1. The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
The History and Legacy of
Dr. Ronald E. McNair

2. Dr. Ronald E. McNair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okF5UGpivR8

3. Personal
Ronald Erwin McNair born October 21, 1950 was an American physicist and NASA astronaut. He was survived by his wife Cheryl and two children.

4. Education
Dr. McNair received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1976.

5. Organizations
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
The American Optical Society (AOS)
The American Physical Society (APS)
The APS Committee on Minorities in Physics
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Board of Trustees
The MIT Corporation Visiting Committee
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

6. Awards/Special Honors
Posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor
Graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T (1971)
Presidential Scholar ( )
Ford Foundation Fellow ( )
National Fellowship Fund Fellow ( )
NATO Fellow (1975)
Winner Omega Psi Phi Scholar of the Year Award (1975)
National Society of Black Professional Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award (1979)
Who’s Who Among Black Americans (1980)

7. Research Experience
While at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. McNair performed some of the earliest development of chemical HF/DF and high-pressure CO lasers.

8. NASA
McNair was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January Sadly, as a mission specialist on STS 51-L, Dr. McNair died on January 28, 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

9. The McNair Scholars Program
Began in 1986 in memory of his legacy
30 year anniversary was January 2016
Approximately 150 programs nationwide
Designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through various scholarly activities

10. UC McNair Scholars Program
Started in 2003 with 24 scholars
Currently, six scholars in the pipeline for doctoral degrees with our most recent graduate – Dr. James Walker, 2017 PhD in Chemistry from Iowa State University
To date, has served over 150 scholars

11. “Whether or not you reach your goals in life depends entirely on how well you prepare for them and how badly you want them. You're eagles! Stretch your wings and fly to the sky.”
Ronald E. McNair, PhD

12. The Realities of Graduate School
Graduate school or not?
Identify programs and institutions
Complete graduate school applications
Applying for financial assistance
Take graduate school admissions test
Statement of Purpose
Recommendations
The waiting period
Thank you’s
If not accepted…