The Native American Studies program in conjunction with the McNairs Scholars Program hosted an open house on Tuesday, Jan. 28, inviting interested students to come and learn about their offerings in order to promote several openings in the scholars program. 

The McNairs Scholar Program works with students who are in underrepresented segments of society and seeks to help them pursue a graduate degree.

“We want to work with students who are motivated. Our target population includes students who are first generation students, meaning none of their parents had a bachelors degree, or students with strong financial need,” Director of the McNair Scholars Program, Heather Pickett said.

The program is recruiting current sophomores so students can begin participating their junior year. The program assists scholars in developing study habits, growing their research skills, applying to graduate schools and connecting them with a faculty member to work with on a research project. 

Junior criminal justice and Native American studies double major Anthony Cergnul began the program this year.

“The thing I’m looking forward to the most for the program is the networking. I love researching, and I love some of the projects I could be working with, but connecting with the community and relating that back is what I’m looking forward to,” Cergunal said.

Any student currently earning a four-year degree is eligible to join the program.

“I was once told a story of how every person you meet is a possible employer, so it’s always good to have different networking skills and being able to reach out to people in different capacities and disciplines—and being able to bounce ideas off of them mainly,” Cergnul explained. 

The program is accepting applications throughout each fall semester.