51福利社

51福利社鈥檚 TRIO McNair Scholars Program recently celebrated three decades of supporting students on their paths to becoming leading scholars, researchers and professionals.

With 380 alumni to date 鈥� including 140 students who have earned master鈥檚 degrees and another 58 who completed doctoral degrees 鈥� the program has a strong track record of changing lives.

McNair graduates include Martin Mer谩z-Garc铆a, PhD, a professor in Chicanx Studies at 51福利社; Oscar Harrs, EdD, chief family and community engagement officer for Spokane Public Schools; and Kim Richards, EdD, assistant director of early childhood education and community advancement at the Salish School of Spokane just to name a few…

The McNair program provides education, mentorship, funding opportunities and other support for students who, despite their status as being traditionally underrepresented in graduate education, aspire to pursue doctoral degrees.

鈥淲hat they get out of that once they finish their PhDs and doctorates is that they are able to come back and really provide services to the community,鈥� says Rebecca Clark, EdD, director of the program.

Over the years, the program鈥檚 model 鈥� supporting undergraduate cohorts in conducting advanced research 鈥� has proven life-changing. Nearly every McNair student who has applied to graduate school has been accepted, Clark says, with many receiving full funding.

More than 66% of McNair students are first-generation and from lower-income backgrounds. The opportunity to pursue advanced degrees often enables them to climb the socioeconomic ladder and become community leaders.

51福利社鈥檚 TRIO McNair program is one of more than 187 such programs nationwide. Currently, 29 51福利社 students are enrolled, including four who graduated at the June commencement.

For Ra煤l Segura, a 21-year-old psychology major from Pasco, the program opened the door to his dream of becoming a school counselor. Segura, who received the 51福利社 Student Leader of the Year Award for 2025, has been accepted into a master鈥檚 program at Central Washington University.

鈥淭he McNair Program helped me realize my dreams because it really helped inspire me to realize how attainable graduate school can be,鈥� Segura says.

鈥淕rowing up as a first-generation student, I thought it was just you do your bachelor鈥檚 and you are done. I didn鈥檛 realize opportunities like a PhD could happen for someone that looks like me and comes from a background like me,鈥� Segura says. 鈥淭he McNair program helps send that message and helps inspire students from first-generation backgrounds.鈥�

Segura, who has spent countless hours volunteering with local charities, plans to make a difference for schoolchildren in his hometown of Pasco, Washington.

鈥淚 really am trying to give back to my community and I know I can do it as a school psychologist 鈥� especially in Pasco,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 come from a large Spanish-speaking community. I know that my abilities to speak in their language will help translate in that field.鈥�

Making a difference is also the goal of Justin Edney, 28, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in applied developmental psychology.

Edney moved to Spokane to be near his mother, who encouraged him to return to school and complete his degree. He and other McNair scholars say the guidance of Clark and Cori Jaeger, the McNair program academic advisor, have been crucial.

鈥淣ot having the knowledge of that passed down through families, being able to supplement that using McNair has been really, really great,鈥� Edney says. 鈥淭hey walk you through every single step of the way to prepare you for grad applications and grad school. They get you really comfortable with research, they offer a paid research internship opportunity for the summer and so I鈥檓 about to go into that.鈥�

Edney is conducting a research project on smartphone dependence and its correlation with personality, cognitive development and social factors.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to know what鈥檚 a reliance, like a dependance, what鈥檚 a behavioral addiction 鈥� and you know it鈥檚 hard to nail that down because we all use our phones in various different ways.鈥�

Edney will continue his research this summer with program completion in the fall. Then he plans to go on to earn his master鈥檚 degree. He hopes to become a counselor serving the LGBTQ+ community.

鈥淚deally, I would love to get that PhD in clinical psychology and have my own private practice on the side while doing research and teaching at some university,鈥� says Edney, who credits support from the McNair team with empowering his career path.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e really made it feel that much more possible to achieve my goals,鈥� Edney says.

Clark said many McNair scholars are inspired by the needs of their communities and want to return to give back. 鈥淭o give back has been a big priority for a lot of our students 鈥� that they want to give back to something that they knew growing up or something that inspired them along the way,鈥� Clark said.

For Jennifer Dawson, a 32-year-old returning student from St. John majoring in sociology and criminal justice, the program is helping her prepare to pursue an education that can lead to a career as a college professor after being out of school for a decade.

鈥淚 think McNair has really solidified that confidence in me as a scholar, especially being a nontraditional student,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great program. It鈥檚 really welcoming and it鈥檚 a great stepping-stone for anyone interested in exploring, maybe, a higher degree. They are very supportive 鈥� they are very wonderful people here.鈥