Alvin Monte’ Curry
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — The TRIO McNair Scholars program at Winthrop University is helping many first-generation and low-income college students prepare for graduate school and research opportunities, especially for those interested in earning doctoral degree.

The program “prepares first generation and low-income undergraduates with strong potential to succeed in doctoral programs by providing high quality research experiences, graduate admissions support, graduate funding assistance and more,” according to the group’s website.

Applications for the program are typically due during the fall semester with a Nov. 1 deadline.

The federally funded program is available at Winthrop through a renewable TRiO grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Winthrop’s program is currently funded through September 2028.

“The Winthrop McNair Scholars Program has an outstanding research award record,” said Cheryl Fortner-Wood, director of the Winthrop McNair Scholars program. “Our students do so well at this conference. Then we come back in the fall, we begin prepping students for either summer research elsewhere or working on their graduate applications.”

According to Winthrop, 38 McNair alumni have earned a doctoral degree, at least 115 alumni have earned at least one graduate or professional degree and 98% of participants are currently enrolled or have earned a bachelor’s degree.

Many TRIO students say the mentorship they receive plays a major role in their academic and career success.

“We are mentored by our academic counselors such as Mrs. Wolf and Precious McFadden,” said Claire Meuret, a member of the TRIO Program.

Wood said students interested in joining should submit their applications in the fall before the deadline to be considered.

“Applications are (typically) due Nov. 1. We will accept applications after that time, but the only way to guarantee being accepted or being selected for this year would be if they get their applications in by Nov. 1st,” Wood said.

The TRIO McNair Program is located in Dinkins Hall, where students can learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

The McNair Scholars program is named after Dr. Ronald McNair, an astronaut and physicist from Lake City, S.C., who was killed in the Challenger disaster.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Challenger accident that killed seven astronauts.

* Editor’s note: This story was originally filed during the fall 2025 semester.