SUMMER 2015 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1 McNair Scholars Program Welcomes 2015 … · 2017-08-24 ·...

Back Row (L to R): Bobby Moore, Hanah Conlan, Samantha Shimer , Roger Jennette, Kevin Ac-

quah, Collin Hinton, Rebecca Hagedorn, Ryan North

Front Row (L to R): Elizabeth Janeiro, Jamea Kidr ick, Courtney McDonald, Nicole Young, Kelsey

McCoy, Lauren Pizzurro, Regan Summers

West Virginia University

McNair Scholars Newsletter

SUMMER 2015 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

McNair Scholars Program Welcomes 2015 Scholars

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

Joi Newberne (pictured r ight) and Cathy Hefner, 2014 scholars, have

both been selected as our regional TRiO association (MEAEOPP) schol-

arship 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 fir st 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 Eber ly 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.

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’ reflec-

tion of their experiences are shared below.

Scholarships and Awards

“The dean’s panel with deans from

John Hopkins to University of Mar-

yland 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 pre-

senting my McNair

research and felt

very confident in

front of my audi-

ence.”

—James Hartnett II

“I am overwhelmed with

the opportunities that the

WVU McNair program

has given me. This con-

ference, in particular,

will improve my presen-

tation and networking

skills.”

—Catherine Hefner

Congrats. to 2015 May Graduates Congratulations to all the McNair Scholars who graduated this past May. At the graduation luncheon, stu-

dents were encouraged to pursue their doctorates by Dr. Gabrielle St. Leger (2000 cohort). Here are our

graduates’ first steps upon graduation from WVU:

Farewell and Best Wishes!

The McNair staff and scholars would

like to bid a fond farewell to Dr.

Michelle McAlarnen, our graduate as-

sistant. Dr. McAlarnen earned her Ph.D.

at WVU in May, 2015 in Sport and Ex-

ercise 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 pro-

gram and scholars.

Scholar Graduate School

James Abdallah Ohio State University—Master’s in Communication

Jacqueline Fowler WVU—Master’s in Sociology

James Hartnett II WVU—Master’s in Counseling Psychology

Jordan Lovejoy Ohio State University—Ph.D. in English

Allie Nwosu Oregon State University—Master’s in Family Therapy

Chelsea Slade WVU—Master’s in Public Administration

Sherain Thomas WVU—Master’s in Occupational Therapy

Leigh-Ann Wilkins Drexel University—Master’s in Economics

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 mem-

ber, Bruce E. Mitchell II,

sharing thoughts

Dr. St. Leger speaking to

the graduates

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

Bobby Moore pictured with Dr. Rachael

Woldoff at the McNair symposium Rebecca Hagedorn and mentor,

Dr. Melissa Olfert (L)

Dr. Nick Turiano with his two

mentees: Regan Summers (L) and

Courtney McDonald (R)

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!

University of California Berkeley McNair Conference 2015

Proud Alumni News

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 Jur isdiction 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.

(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 Sci-

ences 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!

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 re-

search 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 remem-

ber.” 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

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 un-

derrepresented in graduate education as defined by the U.S. Department of Education:

African-American, Hispanic American, Indian/Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, and Na-

tive Hawaiian.

Who qualifies to become 2016 McNair Scholars?