(upbeat music)
Student: There's so many different choices
that we're faced with as an undergrad
and especially a first generation undergraduate student.
Student: McNair means to me,
opportunities and scientific discovery within a community
that I wouldn't necessarily have the access to
or the opportunity to be a part of.
Student: I definitely do feel that the McNair Program
has helped me a ton in preparing for graduate school.
-: McNair has supported my goals
by giving me all the knowledge
that I need to advance myself in the world of education.
-: The most important thing that I learned
from working with Dr. Harris
and from managing my own research project
within the McNair Program
is the idea of having a support system that can be with you
in and outside of the classroom as well.
Student: To me, McNair is all about community
and helping you again as an individual,
achieving your goals.
-: I remember when I was a freshman,
I definitely didn't have the confidence
to really get into graduate school or do research,
but it's definitely possible for anyone who wants to join.
Student: The part that's most beneficial with working
with a faculty mentor is you have a real expert
in your field and any question that you need answered
is going to be answered with honesty
and lots of experience behind it.
You get to ask questions about what it is
to live the life of an engineer or a professor.
Student: McNair is one of, I would say probably
the most impactful part of my college experience
because it aids specifically in my intellectual development
with a bunch of other young scientific learners.
I can look at McNair and say that this is the reason
why I want to pursue what I wanna pursue
and have the confidence to pursue it as well.
(upbeat music)