McNair Scholars Program fuels research success and future ambitions

McNair Scholars Program fuels research success and future ambitions

Emma Wittman never imagined she'd be flying to North Carolina to present her research.

She didn't expect strangers to stop, study her poster and praise her work.

And she certainly didn't think her work would take first place among peers from across the country.

But this spring, all of that happened - thanks to her experience in the McNair Scholars Program, a federally-funded TRIO program offered on the UWL campus. The McNair Scholars program is one of only about 200 Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Programs nationwide.

Designed to support low-income, first-generation students and those from groups historically underrepresented in graduate education, the McNair program provides faculty mentorship, undergraduate research opportunities and preparation for graduate school for 28 students per year. At UW-La Crosse, the program is helping students like Wittman pursue their dreams of attending graduate school and making impacts on their profession.

The UWL McNair program was entering the third year of a five-year grant this fall when federal TRIO funding began to get disrupted nationwide. It was unclear whether their allocated funding would be released by the U.S. Department of Education for 2025-26 until just a few days before the year started. Learning that funding would continue into fall 2025 was an "enormous relief," says UWL McNair Scholars Program Director Adrienne Loh. "We feel fortunate. Continued funding was withdrawn for nearly 9% of McNair programs across the nation, impacting about 6,000 students."

The impact of the UWL program is substantial. McNair Scholars consistently achieve retention and graduation rates more than 20 percentage points higher than the overall UWL population, and many go on to graduate and professional programs across the country.

"We fill gaps that exist for these students and help them reach their full potential," Loh says.

That impact was on full display in March, when eight UWL scholars presented at the National McNair Research Symposium at North Carolina A&T University - and three earned top awards.

For Wittman, a political science major, the experience was both affirming and transformative.

"We talk about struggling with imposter syndrome in McNair," she says. "The program has helped me see that if random strangers find value in my work, then there must be something there."

Through McNair, Wittman and her fellow scholars have toured graduate schools, presented research and built skills essential for graduate study - from writing personal statements and grant proposals to analyzing data, reviewing literature and refining their work through multiple revisions.

"It's a taste of the scholarly world," she says. "It can be exhausting, but it's also eye-opening. If I can do this now, I know I'm capable of doing it as a graduate student."

A key part of the experience that the McNair program offers is pairing scholars with a faculty member in their field of study who is an established scholar and trained in effective mentoring. Wittman has been working closely with her faculty mentor Kristina LaPlant, assistant professor of Political Science & Public Administration, since the spring 2025 semester.

"I have so much respect for her, but I don't feel intimidated," Wittman says. "I can ask her anything - about research or life - and she's always looking out for my best interests."

With LaPlant's guidance, Wittman developed a research project examining how political and state-level factors shape diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public universities. Her mixed-methods study analyzes how characteristics such as legislative control, education levels and demographics relate to whether campus DEI offices are maintained, restructured or eliminated. She also explores how different messaging strategies - particularly economic versus moral framing - may influence public support for DEI and reduce political polarization.

The project's timeliness - and rigor - resonated.

Learning she had won first place at the NCA&T symposium was "shocking," Wittman says, recalling the range of impressive presentations, many from STEM fields. The moment was made even more meaningful by the success of her peers: UWL students earned three of nine awards at the symposium.

"We really dominated," she says with a laugh. "I bleed maroon and gray."

Beyond the recognition, Wittman values the broader impact of her work.

"I'm humbled that people of different ages, identities and backgrounds could see themselves in this project," she says. "It felt bigger than me."

Wittman joined McNair as a sophomore, unsure of what to expect.

"There were so many more opportunities than I imagined," she says.

Originally from Clintonville, Wisconsin, she once saw her future narrowly defined by a career in law. Now, her experiences have expanded that vision - and her sense of what's possible.

"It's taught me what I'm capable of and helped me better understand my values," she says. "Every time I travel somewhere new through McNair, I realize how much more there is to explore. It's changed everything I thought I would do - and changed me for the better."

Wittman, who also serves as president of the UWL Student Association, is considering either a gap year working in local government or pursuing a doctoral degree in public policy or law.

She encourages other students to explore the program.

"Whether you're in STEM, the humanities or still figuring things out, McNair helps you find your research identity - what you're passionate about and what keeps you going," she says.

In the McNair office, a map traces where McNair graduates have gone for graduate school, with strings stretching across the country.

"I think I'll need another map," Loh says with a laugh.

Loh emphasizes that continued federal funding and institutional support for TRIO programs like McNair and Student Support Services is essential for student success. These programs provide supports and opportunities that first generation and other underserved populations really struggle to find elsewhere.

"Our students are high-achieving, high-potential leaders - often deeply involved on campus and in their communities," she adds. "The long-term impact isn't just what they accomplish at UWL, but who they become and the ripple effect they create."

Now in her 30th year at UWL, Loh calls her work with McNair one of the most meaningful chapters of her career.

"To be part of something that is truly transformational for students from so many different backgrounds - that's the perfect capstone," she says.

Learn more about the McNair Scholars Program.