Contact Us

McNairs Scholars Program
PSB 382F
2601 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans Louisiana 70122

Ph:  (504) 816.4004
Fx:  (504) 816.4327 
mcnair@dillard.edu

Office Hours:
M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

McNairs Scholars Program

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, also known as the McNair Scholars Program, is a U.S. Department of Education TRIO initiative founded to “prepare eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.” Those who participate in the program can be undergraduate students. The aim of the program is to increase the number of Ph.D. recipients from underrepresented communities and backgrounds.

  • Graduate school application support, including personal statement development
  • Graduate school visits
  • Paid summer research
  • Faculty research mentorship
  • Graduate school financial support and information sessions
  • Graduate school test preparation
  • Summer internships
  • Tutoring and academic counseling
Ronald McNair headshot

Who was Ronald McNair?

Dr. Ronald E. McNair was a NASA physicist and astronaut who died in 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger exploded only 73 seconds into its flight. Dr. McNair graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in engineering physics. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for participation in the McNair Scholars Program:

  • Interest in research and graduate school programs
  • First-generation college student
  • Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Earned at least 30 credit hours at Dillard
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Must secure a Dillard faculty recommendation

Open to students from all majors!

Program Advisors

Tracie Thomas, Director
(504) 816-5004
tthomas@dillard.edu

Tiffany Kirkwood, Program Coordinator
(504) 816-4619
tkirkwood@dillard.edu