Faculty and Staff Recommendation Form
Thank you for assisting the applicant with his/her McNair Scholars Program application. In order to ensure accurate evaluation of the applicant, we request that you complete this electronic form. Your recommendation will be included as part of the applicants application packet. In addition to completing the questions within this recommendation, we ask that you upload a separate letter that addresses the following:
  1. Your association with the applicant.
  2. The applicant's potential for successful entry into graduate school and completion of a doctoral degree.
  3. The applicant's skills and strengths, as well as areas in need of improvement.
  4. Ways in which the McNair Scholars Program may be of greatest benefit to the applicant.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this form, please contact Nicole Stevenson by phone at 405-744-3943, email: McNairScholars@okstate.edu, or in-person in Scott Hall, room 403.
 
A Brief History of the Federal McNair Initiative
Part of the federally funded TRIO programs, the McNair Scholars Program is designed to encourage low- income, first-generation college students and students from groups currently underrepresented in graduate education to pursue a doctoral degree in their chosen field. The McNair Scholars Program honors Dr. Ronald E. McNair, one of seven crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Despite social and economic barriers, Dr. McNair earned many outstanding achievements, such as completing a Ph.D. in Physics from M.I.T. at the age of 26 and was the second African-American to fly in space. Besides, Dr. McNair received many distinguished awards, including the National Ford Foundation Fellowship and the Presidential Scholarship.
 
The Oklahoma State University McNair Scholars Program
Program entry is available to eligible Oklahoma State University students once they have reached 60 credit hours. Students accepted to the Program will participate in a series of seminars courses and workshops that will educate them on many aspects of graduate school and the role of faculty. Participants are also required to be engaged in academic research.

 

The McNair Summer Research Experience is a full-time, eight-week summer fellowship for enrolled program participants. The fellowship provides participants with writing skills workshops and other academic enrichment experiences. In addition, participants are provided with GRE and graduate school preparation workshops, as well as, the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty research advisor/mentor to conduct a research project.

 
After completing the research, participants are required to present their research in a national, regional, state, or local academic forum (e.g. conference, symposium). Also, participants must submit a final scholarly paper of the research work. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to submit their work for publication in a research journal. Seniors are also required to apply to graduate programs, for which they will receive advocacy and application fee waivers, as well as, fee vouchers for the GRE.

If you would like to receive more information regarding our program or if you are a faculty member at Oklahoma State University and you are interested in mentoring a student, please contact our office.

 
Recommender Information
Prefix
First Name *
Last Name *
Title *
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Completing reference on behalf of: (Enter Applicant Info below)
Last Name *
First Name *
Middle Name
CWID *
Email Address *
How long have you know the applicant? *

Please rate the applicant in each attribute/skill listed below compared to other students with whom you have worked with. Consider the applicant's promise as a graduate student in comparison with others of similar experience and training.
(For the instructor of an applicant only.) I would rank this applicant in the top _____% of the undergraduate students I have taught within the last five years.
Please rate the applicant in each attribute skill listed below.
Research aptitude *
Intellectual potential *
Ability to work with others *
Creativity and imagination *
Emotional maturity *
Self-Confidence *
Oral communication skills *
Written communication skills *
Critical thinking skills *
Ability to work independently *
Time management skills *
Academic aptitude and potential for graduate work *
Present academic performance in area of concentration *
Motivation for the pursuit of advanced graduate study *
Would you like more information about the McNair Program? *
Are you interested in serving as a Faculty Mentor to a McNair Scholar? *
Recommender Signature *
Please select a signature verification type.
Date *