. Gillmor Hall in the Jewett Center of Performing Art Center
Westminster University is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
