McNair faculty mentors

Heidi Barajas, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD)
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

"We all benefit by the diversity historically marginalized students bring to our research tables, to our perceptions and to our ability to connect to the greater community. I know that my academic work as a researcher, professor and Dean is enhanced by working with the McNair Scholars program."

Samuel Myers, Ph.D.

Director and Professor
Roy Wilkins Center of Human Relations and Social Justice
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

"As an academic I value the McNair Program for its commitment to academic excellence and as an important and effective vehicle for recruiting low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students. The McNair Program does an excellent job preparing students to pursue and successfully obtain advanced degrees. I have been very impressed by the high academic standards to which these students aspire and have developed a deep respect and appreciation for McNair staff."

Chris Uggen, Ph.D.

Professor and McKnight Presidential Fellow
Department of Sociology
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

“McNair scholars work with faculty on areas of mutual interest alongside a faculty member and her or his research team. They are not cast adrift to work on their own, so they get a much more intensive experience. Frankly, I think some of the best teaching and mentoring in my University occurs over the summer as part of the McNair program.”