Wayne State University has recently been awarded a four-year, $880,000, grant from the United States Department of Education for the Ronald E. McNair Graduate Achievement Program. The Department of Education says the purpose of the "McNair Scholars Program is to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement with faculty mentors, summer research opportunities and other scholarly activities."

McNair participants are from underrepresented backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. Institutions work closely with these participants through their junior and senior years, encourage and support entrance into graduate studies and track their progress towards completion of advanced degrees. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented segments of society who receive a PhD. Wayne State's Academic College Enrichment Services (ACCESS) department will administer the McNair Scholars Program. The ACCESS department consists of seven programs that annually promote educational opportunity and academic development among 6,000 disadvantaged young people and adults who have the skills and motivation to succeed in higher education.

If you would like more information about the McNair Program or ACCESS, please contact Henry L. Robinson, Director of Academic College Enrichment Services at (313) 577-5050.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.

Contact the Public Relations home page on the WEB for university experts, news updates and Campus News.