West Virginia University McNair Scholars Newsletter SUMMER 2015 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1 McNair Scholars Program Welcomes 2015 Scholars Back Row (L to R): Bobby Moore, Hanah Conlan, Samantha Shimer, Roger Jennette, Kevin Acquah, Collin Hinton, Rebecca Hagedorn, Ryan North Front Row (L to R): Elizabeth Janeiro, Jamea Kidrick, Courtney McDonald, Nicole Young, Kelsey McCoy, Lauren Pizzurro, Regan Summers 2015 Scholar Major Faculty Mentor Kevin Acquah Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering Dr. Ilkin Bilgesu Hanah Conlan Psychology Dr. Regina Carroll Rebecca Hagedorn Human Nutrition & Foods Dr. Melissa Olfert Collin Hinton Biology Dr. Andrew Dacks Elizabeth Janeiro Sport and Exercise Psychology Dr. Karen Anderson Roger Jennette Anthropology Dr. Dan Renfrew Jamea Kidrick Animal & Nutritional Science Dr. Kimberly Barnes Kelsey McCoy Psychology Dr. Cheryl McNeil Courtney McDonald Psychology Dr. Nick Turiano Bobby Moore Multidisciplinary Studies Dr. Rachael Woldoff Ryan North Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Dr. Marvin Cheng Lauren Pizzurro Multidisciplinary Studies Dr. Amy Fiske Regan Summers Psychology Dr. Nick Turiano Samantha Shimer International Studies Dr. Cynthia Gorman Nicole Young Sport and Exercise Psychology Dr. Natalie Shook
University of Maryland National Conference 2015 Thirteen scholars presented at the University of Maryland Conference which was held March 12-14, 2015. The scholars also networked with other McNair Scholars from universities across the nation. Scholars reflection of their experiences are shared below. The dean s panel with deans from John Hopkins to University of Maryland was insightful. We received great tips on how to make us stand out during the application process. Ellen Aguilera My experience as a presenter was very enriching. I truly enjoyed presenting my McNair research and felt very confident in front of my audience. James Hartnett II I am overwhelmed with the opportunities that the WVU McNair program has given me. This conference, in particular, will improve my presentation and networking skills. Catherine Hefner Scholarships and Awards Joi Newberne (pictured right) and Cathy Hefner, 2014 scholars, have both been selected as our regional TRiO association (MEAEOPP) scholarship recipients. (This competition is among six states in our region.) Our 2013 scholar, Jordan Lovejoy, also a 2014 Udall Scholar, won the Robert F. Munn Library Scholars Award for her McNair research paper. Sherain Thomas, 2012 scholar has been selected as a WV TRiO Scholarship recipient. (This was a state competition.) Kelsey Flinn, 2014 scholar, won first place in the Davis College graduate poster presentations for her McNair project. Dr. Debbie Boone is her faculty mentor. Dr. Sam Zizzi, McNair faculty mentor, is CPASS Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Dr. Natalie Shook, McNair faculty mentor, is Eberly College Outstanding Researcher. Cecily Flight, 2013 scholar, won the Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in Morocco for the 2015-2016 year. Brandy Ledesma, (pictured left) 2014 scholar, was recognized for her leadership and advocacy with the presentation of the MLK Scholarship.
Congrats. to 2015 May Graduates Congratulations to all the McNair Scholars who graduated this past May. At the graduation luncheon, students were encouraged to pursue their doctorates by Dr. Gabrielle St. Leger (2000 cohort). Here are our graduates first steps upon graduation from WVU: Scholar James Abdallah Jacqueline Fowler James Hartnett II Jordan Lovejoy Allie Nwosu Chelsea Slade Sherain Thomas Leigh-Ann Wilkins Graduate School Ohio State University Master s in Communication WVU Master s in Sociology WVU Master s in Counseling Psychology Ohio State University Ph.D. in English Oregon State University Master s in Family Therapy WVU Master s in Public Administration WVU Master s in Occupational Therapy Drexel University Master s in Economics Farewell and Best Wishes! Left to Right: Ally Makono, Allie Nwosu, Chelsea Slade, Isaiah Taylor, Jacqueline Fowler, J.C. Abdallah, James Hartnett II, Kiersten Woods, Jordan Lovejoy Not pictured: Ekanem Eyoita, Sherain Thomas and Leigh-Ann Wilkins McNair Advisory board member, Bruce E. Mitchell II, sharing thoughts Dr. St. Leger speaking to the graduates The McNair staff and scholars would like to bid a fond farewell to Dr. Michelle McAlarnen, our graduate assistant. Dr. McAlarnen earned her Ph.D. at WVU in May, 2015 in Sport and Exercise Psychology. We wish Dr. McAlarnen the best of luck in the future and thank her greatly for all her efforts and commitment to the McNair program and scholars.
