On Tuesday March 23rd 2010, I started another field trip by first of all sending emails before spring break to twelve professors in the sciences department and psychology respectively. Out of these numbers, only four of those faculties from the science department replied and one from Psychology. The purpose of the email is to seek permission to enable me go to their classes to talk to students about McNair Scholar Program. I received two positive responses during the break and the others responded also but after the break. And so on March 23, I went to Environmental science class at about 11am and spoke for 10mins. My presentation was well received and various questions were asked. Also, many students took the application and actually showed interest in becoming a scholar. One female student whom I cannot mention her name here says this: “So is this program for poor Americans?”, and my response is “No, the program is for every level and classes of people, and it is also a research based program. You must first of all be interested in doing research and going to graduate school to earn a Master’s /PhD degrees respectively”. Another male student said “I would like to go to graduate school but not here in A&M Commerce”, and I told him that he could go to graduate school anywhere in the country. “You don’t have to be here to get this grant”. I told him.
My experience in that class is different from the other classes I attended. I hope to keep up with the updates as this class progresses.
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I find it interesting that the student asked, "So is this program for poor Americans?” I wonder if there is something there worth examining. I wonder if there is some sort of stigma to a program like this, and if so, why.
ReplyDeleteInteresting experience, and I appreciate your write up!
No many of them ask such questions just for the fun of it. Some of them would even say "If it is for poor Americans, then it is for me because I am poor. I am glad you guys came up with this type of grant". So you see, that is the thing. Also, some would take it personal. But those who understand will not.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, there is absolute no no stigma. The truth is that if you are not a low income person, you could be underreprentated, or first generation student. So the program cuts across everyone and categories.
Thank you for the comment.