McNair program aims to improve disadvantaged students’ preparation for doctoral study

North Coast Current:

San Marcos CA— The California State University San Marcos Corp., a self-supporting auxiliary to CSU San Marcos, recently received more than $200,000 in federal funds geared toward helping disadvantaged students seeking doctoral degrees, the U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday, Aug. 18.
The auxiliary is among 19 private and public California university organizations to receive the funds, according to a Department of Education news release.
The California State University San Marcos Corp., which received a $261,888 grant, is one of three auxiliary groups at CSU San Marcos designed to provide instructional support and services not generally furnished by the state of California, the organization explains on its website.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced 189 new grants totaling $51.7 million to colleges and universities across the country as part of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.
“When we look at U.S. students studying to become our future physicians, professors, scientists and other crucial professionals requiring graduate degrees, many demographic groups are underrepresented, including first-generation college students and those from low-income families,” Nasser Paydar, federal Office of Postsecondary Education assistant secretary said in the news release. “McNair grants fund projects at universities and colleges that help underrepresented students to access doctoral programs.”
In addition to the CSU San Marcos auxiliary, the University of San Diego and UC San Diego Regents also received grants in the amounts of $267,841 and $296,520 respectively.