{"id":37786,"date":"2024-07-02T12:13:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/?page_id=37786"},"modified":"2025-11-26T09:26:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T17:26:41","slug":"ryan-finner","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/ryan-finner\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Finner"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ryan Finner<\/h1>\n\n\n
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Ryan Finner<\/strong> is a first-generation college student, graduating in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies) with minors in Anthropology and Psychology. As an Academic Coach at PLUS, Ryan is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments for marginalized communities. He aspires to become a university professor and to use community-focused techniques for creating inclusive policies. Over the summer, Ryan researched how multilingual college students navigate academic spaces. Ryan\u2019s current research utilizes a DuBosian perspective focuses on how Black communities in Chicago revitalize cultural spaces in response to gentrification. His research interests also include race\/ethnicity, social inequalities, housing policy, environmental justice, and urban sociology. Ryan\u2019s long-term goal is to pursue a PhD in Sociology, using research and education to make a meaningful contribution to society.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2025 McNair Summer Research Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 Faculty Research Mentor: <\/strong>Dr. Julia Smith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic Navigation: The Lived Experiences of Bilingual and Multilingual College Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract:<\/strong> Navigating college is challenging for many students, especially those with diverse language
acquisition experiences. This research examines how bilingual, multilingual, and non-native
English speaker college students navigate academic courses, social spaces and institutional
barriers in U.S. public universities. Drawing from linguistic and cultural anthropology and
sociology, it explores the interplay between language, identity, and academic success. Using
qualitative methods primarily semi-structured interviews and textual analysis, this study aims to
center student voices to propose more inclusive policies and strategies for students, faculty and
administrators. The research asks: (1) How do linguistically diverse college students navigate
academic environments? (2) What successes and challenges do students encounter? (3) What
strategies are used to overcome or highlight the experiences of these students?
Keywords: Bilingual, Multilingual, Non-Native English Speakers, Higher Education, College
Students, Qualitative Methods<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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Check out Ryan’s Article!!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Check out Ryan’s article regarding his journey at EWU and his experiences of learning more about his culture throughout it!<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Celebrating Ryan Finner: Accepted to the University of New Mexico\u2019s PhD Program in Sociology!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

The EWU McNair community is thrilled to announce that Ryan Finner, one of our outstanding scholars, has been accepted into the PhD program in Sociology at the University of New Mexico, with a specialization in Race and Ethnicity. Ryan\u2019s academic journey is truly inspiring. As a first-generation college student, Ryan will graduate in Spring 2026 … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Ryan Finner, McNair Scholar Accepted to Oregon State University\u2019s Master of Public Policy Program!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

We are thrilled to announce that Ryan Finner, a dedicated and accomplished student, has been accepted into the prestigious Master of Public Policy program at Oregon State University. Ryan\u2019s acceptance is a testament to his academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to advancing inclusive policies within higher education and beyond. Ryan will graduate in Spring 2026 … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Ryan Finner, McNair Scholar Admitted to DePaul University, M.A. in Critical Ethnic Studies!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

We are thrilled to announce that Ryan Finner, a dedicated and passionate student, has been accepted into the Master of Arts program in Critical Ethnic Studies at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Ryan, a first-generation college student, will be graduating in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies), as well … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Ryan Finner, McNair Scholar attends the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 33rd Annual McNair & Undergraduate Research National Conference!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Ryan Finner, a dedicated McNair Scholar, attended the 33rd Annual McNair & Undergraduate Research National Conference at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) from September 17-20th, 2025. At this prestigious national gathering, Ryan also delivered a poster presentation titled \u201cAcademic Navigation: The Lived Experiences of Bilingual and Multilingual College Students.\u201d Under the guidance of … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Another Great Summer of Research at McNair: Summer 2025!<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Summer Research at McNair 2025: The Eastern Washington University (EWU) McNair Scholars Program is proud to announce the successful completion of its 2025 Summer Research Internship. This year, 19 participants engaged in a diverse range of research topics, from the experiences of stigma in foster care\/adopted children, imposter syndrome in students of color in graduate … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ryan Finner Ryan Finner is a first-generation college student, graduating in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies) with minors in Anthropology and Psychology. As an Academic Coach at PLUS, Ryan is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments for marginalized communities. He aspires to become a university professor and to use … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26138,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-37786","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37786"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26138"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37786"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38706,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37786\/revisions\/38706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}