Ryan Finner, a dedicated McNair Scholar and first-generation college student, will graduate this June 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies), along with minors in Anthropology and Psychology. This fall, Ryan will begin his PhD in Sociology at the University of Oregon, where he aims to further his passion for research and advocacy. As an Academic Coach at PLUS, Ryan has shown a deep commitment to fostering inclusive environments for marginalized communities and aspires to become a university professor. His academic journey is marked by impactful research, including summer work on how multilingual college students navigate academic spaces, and current research from a DuBoisian perspective on how Black communities revitalize cultural spaces in response to gentrification. Ryan’s interests span race and ethnicity, social inequalities, housing policy, environmental justice, and urban sociology. Through his pursuit of a PhD, Ryan is dedicated to using research and education to create meaningful change and to advance inclusive policies within higher education and beyond. We are so proud of you, Ryan!
For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/ryan-finner/