Highlights from the 2015 Summer Research Internship In addition to the academic work during the Summer Research Internship, there are many opportunities for students to bond with their peers, gain insight from faculty, and have some fun. Dr. Julie Patrick, Dr. Michelle McAlarnen, and graduate student mentors Charles Mawusi, Sae-Mi Lee, Jason Ottley, and Kendra Thorne spent countless hours helping scholars with their proposals and presentations. Scholars also visited Penn State for a graduate campus visit. The internship culminated in a research symposium during which scholars presented their research proposals to peers and faculty mentors. Here are highlights from the summer! Thank You to All Faculty Mentors Every year, professors from a variety of fields lend their time, expertise, and dedication to serve as Faculty Mentors to foster academic achievement in McNair Scholars. THANK YOU! Rebecca Hagedorn and mentor, Dr. Melissa Olfert (L) Bobby Moore pictured with Dr. Rachael Woldoff at the McNair symposium Dr. Nick Turiano with his two mentees: Regan Summers (L) and Courtney McDonald (R)
Proud Alumni News (R) Leilani Browning (2005 cohort) successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in May at WVU in the Curriculum and Instruction program. (Below) Adrienne Gauna (2007) received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Florida College of Medicine in August, 2015. Following right along, Lauren Dembeck (2006) also received her Ph.D. in Genetics from North Carolina State University. We re so proud of these alumni and others who are achieving the McNair dreams! Congrats. to our alumni who were May/August 2015 graduates from their graduate programs! The years listed after each Scholar refer to cohort years, not WVU graduation date. John Armour ( 07) received a Doctorate of Jurisdiction from UC Hastings College of the Law in May. Jonathan Glover ( 01) graduated in June with a Master s of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Sonia Hamidi ( 10) received her Doctorate in Audiology from WVU in May. Ricky Huffman ( 12) completed her Master s in Integrated Marketing Communications from WVU in May. Michael Ibekwe ( 11) received his Master s of Public Health in Health Policy Management & Leadership from WVU in May. Angie Martinez ( 12) earned her Master s of Community Planning at the University of Maryland in May and received the Melvin Levin Outstanding MCP Student Award. Honietia Morgan ( 09) completed her Master s in Counseling Psychology from WVU in May. Marlenea Morgan ( 09) graduated in May with a Master s of Public Administration from WVU. Milda Mullins ( 12) earned her Master s in Journalism from WVU in May. Kassey Riffle ( 12) received her Master s in History from WVU in May. Alee Robins ( 07) graduated in May with a Master s in History from WVU. Kendra Thorne ( 12) completed her Master s in Counseling Psychology from WVU in May. University of California Berkeley McNair Conference 2015 Ellen Aguilera, Jordan Drew, and Brandy Ledesma of the 2014 cohort presented their research at the UC Berkeley McNair Conference held on July 29-August 2. As Brandy puts it, Given the opportunity to visit the campus and present my research at the Symposium was eye opening. I am grateful to have attended the conference. Ellen, a chemistry major, shares, I was greatly encouraged to see students from similar background pursuing a Ph.D. or already received the Ph.D. The McNair program has given me an experience to remember. Jordan sums it up like this, Thank you so much for this opportunity! An enlightening experience indeed. Brandy Ledesma presenting her research at the poster session
WVU McNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM 600013100006 305 Student Services Center PO Box 6212 Morgantown, WV 26506-6212 McNair Staff Members: Dr. Betty Mei, Program Director (Betty.Mei@mail.wvu.edu) Hellen Nditsi, Program Coordinator (Hellen.Nditsi@mail.wvu.edu) Charles Mawusi, Graduate Assistant (ckmawusi@mail.wvu.edu) Michelle Watson, Summer Assistant (swatson5@mix.wvu.edu) WVU McNair Scholars Program 305 Student Services Center PO Box 6212, Morgantown WV 26506-6212 Phone: (304) 293-4316 Fax: (304) 293-4365 Website: http://mcnair.wvu.edu Who qualifies to become 2016 McNair Scholars? Full-time West Virginia University undergraduate students who: will have completed sophomore year by May 2016 are interested in pursuing Ph.D. degrees have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are highly motivated, disciplined, and hard working students who are first-generation college students with demonstrated financial need OR members of groups that are underrepresented in graduate education as defined by the U.S. Department of Education: African-American, Hispanic American, Indian/Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian.