Remarkable effort and determination have paid dividends for two College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences students. Nicole Young and Elizabeth Janeiro were chosen for the 2015 class of McNair Scholars as members of an elite program that began at WVU in 1999.
A federally-funded TRIO program, McNair Scholars helps high-achieving first-generation and underrepresented students prepare for graduate school. McNair Scholars serves students through financial assistance, academic guidance and counseling and undergraduate research opportunities.
“I was extremely excited that I had been selected,” explained Young. “I was very proud that the hard work that I had done while in school was being acknowledged and I was honored that the McNair staff had seen the potential in me to do well in such a prestigious program.”
As members of the 16th cohort at WVU to earn this scholarship, Young and Janeiro will receive placement assistance, development opportunities to help them gain admission to a graduate school and a $2,400 annual stipend.
“After graduate school, I see myself working at a rehabilitation facility. I hope to help those with substance addiction to recover. I believe that they can recover and contribute to their communities,” said Janeiro.
The scholars recently finished their summer internship classes and attended the SUNYBuffalo Undergraduate Research Conference in July to help prepare for graduate school. They will con-tinue to conduct their proposed research with WVU faculty mentors during the 2015-2016 academic year.