McNair Fellows

Wesleyan McNair Fellows are Juniors and Seniors who receive funding to conduct research alongside a faculty member and participate in group activities as a cohort. A key aspect of the Fellows' experience is the 8-week Summer Research Program held on the Wesleyan campus. This summer research program combines mentored research, research skills and graduates school admission workshops, visits to graduate schools, and other activities designed to strengthen cohort bonds.

McNair Fellow activities include:

• Weekly meetings with McNair staff and/or McNair faculty mentor covering:
  • Writing a research proposal and abstract, and outlining a thesis or research paper
  • Providing updates on research project
  • Managing research time within a busy semester
  • Presenting research at lab meetings and conferences
  • Writing a statement of purpose
  • Navigating graduate school admissions and funding processes
  • Preparating for graduate school interviews
  • Receiving academic and personal advising
• Participating in peer reviews to give and receive constructive feedback
• Attending graduate school admissions workshops, panels, and visit
• Engaging in Fall Wesleyan Faculty Research Talks
• Participating in Spring Senior Research Talks
• Attending various co-sponsored events with the Gordon Career Center, Office for Equity & Inclusion, The Resource Center, College of Integrated Sciences, and other departments/organizations focused on preparing for and successfully progressing through doctoral programs.

To be eligible for a $2,800 stipend, McNair Fellows must:

• Have Junior standing at the university, meaning they have completed at least 14 credits and been accepted into a department or program major
• Secure a research position with a faculty member and engage in at least 8 hours of research per week during the academic year and 35 hours of research per week during the 8-week Summer Research Program
• Complete a Research Proposal with assistance from their McNair faculty mentor (both the Fellow's and faculty mentor's signatures are required)
• Maintain bi-weekly Activity Logs documenting their research activities and McNair services engaged in (signatures from both the Fellow and faculty mentor are required)
• Attend all semester or summer workshops and meetings
• Submit an end-of-semester or summer program research project that synthesizes their research conducted during that period
• Juniors are required to enroll in and participate in the CIS400 Junior Professional Development & Graduate School Preparation Seminar and attend the McNair Senior Research Talk in the spring.
• Seniors are required to enroll in and participate in the CIS400 Senior Professional Development & Graduate School Preparation Seminar in the fall and present a McNair Senior Research Talk in the spring.
  

Current Fellows