TRIO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Eastern Washington University

News

EWU McNair Scholar Richard Murphy Selected for the Jeffers Chertok Memorial Scholarship

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selected for the Jeffers Chertok Memorial ScholarshipCongratulations to new EWU McNair Scholar Richard Murphy! Richard has been selected by the EWU College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences to receive the Jeffers Chertok Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship was created to honor the life of Professor Jeffers W. Chertok, PhD, who worked at EWU for more than 34 years. He was well known on campus for his scholarship, generosity and passion for Eastern. Dr. Chertok passed away in 2004, but his legacy towards EWU continues with this scholarship.

Richard is an undergraduate student with declared majors in Philosophy, Political Science, and International Affairs with an emphasis on Global Socio-Economic Development and a minor in Spanish. Richard serves as Vice President of both the Philosophy Club and the International Affairs Community at EWU, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches to our most sophisticated and pressing issues of the 21st Century. As a student ambassador with the People-to-People program, Richard experienced first-hand how traveling to other countries can diversify one’s exposure, and has translated that into his studies in International Affairs. Under the mentorship of Professor Tom Hawley, PhD, Richard plans to focus his 2022 McNair summer research project on the phenomena of societal internalization of Neoliberalism, and the consequences of establishing competitive markets in historically non-marketed realms of our lives.

 

EWU McNair Scholar Edith Melendez Accepted to Northern Arizona University PhD Program

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Edith Melendez accepted by Northern Arizona University Doctoral Program in Combined Counseling, School PsychologyCongratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Edith Melendez! Edith has been accepted as a doctoral student at Northern Arizona University in the Combined School/Counseling Psychology program. Edith graduated from EWU in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Developmental Psychology with minors in Psychology and Spanish. As a McNair Scholar, Edith worked with Dr. Shanna Davis on a research project titled Developing a Support Center without Borders: Enhancing Services for Students Without Documentation.

She was then accepted to five graduate programs: San Jose State University, University of Arizona, New Mexico State University, Penn State, Harrisburg, and Oregon State University. She began attending New Mexico State University in the fall of 2018. Edith currently holds an Ed.S. and serves as a licensed school psychologist at the Gadsden Independent School District.

The EWU McNair staff are excited for Edith and we know she will contribute high quality, impactful research in her graduate program. Click here to read more about Edith and her achievements during her time as a McNair Scholar.

13 McNair Scholars Present at EWU’s 2022 Student Research & Creative Works Symposium

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13 McNair Scholars Present at EWU’s 2022 Student Research & Creative Works SymposiumOn May 11, EWU held the 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. The Symposium has been held virtually for the last two years, and being back in person allowed for a different level of engagement as scholars discussed their research (both proposed and completed) with fellow students, faculty, and the EWU community. Many scholars shared their work in poster format in the PUB, while others had the opportunity to give longer talks to packed classrooms. McNair scholars shared their experiences with us for this article.

 

Graduating McNair scholar Lucia Roussa:

After a long couple of years of virtual meetings it was really nice to see all of the other student projects in one room. It felt so rewarding that so many people were interested in my research. Poster sessions are really great because they allow people to take in the information at their own pace. I had people leave and come back with more questions, which tells me that they were thinking about my poster even after they left! I really enjoyed being a part of an energetic room of student researchers.

New McNair scholar Alexander Dodson:

Presenting at Eastern Washington University's Research and Creative Works Symposium was an amazing opportunity. Everyone was super kind and excited for me to tell them about the research I am doing. I would recommend everyone attend or present at the symposium!

New McNair scholar Arcelia Madrigal:

I loved presenting at the symposium because it was a lot more personal since I had my professors and friends visit my poster. I was able to see the creative work of those in my community.

The mission of the federally-funded TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at EWU is to increase diversity in academia by supporting first-generation and low-income and/or students underrepresented at the graduate level who plan to go on to earn a PhD. When scholars from diverse backgrounds become leaders in their fields, they bring forth exciting and relevant research questions. They grow to be role-models, increasing both representation and opportunities for future students. The 13 McNair scholars who presented at the symposium reflect the many different areas of study where our scholars are gaining expertise.

 

We are consistently impressed with the breadth and depth EWU’s McNair scholars bring to their research, and we look forward to experiencing the impact of their work!

