Dr. Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
McNair Scholars
118 College Dr., Box 5202
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.6910
Fax: 601.266.6272
usm.edu/federal-trio-programs
The Dr. Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement program is a five-year grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs to institutions of higher learning for projects designed to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair Scholars are undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated strong academic potential. The institution works closely with these students through their undergraduate requirements, encourages their entrance into graduate programs, and tracks their progress to successful completion of advanced degrees. The goal of the McNair Scholars program is to increase the attainment of the Ph.D. by students from under-represented segments of society.
Students who qualify for the McNair Scholars program must be undergraduates with a minimum of 60 semester hours. In all projects, at least two-thirds of the participants must be low-income and first-generation college students. The remaining participants may be from groups that are traditionally under-represented in graduate education. All participants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better. The Southern Miss McNair Scholars program is charged to serve 25 participants per year.
A 10-week summer course is the core of the program and results in the completion and presentation of a significant research paper, and the successful completion of the Graduate Record Examination. Scholars will also participate in monthly workshops to prepare them for the research component of the program.
Student Support Services Program
118 College Dr., Box 5202
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.6910
Fax: 601.266.6272
usm.edu/federal-trio-programs
The Student Support Services program is a five-year grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education TRIO Programs with the mission of providing academic assistance, personal and academic counseling and individual support to eligible undergraduate students. The primary objectives are to assist participants to maintain good academic standing, to persist in college, and to graduate from the university. SSS participants work with professional staff to identify long- and short-term academic and personal goals and the strategies needed to achieve them. SSS participants may use individual and/or group tutoring, educational and developmental workshops, and other activities that promote academic success. Student Support Services is dedicated to creating a supportive climate that will make the university experience a positive one. The program strives to offer its participants access to all the resources that promote academic success.
To be a participant in the Student Support Services program, a student must be a citizen of the U.S. and be enrolled in the university. The U.S. Department of Education stipulates that participants must be any of the following:
- A first-generation college student (neither parent graduated from a four-year college or university)
- A low-income student as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
- A student with a documented disability (learning or physical)
- Or any combination of the above
Additionally, students must demonstrate academic need with a GPA of 3.0 or less and an ACT score of 21 or less. The Southern Miss Student Support Services program is charged to serve 195 students.
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