McNair Scholars Program Preparing Students for Success in Graduate Education

Caleb Marrero '25 is an aspiring physical therapist who has visions of opening a private PT practice where he can specialize in treating athletes and contribute to his field via research. In UNH's McNair Scholars program, he found the ideal platform to help get him there.

Marrero had the career vision taken care of. What he was looking for where some of the tools the McNair program - which prepares first-generation college students with financial need or those traditionally underrepresented in graduate education for entrance to Ph.D. programs in all fields of study - provides. (Those underrepresented groups include Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Native American Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native.)

And those tools have taken him exactly where he wants to go, as Marrero was recently admitted to his top choice for graduate school, Boston University's DPT/Ph.D. program, which he plans to begin in May.

"The program's emphasis on research, mentorship and preparation for graduate studies strongly appealed to me," Marrero says. "I knew it would provide the structure, resources and connections necessary to thrive in a competitive Ph.D./DPT program while allowing me to explore my passion for research in a supportive environment."

The McNair Scholars program is a federally funded TRIO program administered by the U.S. Department of Education and has been active at UNH since 1991 (UNH is the only institution in New Hampshire to offer it). The program, which sits within the UNH Institute for Student Success, is grant-funded and supports 32 students each year, providing funding for participants to take part in activities designed to give them a competitive edge when applying to graduate school.

That includes graduate school visits, attendance at conferences within their area of interest and mentorship with a faculty member who helps guide a research project. Students in the program have an opportunity to present their research at local, regional and national conferences.

"The students in our program come from backgrounds that are first-generation, low-income, or historically underrepresented, and they are truly trailblazers, forging a path to a successful future," says Rebecca Barbour, director of the McNair Scholars Program at UNH. "Many are the first in their families to earn an undergraduate degree, and now they're pursuing a Ph.D. or a master's program - it is very inspiring."

For Marrero, a health sciences major, the program offered a direct path to his goal of opening his own clinic. The research element, in particular, was attractive, as he hopes to continue exploring athlete health, particularly mental health and injury recovery, as he develops as a professional.

"I envision my practice as a space where I can combine my clinical skills with the latest research to provide comprehensive care tailored to everyone," he says. "The coolest part of the McNair Scholars Program is the exposure to such a wide range of diverse research projects. Every scholar has a unique focus, and it's fascinating to learn about different methodologies, challenges and findings. No two projects are alike, and this diversity creates an inspiring environment where you're constantly learning not just about your field but also about others."

James Brackett '26 is a biomedical science: medical and veterinary science major who plans to complete a master's program and ultimately attend medical school. The McNair program has provided him with some memorable opportunities, he says, including a trip to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he and his cohort presented at a research conference with other McNair scholars from around the country.

"It sounds daunting, however, throughout the whole summer the professors and McNair staff did a wonderful job helping us hammer out the kinks in our presentation skills and reassuring us that we were the experts in our field," Brackett says. "I think the most important thing I learned was how paramount research is when it comes to solving the world's problems, and after listening to the research done by those in my cohort, I know some of us are on track to do so."

The research element of the program is a significant selling point, Barbour says, as students get the chance to work on and present research as undergrads and also receive mentorship from a faculty member working in their area of interest. The research component is summer-intensive, with 40 hours per week of research (including class time and lab/field time) and includes free room and board for McNair Scholars, plus a $5,000 stipend to cover expenses for eight weeks during the process.

Brackett credits the McNair program for helping to foster strong relationships among participants in his cohort and for strengthening his confidence in presenting research. He says he would tell potential future applicants to look into the program as something that "could ultimately change the course of your life."

That camaraderie among participants is something many McNair Scholars feel, Barbour says. With hundreds of scholars having gone through the program since it debuted at UNH and McNair Scholars from other schools enrolling in graduate programs at UNH, there is a massive network of support available.

"There is a remarkable network of students and alumni, which is another unique aspect of the program. The sense of community among McNair Scholars is truly special," says Barbour. "It's a close-knit group, not only among the current students but also those who have been part of the program over the past 30-plus years."

Students can come to UNH as pre-McNair if they know graduate school is a path they want to pursue before they begin their first year (those students officially move up to become McNair Scholars as sophomores). But students can apply to enter the program after their freshman, sophomore or junior year, as well.

No matter how students enter, Barbour says she is always excited to see them thrive at UNH and continue that development after they graduate, as the McNair program has provided the opportunity to follow many success stories from UNH to the pursuit of advanced degrees and beyond.

For Barbour, that's something that never gets old.

"These students are exceptionally dedicated, and it's really a privilege to support them through this comprehensive program, paving the way for their future success," says Barbour.

The McNair Scholars program is currently accepting applications for the spring semester: https://www.unh.edu/student-success/mcnair-scholars-program

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