To increase the representation of minorities and low-income doctoral students, the U.S. Department of Education has sanctioned to the Clark University's Ronald E. McNair program a grant of $1.1 million for the fifth time.

Through McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program the department wants to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by aiding under-represented student groups in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The initiative also includes first-generation low-income individuals and members from racial and ethnic groups historically under-represented in graduate programs.

Clarkson's' McNair program has provided intensive research experience and graduate school preparation to 240 students since its inception. Each year only 24 students are conferred with Clarkson McNair Scholarship, but with the new additional grant 30 students will be served annually.

McNair program of the university, based in Potsdam, New York, has a 98 percent graduation rate; 40 percent have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a master's degree, 20 percent have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a Ph.D; and 6 percent have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a professional degree.

"A tribute to the Clarkson McNair program's success is its strong collaboration with Clarkson faculty, who take the time to mentor McNair scholars through an intensive 10 week summer research project," said Marjorie Warden, Clarkson Project Director of Community of Underrepresented Professional Opportunities in a press release.

"Guidance is provided through the research process with added opportunities for conference presentations, networking and publishing possibilities," she added.

The program is named after African American scientist Ronald McNair who met a tragic end aboard the space shuttle Challenger with the rest of his crew in 1986. As a tribute to his lifelong achievements, Congress and the McNair family formed the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program to assist young people in not only following McNair's path, but in taking the initiative to create their own path.

The program also provides regular workshops on research ethics, the graduate school application process, graduate school funding sources and preparation for the Graduate Record of Exams (GRE) among other related topics.

Along with workshops, seminars are provided to students, featuring Clarkson McNair Alumni presenters who have completed or are in the process of completing their PhD. These speakers provide students with knowledge and guidance on the path to a Ph.D.