Twenty-three University of Texas at Arlington students have been selected for the McNair Scholars Program , a competitive Department of Education program that prepares undergraduates for academic research careers.
“The McNair Scholars Program has proven to be a great way for undergraduate students considering a career in academia to see firsthand how scientific research is conducted and the real-world impacts that can come from it,” said Kayunta Johnson-Winters, director of undergraduate research at UTA and an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
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The program gives students the opportunity to work with internationally recognized researchers while refining their analytical, writing and communications skills—essential for success in graduate studies. As part of the federal TRIO program , the McNair Scholars Program has helped 900,000 students nationwide pursue advanced degrees.
Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and have a strong interest in pursuing a doctorate. A key component is a summer internship where students receive a stipend to collaborate with established researchers, gaining firsthand experience in how university scientists tackle real-world challenges , such as advancing heart disease research or developing stronger materials for aircraft.
“The program fosters a sense of community among our scholars, providing them with a network of support and encouragement while offering opportunities for faculty-mentored research, conference travel, and assistance with submitting applications and being accepted into some of the nation's most prestigious institutions,” said Ricardo Garza, director of UTA’s McNair Scholars Program. “Our goal is to ensure confidence that these students are able to pursue their academic dreams."
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The program is named for physicist and astronaut Ronald E. McNair , the second Black astronaut in U.S. history and one of the seven astronauts killed in the space shuttle Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986. His brother Carl, who established the McNair Scholars Program, visited UTA recently to speak to students and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
The lesson is don’t self-select out of an opportunity,” McNair said. “It may be uncomfortable sometimes but seize the opportunity. You definitely won’t win the opportunity if you don’t apply.”
Meet the 23 UTA scholars :
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.