 

Haili Poss presents her research proposal poster, Sex Guilt and Attitudes towards Sex Work.
Badradin Mohammed presents his research proposal poster, Water Politics: A Case Study of Hydro Politics Among Nile River Stakeholders.
Arcelia Madrigal presents her research poster, An Analysis of Character: Strong’s PurposeFull People Program Components.
Katie Gower presents her research, Policy & Practice: Investigating Homelessness Discourse in Spokane, Washington.
Alexander Dodson presents his research poster, Potential Effects of the American and Pride Flag on Our Judgments of Others.
Malek Chreiki presents his research proposal poster, Design and Delivery of Gamma-Retroviral CRISPR Plasmids
Serena Camacho presents her research poster, Understanding the Role Gender Might be Playing in Your Child's ASD Evaluation.
Saul Bautista presents his research proposal poster, Honduran Tribes and their Historical Erosion.
Lucia Roussa presents her research poster, Freshwater Sponges in Eastern Washington: Environmental Constraints, Species Composition, and Associated Photobionts.
Christina Hudson presents her research poster, Transforming Yourself Through English.
Ashley Destin presents her research poster, Feline Red Blood Cell Shape and the Impacts of Cytauxzoonosis.
Saul Bautista presents his research proposal poster, Honduran Tribes and their Historical Erosion.
Arcelia Madrigal presents her research poster, An Analysis of Character: Strong’s PurposeFull People Program Components.
Lucia Roussa presents her research poster, Freshwater Sponges in Eastern Washington: Environmental Constraints, Species Composition, and Associated Photobionts.
Alexander Dodson presents his research poster, Potential Effects of the American and Pride Flag on Our Judgments of Others.
Haili Poss presents her research proposal poster, Sex Guilt and Attitudes towards Sex Work.

EWU McNair Scholar Lucia Roussa Receives Excellence in Academic Achievement Award

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Excellence in Academic Achievement Award from EWU’s Environmental Science ProgramCongratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Lucia Roussa! Lucia has been selected by the faculty of the Environmental Science Program to receive the “Excellence in Academic Achievement Award” for 2022. Lucia’s professors remarked about her active pursuit of undergraduate research experiences, success in obtaining competitive summer research opportunities external to EWU, and experience as a McNair scholar to further prepare herself for her goal of attending graduate school and ultimately becoming a research scientist. Her professors noted that she executed a successful project on aquatic invertebrates at Turnbull Scholar in summer 2020 despite the COVID-19 constraints, and that she is currently in the midst of an exciting project examining the algal symbionts of freshwater sponges using molecular techniques.

Lucia is double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology at EWU. Her research interests include Phycology, marine microbiology, and conservation science in coastal marine ecosystems. In 2021, Lucia participated in an EWU McNair Summer Research Internship under the mentorship of Dr. Camille McNeely, Professor of Biology, where she investigated the relationship between freshwater algal abundance and diversity by analyzing the eutrophication of wetlands in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. She then went on to work with Dr. Jessica Allen to analyze the phylogeny of freshwater sponges across greater Eastern Washington.

Lucia was one of only 13 interns selected for an internship quantifying Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia labiata) using aerial photographs with CICOES (Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies) through the University of Washington under mentor Dr. Julie Keister. Lucia was invited to continue participating in this research.

Lucia will begin attending North Carolina State University’s Doctoral program in Marine, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences in Fall 2022.

EWU McNair Scholar Malek Chreiki Awarded Schwalm Scholarship

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Malek Chreiki Receives 2022 Schwalm ScholarshipCongratulations to new EWU McNair Scholar Malek Chreiki! Malek has been selected to receive the 2022 Schwalm Scholarship through the EWU Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics. The committee was impressed with Malek’s academic achievements, dedication to interdisciplinary research and community service work.

This upcoming summer, Malek will be researching Design and delivery of Gamma-Retroviral CRISPR Plasmids with faculty mentor Dr. Jason Ashley. Malek presented his research proposal poster for this project at EWU’s 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Symposium.

Malek is double majoring in Biology with Biotech Option and Physics along with a minor in Organic Chemistry at Eastern Washington University. His goal is to earn a PhD in molecular biology to research and develop novo genetic engineering biotech products.

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson Selected for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award

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Christina Hudson selected for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor AwardCongratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson! Christina has been selected for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award.

The Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have demonstrated a commitment to their education through outstanding academic achievement with a minimum of a 3.75 GPA in their previous 4 quarters and through leadership and service to the community.

Christina is a first-generation university student double majoring in English studies and Africana studies, and minoring in religious studies. She currently holds a 3.98 GPA. Christina completed an EWU McNair Summer Research Internship in 2021 under the mentorship of Associate Professor Okera Nsombi titled The Characterization of African Religions. She recently presented this research at the National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates 2022 Virtual Conference, held online. Christina serves as the ASEWU Diversity Representative. Based on her work in this role, her outstanding academic record, and her regular contributions to organizations such as BlackPast.org, Christina was invited to participate in building a curriculum for next year’s required staff trainings in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under Senate Bill 5227.

Christina will begin her PhD studies in Africology and African American Studies at Temple University next fall. Read about all of Christina’s accomplishments as a McNair Scholar here.